Thursday, Nov. 05, 2009

Fogo Do Brazil

Setting the Table

In our slice of the world, where the restaurant cuisine cross-section is diverse, but tends to go heavy on the seafood and Italian pizzeria side, it seems there's been a sudden flare-up of Brazilian steakhouses. Rioz was the trendsetter in town, followed by Gauchao Brazilian Steakhouse and Fogo Do Brazil, where we chose to experience southern Brazil for lunch.

Located on Kings Highway near the Chapin Memorial Library and The Library restaurant, Fogo Do Brazil is spruced up in a cute, creamy-orange-and-white-striped façade. Inside, tables are dramatically draped in black tablecloths and set with starch-white linen napkins, giving an upscale dining first impression. The walls were embraced in that same warm orange paint used on the exterior. Large, ranch-inspired paintings were pleasant accents.

The ceiling beams and intricate trimwork were quite eye-catching. The only element that was distracting, is the music echoing from the kitchen to the dining room.

There was a difference of about three seconds that made my inner voice want to scream, "Doesn't anyone else hear that?"

Our server and host, clad in traditional gaucho pants and boots, swept through the room with a friendly smile and beckoned us to sit wherever we'd like. I immediately liked him - and he made fast friends with my preschooler.

Later, he shared with me that he actually hails from New England, not Brazil, but that's OK - no points docked for authenticity.

Down the Hatch

Following Brazilian steakhouse protocol, there was a gourmet-like salad bar for your all-you-can-eat pleasure, this one tucked into a corner right in front of the kitchen. Pedestal bowls filled with an assortment of specialty olives, pico de gallo and pickles lined one end, and two catering pans on warmers filled with mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy in one and black beans and rice in the second sat on the other end. All of the ingredients for a fresh vegetable salad were plated on ice, plus cold shrimp, artichoke hearts, cubes of fresh mozzarella tossed with grape tomatoes and a yummy seafood salad. A creative, delicious assortment of selections.

My post-pregnancy appetite is quite different from the nine months I "ate for two," but I wanted to at least attempt to sample as many slow-roasted meats as possible. Children younger than age 6 eat free, which is a beautiful thing. Although my son nibbled on a few of the meats presented to me on a stake, tableside, what he really enjoyed were the chicken nuggets and French fries, as well as the sides of fried plantains and bananas.

The fixed price for lunch is $14.95 for an all-you-can-eat Brazilian bonanza. That's an incredible deal. After munching on the salad goodies, I (well, my appetite) made it through a round of steaks stacked with filet mignon, rump roast cut with garlic, full top sirloin, pork ribs, chicken legs and chicken with garlic. I had requested my meats to be prepared medium; some of them were, but some were slightly overcooked. Overall, lunch was filling and mostly satisfying.

A savory finale to this feast was a skewer of warm pineapple slices dusted in cinnamon. Other desserts offered, which I didn't have room for, included Papaya Cream blended with vanilla ice cream and Brazilian flan.

Check, Please

I enjoyed the hospitality and constant attention we received from our host at Fogo Do Brazil. I think that attention should be a must in customer service nowadays, with businesses and restaurants clamoring to stand out, latch onto loyal patrons and survive. I also enjoyed Fogo's affordable, all-you-can-eat price during these very budget-conscious times. And, although some of the slow-roasted meats were on the overcooked side, overall, my lunch was oh-so-good - good enough for me to return.

Weekly Surge Top Jobs

To view Weekly Surge Classifieds click here.