Dinner & a Movie

Jason Kohn's documentary "Manda Bala" ("Send a Bullet"), which is being released this weekend, follows vigilantes, criminals, and do-gooders who struggle to deal with the violence that is currently cropping up in Brazil because of stresses between upper and lower economic classes.

While the film contains some deeply disturbing scenes, there are many more aspects to Brazilian life and culture that are truly enjoyable, and can be celebrated in this city — especially during the summer. Sipping on a caipirinha and snacking on feijao, Dinner and a Movie takes a trip through Brazilian New York.

DINNER

Churrascaria Plataforma is perhaps the biggest rodizio restaurant in Manhattan: Rodizio refers to Brazilian-style barbecue, which features every imaginable cut of a wide variety of meats, as well as a smattering of fish dishes. Waiters push the house caipirinhas at the start, and the prix fixe meal begins with a trip to the salad bar, which features much more than cucumbers and carrots. The bar also offers sushi, octopus salad, shrimp cocktail, and hot items including feijão, a traditional Portuguese dish including rice, beans, and sausage. (316 W. 49th St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues, 212-245-0505)

Plataforma's not the only rodizio restaurant in the Manhattan: There's also its downtown sister restaurant, Churrascaria Riodizio TriBeCa (221 W. Broadway, between Franklin and White streets, 212-925-6969), and Porcao Churrascaria (360 Park Ave. South at 26th Street, 212-252-7080). Diners in Queens can head to either Churrascaria Girassol in Astoria (33-18 28th Ave., between 33rd and 34th streets, 718-545-8250) or Green Field Churrascaria in Corona. (108-01 Northern Blvd. at 108th Street, Corona, Queens, 718-672-5202)

Those who don't want a crack at an all-you-can-eat-in-meat experience can still indulge in other aspects of traditional Brazilian cuisine. Delicia Brasil in the West Village serves up its own version of feijão (which the restaurant spells felfoada), as well as bolinho de bacalhau, or codfish croquettes, and frango ao maracuja, chicken cooked with passion fruit juice, onions, and tomatoes. (322 W. 11th St., between Greenwich and Washington streets, 212-242-2002)

In Long Island City, Malagueta caters to Queens's growing Brazilian community, offering salpic ão, a salad with shredded chicken and ham, raisins, and carrots. A popular appetizer features linguiça sausages served with a savory combination of mayonnaise and yucca fries. (25-35 36th Ave. at 28th Street, Astoria, Queens, 718-937-4821)

FAMILY

Need to plan for a children's activity while scheduling your dinner and movie plans for Saturday? Before checking out screening times for "Manda Bala," you can take your children to the Arte Capoeira Center's Saturday children's class. Capoeira is a Brazilian sport that combines martial arts with dance. It was first created by enslaved Africans in the 19th century, and has since become popular on college campuses and in dance studios. Families can sign up for a series of children's capoeira classes, or pay for each session individually. (Saturday, noon–1 p.m. for children ages 4–7, 1–2 p.m. for children ages 8–12, Arte Capoeira Center, 1 E. 28th St., between Fifth and Madison avenues, second floor, 212-431-0811, $10 a class, $120 for class package)