A neighborhood favorite, Café Brazil, has a new location and a new look, while a new face, the Health Nut Café, deserves a look.

Café Brazil, which has become a Lakewood standby in just two years, has made what seems like a painless transformation to its new, larger home in the old LeCours Blue Front building. The café’s faithful have followed and are waiting in line despite the restaurant’s increased seating.

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Café Brazil’s new look is tropical, with turquoise and melon-colored walls and colorful wall frescoes.

The menu also has a bit of a new look, with a number of dinner specials that cost more than the usual $5 to $8 a dish. However, the regular (and unique) breakfasts and sandwiches are still around, and the Brazilian breakfast – beef empanada with Hollandaise sauce, eggs and home fries – is still a favorite.

One other thing hasn’t changed. Although there are more waitresses, they are still very laid back in their timing.

The Health Nut is a pristine little place stuck in the middle of a shopping center, but don’t let its location fool you. The food and the prices are well worth it.

The spot appears to have been occupied by an ice cream shop before it was the Health Nut. The counter still has the windowed ice cream display, but the place is bright and cheery with white curtains.

You don’t need to be a health nut to enjoy this place. The food is well-prepared, and while some of it may be different – how many people eat tabouli or falafel regularly? – it is a difference worth experiencing. Even the more traditional items, such as the popular turkey breast sandwich, are made with a twist.

Prices for lunch are an especially good value. Nothing on the menu costs more than $5.95. The combination of food and price make the Health Nut worth a visit.

News & Notes

LET’S DO BRUNCH: The Lakewood El Chico is now open for brunch on weekends. Hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

NEW OWNER: Curry in a Hurry on Bryan, which was one of the few Vietnamese-Indian restaurants in the country, has been sold to its previous owner, who ran it as the Vietnamese La Pagode. She promises to bring back a new version of the La Pagode menu.

RECORD PACE: The recently-opened Zuzu’s at Mockingbird and Abrams has been forced to stay open an hour later every day because it has been so busy. It has been serving 350 customers a day.