Looking for a family dining spot that welcomes kids (and good for groups of friends), offers very good quality and terrific value, friendly service and fun to boot? Then check out Steak Brasil Churrascaria in downtown Miami , 190 SE 1st Avenue, T.305-415-2006 . Having been to Brazil several times over the years, I can vouch for this being an authentic eatery, the kind you’d find in a neighborhood outside of the big cities. And no surprise since this is no chain restaurant, but rather, the passion of owner and manager Jaciel Santos who hails from Northeastern Brazil.
The dining experience is the popular Rodizio, where a selection of nine different meats ranging from sirloin (picanha) and flank steak to melt-in-your-mouth smoked ribs, chicken and sausage are brought and carved tableside. Diners turn over a card to green which sets the eating fest in motion. Meats come with a selection of delicious sides including hot, just made fried banana that was a major hit at our table, crisp French fries and yucca, cheese bread and melted provolone cheese with a crusty top (we ordered seconds on this one). My sons who are regular frequenters of rodizio restaurants in Miami and New York gave high marks to the meat for the perfect level of doneness, juiciness and flavor. Plus, said my oldest, in many places they bring out the cheapest cuts first so you fill up on them, but not here. Jaciel treats diners as if they’re guests at his own home.
Most diners head first for the fresh salad bar with a wheel of Reggiano Parmigiano cheese, wide array of salads, hearts of palm and cold cuts. Whatever you do, don’t miss the hot salad bar with the signature dish, feijao of Minas Gerais – black beans, rice, pork loin and collard greens.
In true Brazilian style, there’s a range of fresh tropical fruit juices, iconic Brazilian beverages, such as the soft drink Guarana and sinfully delicious deserts like the bolo de coco. (coconut cake) and chocolate and passion fruit mousses that are so thick they taste like ice cream.
“It was important to me to create a space where family and friends have the luxury to eat outside of their home, yet still feel the comfort and ease of being at home,” said Santos. “I wanted more than a place where you go once a year to celebrate a big event, but instead a place that feels like the weekend visit to your favorite aunt’s house where you eat to your heart’s content while talking and reconnecting.
And here’s the best part. Dinner is only $25.99 for an adult and $12.99 for a child under 12. At lunch weekdays the price drops to $21.99. There’s no liquor license, but wines are reasonably priced with a selection of wines by the glass at $7 and bottles starting at $25.
There’s parking in the Miami Tower building caddy corner from the restaurant,100 S.E. 2nd Avenue, a deal at $1 for three hours. Jaciel hopes to make Steak Brasil the first of several in Miami. And after dining there and experiencing the restaurant, you can’t help but think he deserves to succeed.
Photography by William Oberheiser
