The makings of a new Argentine steakhouse in Miami caught my attention when I heard they have their own cattle ranches in Argentina and Uruguay, private label wines and olive oil from Spain, and even coffee from their plantations in Colombia. So off I went to El Churrasco Miami in the former spot of Porcao in the Four Ambassadors Building, 801 Brickell Bay Drive (T.786-5588-5511).
The greeting at the door is warm and welcoming, promising and delivering on what we experienced across the board — friendly and professional service. You first pass by a spacious bar that’s decorated as it might be in an Argentine estancia (ranch). It’s an ideal spot for their happy hour every day from 4 pm – 7:30 pm The main restaurant itself is large with attractive lighting and views of Biscayne Bay and Brickell Key.
Choose the meat you want from a typical parillada, from morcilla (black pork sausage) and chorizo to 7 different cuts of Angus aged steak, priced a la carte. Before going straight to the grilled items, don’t miss the empanada criolla brimming with cheese and corn that have a welcome crispness on the outside and on cutting, ooze the delectable filling. Another good choice is the beef carpaccio, flavorful slices of thin raw beef topped with wild arugula and grana padano in a tangy, citrus vinaigrette.
No lack of choice for carnivores with everything from New York strip and ribeye to chateaubriand and a burger. We had the cowboy steak, 20 ounces with the bone in, their answer to a T-bone. The beef is cooked in their open kitchen, then brought to the table with a grill that allows you to cook it to your desired doneness, a welcome touch. Note that the beef is grass fed, so it’s much leaner than corn fed beef with less marbling, so it has less of a beefy flavor and typically isn’t charred on the outside. Team up the steak with oh so tasty marble potatoes, small multi-hued Peruvian potatoes that are boiled and lightly salted, with a hint of garlic and grilled asparagus. Non beef eaters will welcome the selection of pastas, grilled salmon and branzino.
For dessert, the standout is the Malbec cinnamon pear, a pear marinated in wine, accompanied by vanilla ice cream and berries compote. The dish was a work of art and a perfect counterpoint to the rest of the meal.
Kudos go to their wine prices starting at $12 a glass for a 5-ounce pour for a fine wine or $45 a bottle. Plus, now they’re offering a 25% discount off of their own branded Gil wines.
Prices for starters are in the teens ,and steaks range from $34 for a 20 ounce top sirloin to $55 for a 20 ounce chateaubriand. Desserts are $9.
El Churrasco serves the same menu for lunch and dinner, If going for lunch, there’s an appealing and well-priced entrée sized steak salad complete with tomato, avocado, heart of palm, mixed greens and more in a red wine vinaigrette for $13.
Parking with validation is free.
