Jan. 9, 2023 By Michael Dorgan
A well-liked Brazilian restaurant on Ditmars Boulevard in Astoria has closed after a five-year run.
Kilo, known for its traditional Brazilian food and for screening live soccer games, closed for good on Jan. 2, the restaurant announced on social media last week.
The announcement did not specify the reason for the closure of the establishment, which was located at 31-27 Ditmars Blvd. The owners of Kilo could not be reached for comment.
“As of Jan. 2, 2023, Kilo Astoria is permanently closed,” the restaurant’s social media post reads. “We would like to thank you for your constant support throughout all these years.
The establishment’s name is derived from its original buffet concept where customers would purchase food priced by weight—per kilo. The operators then changed the business model to focus more on a sit-down experience due to the onset of COVID-19.
Kilo offered a range of Brazilian-style dishes such as picanha, sirloin and rib-eye steaks, chicken cutlets, chicken stew as well as a grilled shell steak dish known as “bife acebolado.” Other dishes included broiled fish filet capers, broiled salmon, shrimp, octopus and a black bean stew with pork, dry beef, ribs and sausage.
The establishment was known for its relaxed atmosphere, friendly service, and good food, according to reviewers online. The restaurant had amassed a 4.6-star rating (out of a possible 5) on Google based on more than 420 reviews.
The restaurant had a wooden interior with a bar area on one side of the space with several TVs. The establishment often ran happy hour drinks specials.
There was an outdoor dining area at the front of the premises, on the roadway.
The social media posts announcing the closure also encouraged customers to visit the establishment’s sister bar called Favela Grill, located at 33-18 28th Ave.
Some customers commented on the posts to express their disappointment upon hearing of the closure.
“Sad to see you go, wish you stayed as the buffet, it was so, so, much better,” wrote one poster on Facebook. “Sadly, the pandemic ruined that.”
“No no no!” wrote another commenter. “The best fish I’ve ever had!!”