Evenings Out: Fogo de Chao (Philadelphia)

Fogo de Chao: Philadelphia

http://www.fogodechao.com/locations/Philadelphia.htm

1337 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 636-9700

Price: $25 (lunch) / $45 (dinner)

Atmosphere: high-class and relaxed

Hotness: 8/10

Service: 10/10

Food: 9/10

Ideal for: Business lunches, serious dates, celebrations, those looking for new experiences.

Deep in the heart of center city, a block from City Hall and right next to Macy's, Fogo de Chao provides an unforgettable experience. From the moment a customer enters the restaurant until he or she leaves, the restaurant aims not only to satisfy but also stun. With breathtaking 50 foot ceilings and grandiose chandeliers with thousands of wines lining the walls (yes - thousands) the atmosphere shocks the system as one realizes, "This is what fine dining is supposed to be like!"

Fogo de Chao - Portuguese for "fire on the ground " - is a new concept restaurant (or possibly old concept, depending on the perspective). Back in the olden days, gauchos (Brazilian cowboys) would roast their meat on skewers cooked above an open fire. It is like toasting marshmallows at a campfire in the summer, only the marshmallows are big tasty fillets, chops and tenderloins. Honoring the Brazilian gaucho traditions, all of the waiters are dressed up in big black boots and wear traditional Brazilian "cowboy" pants. The service is bar none with plenty of servers at your command.

What's "new" about this restaurant is that the steak is served buffet style. Purely awesome, isn't it? All the meats are served on a skewer, except for the beef ribs, so be careful to catch it as it falls off. Fogo de Chao serves 14 different cuts of beef, pork, chicken, and lamb on skewers that looked like Jennifer Garner's sais from Elektra.

Would you like some sais to go with that steak?

While the food at Fogo de Chao is great, the prices are not so impressive. Lunch runs about $25.00 per person and dinner is about $45.00 per person (dessert and drinks being extra of course). Salad bar is included, but don't fill up on veggies and cheese because you will want to save room for the bottomless meat that awaits. The salad bar, a work of art, includes fresh salmon, exotic cheeses, and fresh fruit. Each meal also comes with unlimited sides of garlic mashed, fried bananas, polente and the tastiest butteriest buns known to man.

Fogo de Chao offers an innovative way of cooking and an innovative way of serving food. This restaurant is an absolutely "must-try" place for fine dining.

Overall grade: A