If you've got Brazilian cuisine or a juicy steak on the brain, a new downtown arrival is need-to-know. Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse at 525 Smithfield St. is a haven for carnivores, featuring Brazilian-style barbecue known as churrasco.
Founded in southern Brazil, the churrascaria offers an array of flame-grilled meats that are sliced off skewers tableside. The fine-dining chain made the leap to Dallas in 1997 and now operates 35 locations in the United States. The new restaurant at the former site of Saks Fifth Avenue can seat 260 people and is the company's first outpost in the Pittsburgh area, the Pittsburgh Gazette reports.
Those new to churrasco dining can expect the menu to include Fogo de Chão's signature steak, the picanha: the prime part of the top sirloin, sliced thin and seasoned with rock salt. Other cuts include filet mignon and fraldinha, or highly marbled bottom sirloin.
In addition to Brazilian staples like fried polenta and plantains, customers have access to the market table, an extensive self-serve selection of soups, seasonal vegetables and salads, including charcuterie like candied bacon. (You can check out the full menu here.)
The new arrival has made a good impression thus far, with a four-star rating out of 14 reviews on Yelp.
"Everything I sampled was delicious and piping hot. Servers were very attentive and helpful," said David B., who was the first to review Fogo de Chão on April 23. "They give you a round medallion, and when you turn the green side up, the roving server carrying meat on a skewer will stop at your table. They bring you mashed potatoes, fried polenta and plantains to your table."
"I have been to other churrascarias, and I have to say ... I was very impressed with Fogo," said Yelper Jay D. "Their market table was impressive. A wonderful, fresh assortment of cheeses, charcuterie, soup and other side items that I truly enjoyed. ... They were super attentive, polite and made you feel special."
Interested? Stop by to welcome the new business to the neighborhood. Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse is open from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5–10:30 p.m. on Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5–11 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m.–10 p.m. on Sunday.
