HISTORY

The Brazilian style of eating is famous for its grilling of meat, churrasco style.  This began with the Brazilian cowboys called Gauchos. 

Back in the day the Gauchos would end each round-up by gathering for dinner around a large open pit where they would grilll whatever meat they had on hand that day. The boys would learn the art of grilling from their fathers and in this way the churrasco method would be passed down generations with each group adding  new aspects to this culinary art.

This open pit system of outdoor cooking eventually became a Brazilian tradition.
 
Restaurants soon opened along the highways to serve truck drivers who would travel the long roadways bringing agricultural products to the big cities.  Eventually, Churrascarias opened in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro with higher and higher levels of sophistication.
 
Gol! The Taste of Brazil brings unmatched variety and sophistication to the tradition of Brazilian Churrascarias. Aside from a tremendous variety of high quality meats and chicken, we also serve grilled shrimp and salmon.

Our salad bar also offers healthy vegetarian alternatives. Many of these items are low-carb and do not contain trans-fats, such as buttersnut squash soup, vegetable soup, edimame, grilled tofu, hearts of palm, hearts of artichoke, fresh asparagus and many  of other alternatives, fresh every day.

The building that houses GOL! THE TASTE OF BRAZIL  has a very rich and fascinating history..  Constructed in 1925, the Arcade Building, as it was then called, was one of the most magnificent buildings in downtown Delray.  Its imposing façade, beautified by trellises of bougainvillea, towered over Atlantic Avenue and welcomed visitors to walk through its open areas.  It featured barrel-tiled octagonal turrets on the second story above the entrance portal.  A copy of the original drawing made by Samuel Ogden Sr. is on display at GOL! today.

In the thirties, the second floor offices were rented out to famous local cartoonists who wrote for the local Delray newspaper.  Fontaine Fox, who created "Toonerville Trolley" and H.T. Webster, who created  "Casper Miquetoast-The Timid Sole" had offices there.
Soon the building became host to a growing colony of artists and writers.  Even the realtor Clint Moore had an office there.

In 1933 the Arcade and Tap Room was established.  It grew from a sandwich shop to THE place to dine in Delray.  The bar built in 1933 is basically intact today.  The Tap Room became for Southern Florida what the Algonquin Bar was for New York City.

In the 1930's, 1940's and later it developed into a popular mecca for artists, writers and socialites.  The poet Edna St. Vincent Millay led a long list of luminaries who gathered in the late afternoons for stimulating conversations over food and drink.  In the winter, a growing colony of polo players, golfers and political figures would join them.  Dining out in the Arcade Tap room became an elegant and festive occasion.  In the fifties, new management put in the high roof that exists today. 

The sixties and beyond brought problems for the locale and much of its character was lost along the way.  In July of 2006, the present management leased the location and did a total overhaul, partially restoring much of its beauty.  The front doors and wall were knocked down, under the guidance of George Brewer, a well-known Delray architect and the façade has been returned to its old glory.  The old interior roof  has been updated but preserved.  Mirrors have been added to accentuate the height and lines of the interior.  The Cypress wood throughout the ceiling has been restored.  Most importantly, the 78-year-old bar is basically the same as the original.  See if you can find the chair that
Winston Churchill used when he would drink to the early morning during his retirement!!

(Our thanks to the Delray Beach Historical Society for so much information about the Arcade and Tap Room)