Fogo de Chão: An Authentic Charrascaria Experience
Fogo de Chão recently opened a new location in the middle of the bustling Uptown neighborhood of Dallas. The restaurant is situated on the ground floor of the chic One Uptown luxury high-rise development at the corner of McKinney Ave and Routh Street, making it an ideal location for happy hour cocktails, weekend brunch, or a festive dinner. We were excited to scope out the beautiful new space and to indulge in dinner at the Brazilian-style steakhouse known for its focus on churrasco style prepared meats. The large, inviting space is flooded with natural light from the floor to ceiling patio windows that nicely balances the rich interior and striking architectural details.
The restaurant has an enticing cocktail menu, including craft Caipirinhas featuring cachaca, the native spirit of Brazil, and a variety of other Brazilian inspired cocktails, like the Flor de Fresca and the Brazilian Gentleman. We opted for a Strawberry Hibiscus Caipirinha made with Hibiscus-infused cachaca, muddled strawberries, and lime and a Passionate Caipirinha crafted with Silver cachaca, passion fruit, lime, and sugar cane. Our husbands enjoyed the Caramelized Pineapple Old Fashioned crafted with Bulleit Rye Whiskey, muddled caramelized pineapple, orange, and Luxardo cherry served over ice (pictured below).
Fogo de Chão’s bar menu also features a number of delicious appetizers and small plates that are perfect for sharing while socializing and imbibing a Brazilian inspired cocktail or two. We enjoyed the Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail served on ice with a spicy Malagueta Brazilian cocktail sauce, which gave the dish a nice twist on your classic shrimp cocktail. The Crispy Parmesan Polenta Fries were also worth trying.
In addition to the amazing meats that Fogo de Chão is known for, we were pleased by the variety of fresh and seasonal options offered at the restaurant’s centrally located Market Table. The seasonal Market Table includes a wide variety of fresh dishes made from mainly vegetables and fruits inspired by the Brazilian farmlands and traditional recipes. The Market Table also offers charcuterie and antipasti options, including black pepper candied bacon that’s not to be missed.
It’s hard to not fill up on the tempting appetizers and Market Table offerings, but you must remember to save room for the main event – the meat! Fogo de Chão is a churrascaria after all, well-known for its use of the traditional gaucho method of cooking meats in a “churrasco” style by roasting them over an open fire to create delicious perfection.
Throughout our dining experience, servers constantly appeared table-side with large spears of tantalizing cuts of roasted meats, to include steak, pork, chicken, and lamb. Our favorite meat was the pork medallion coated with Parmesan – a must try!
We also loved the Filet Mignon and the Picanha, which is the prime part of the top sirloin and is Fogo de Chão’s signature steak. This restaurant is truly a meat-lover’s paradise and if meat is what you came for, you will definitely leave fully satisfied.
If you somehow manage to save room for dessert, Fogo de Chão offers several traditional desserts as well as Brazilian inspired options that are unique and worth a try; for example, the Papaya Cream, which is made by blending fresh papaya with vanilla ice cream and topping it with a black currant liqueur. We especially loved the South American Flan made with rich vanilla custard and topped with sweet caramel. The Creme Brulee, pictured below, is also always a good option for those feeling less adventurous.
Overall, the food was delectable and well-prepared and the service was impeccable. Our mouths are watering as we reflect on our memorable meal shared with our husbands and good friend, Stephanie Drenka and her husband Holden.
If you’re looking for a dining experience out of the ordinary that will truly impress, Fogo de Chão is the place to go! You’ll be transported on a culinary adventure ignited by the tastes of authentic Brazilian cuisine and elevated by top-notch service.
Cheers,
Barbie & Emily
Thank you to Fogo de Chão for treating us to a complimentary meal for this post! All opinions are our own.
Be sure to check out Stephanie’s recap too! Also, photo credit goes to Stephanie Drenka for the amazing pictures contained in this post!
