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Eating at a churrascaria isn’t just a meal. It’s an adventure.
There are colorful outfits and swords, a sense of wonder and awe and, if you’re like me, critical decisions as you decide: Just how do I get the most for my money without wasting stomach space?
OK, you’re probably not going to take it that far. But Brasas do Brazil, the East Bay’s newest churrascaria, is a great example of the Brazilian steakhouse experience, offering mouthwatering meats and much more.
THE VIBE: Things are fairly sedate in the space once occupied by Mimi’s Cafe, but Brasas do Brazil has given the interior a sleeker, modern vibe. But what draws your eye is the servers, dressed like gauchos and roaming the room with their skewers of meat. Flip your token over to indicate that you’re ready to be served and they appear at your side in moments, eager to slice off a piece of top sirloin or a lamb chop for you.
THE FOOD: All-you-can-eat is the only option here, but the price varies widely depending on when and what you’re eating. Salad bar only is $19.95 at lunch and $34.95 for dinner. The full salad and skewered meat experience will cost you $29.95 for a weekday lunch and $54.95 for weekend lunch or dinner.
Of the many meats I tasted on a recent visit, none missed the mark. The top sirloin was buttery and tender, while a slice of ribeye was aggressively, but not unpleasantly, seasoned and decadent with fat. A piece of chicken breast wrapped in bacon was juicy and flavorful, and grilled pineapple was a great addition, complementing the meat’s saltiness with a bit of sweetness. (I didn’t see any of the salmon promised on their website; I wonder if putting it on swords was a logistical challenge.)
The “salad” bar has much more than salad, of course, including roasted vegetables, mushrooms, cured meats and cheeses, rice, mashed potatoes, Brazilian sausage stew and more. Also, don’t overlook the Brazilian cheese bread they bring to your table. Made with tapioca flour, it’s chewy and distinctive.
If you’ve made your way through the salads and skewers and still somehow find yourself wanting a little more, you can always add a slice of Key Lime Pie ($9) or Creme Brulée ($9).
THE COCKTAILS: Any respectable Brazilian cocktail menu begins with the Caipirinha ($10), a mix of rum-like Cachaça and fresh lime — like a mojito without the mint. The Brasas Açaí-rita ($12) incorporates the trendiest berry in the world in a margarita, while the Brazilian Mule ($10) adds pineapple juice to the Moscow classic.
PERFECT FOR: A day when you skipped breakfast. And maybe lunch, too. (Also good for family celebrations, graduations, or just a night out when you are really feeling ready to eat.)
DETAILS: Open from 11:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m. for lunch on weekdays; 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday and until 10 p.m. Fridays. Open 1 p.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays and until 9 p.m. Sundays. Reservations accepted, off-street parking available. 1631 Willow Pass Road, Concord; www.brasasbrazil.com.