You would never expect to find such a good eating establishment among the stores in the Airport Plaza in Hyannis. Preta Cafe is definitely a hidden gem.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the restaurant has an extensive menu, and it also makes cakes to order and offers full takeout.

The exterior is nondescript except for the glowing "Open" sign, but inside, warm colors and expressive Brazilian art create a calming atmosphere for a meal. Despite the arrangement of nine tables of various sizes and heights and a short bar, the space is open and uncrowded. Be prepared to eat heartily. A lot of food comes with each order.

For an appetizer, we chose the Preta combination platter, which included two each of chicken wings, chicken tenders, potato skins and onion rings, all for $8.99. Barbecue sauce and additional sour cream (as if there wasn't enough already on the potato skins!) came with the platter. The onion rings were especially sweet, and the breading on the chicken was light and crunchy.

For lunch, we ordered the Mile High Hot Pastrami sandwich ($7.99) on pumpernickel. The well-trimmed meat was piled pretty high on the bread, and the order came with a mound of french fries. From the "Anytime Entrees" section, we ordered Chicken Picatta, a large bowlful of lightly breaded chicken, mushrooms and capers over pasta ($12.99); you can have it over rice, if you like. Other entrees include fish and chips; baked haddock; chicken with carbonara, Alfredo or Marsala sauce; and shepherd's pie.

The portions were large, evidenced by the "eye-popping" expression we witnessed from another patron as his meal was served.

For dessert we were invited to walk up to the cake case and pick out an item that caught our attention. We chose the bonbon cake ($4.50), a deceptively light-tasting confection of cake with melted bonbon filling and crushed bonbons on the frosting.

The menu features a variety of Brazilian dishes, including fried pork belly, linguica and beef, each served with fried yucca. There are also Brazilian sandwiches, including the Brazilian Burger ($7.99) and Chicken Challenge ("Desaflo"), which has pulled chicken, corn, bacon and cheddar cheese.


Preta Cafe

425 Iyannough Road, Hyannis

774-470-1361

By Melanie Lauwers and Susan Eastman