| If you want to taste the food of another culture, | | | | described as a loose equivalent to the North |
| you could go to the old Italian standby up the block, | | | | American cowboy, lived off the land and had no way |
| whether authentic or heavily Americanized, or you | | | | of preserving their food. They would instead gather |
| could try something else. I'm not talking about an | | | | together after butchering a cow and cook the meat |
| unpalatable Thai place, but something more along the | | | | on skewers over an open fire. |
| lines of exploring new tastes you already like, but | | | | While this isn't quite what's done at a Brazilian |
| might not know about. I'm talking about the Brazilian | | | | steakhouse, it's close enough to make me start to |
| Steakhouse, and I know just a few such places in | | | | want to sing a few cowpoke tunes in Portuguese. |
| the world to recommend. | | | | That tradition of grilling meat over an open fire and |
| If you want to have an experience like none other, | | | | sharing it has continued on today in modern Brazilian |
| there are just a handful of places outside of Brazil | | | | steakhouses. Though it may not be quite as rustic as |
| that offer something I can actually recommend. | | | | eating a freshly butchered bovine in the Brazilian |
| There is one in New York, Shanghai, Johannesburg | | | | countryside, urban Brazilian steakhouses will give you |
| and one more in Atlanta. They're all good, each worth | | | | a dining experience you will find nowhere else. |
| your time, and especially if you've never had it | | | | So you want to know where to go? Here's my list: |
| before, worth going quite a ways out of your way | | | | New York's Rio 22 Restaurant - This one is |
| for. | | | | exceptional, but it's pricey as hell and I say so with |
| First of all, when it comes to authentic Brazilian dining, | | | | zero reservation. It's a great place, but you'd better |
| you can't expect your typical dining experience. You | | | | come loaded if you want to leave full. Staff is good |
| won't be offered a menu, you won't have to settle | | | | and the wine selection is delightful. |
| for just one type of food, and your server isn't going | | | | Atlanta has the Red and Green Steakhouse - Atlanta |
| to just give you your meal and leave you alone. | | | | isn't exactly the hub of American culture, but I went |
| That's where it starts to get exciting, but that isn't | | | | there after a very long day of work and couldn't |
| the end of it by a mile. | | | | believe the space, the staff, the food and mostly I |
| You'll instead be given a card, red on one side and | | | | couldn't believe the prices. If you're feeling |
| green on the other. Flip it green-side up, and your | | | | adventurous you should take a stroll through the |
| parade of waiters will continue stopping by with an | | | | wine humidor. They have the best selection of South |
| array of skewered meats, each fresh off the | | | | American wines I've seen in the states, and they're |
| barbecue, and each bursting with flavor. | | | | happy to show them to you even if you're just |
| Take what you want, and if you want more after | | | | looking and curious. Also remarkably affordable, priced |
| that, just put your card out again, and if you need a | | | | at about half what the in-town Brazilians charge for |
| break, just turn it to the red side to let the server | | | | as-good-or-better foods. |
| know you're done eating, even if just temporarily. | | | | Shanghai's Brasil Steakhouse - I haven't been there in |
| But here's where the rubber meets the road. | | | | about a year, but it was exceptional when I last |
| Anybody can take a steak, grill it and walk it by your | | | | visited. On account of the favorable exchange rate, |
| table. You have to go to a place that's authentic to | | | | it's affordable, but steer clear of the bar or the tab |
| the South American style. They've got one thing | | | | will get over your head in a hot, South American |
| great in Brazil, and I'm not talking about coffee | | | | hurry. |
| (though that's pretty darn good too.) They've got | | | | Johannesburg's The Bell Pepper = This place has gone |
| exceptional cuts of beef. Around the world it just | | | | downhill in the past couple years, and it's plain they |
| isn't the case, so you have to make sure the place | | | | don't pay their staff the way you might want them |
| you're going serves up the best. Red and Green | | | | to, but the food is exceptional and the service is |
| Steakhouse in Atlanta, for example, is way off the | | | | relentless. Leave a decent tip, however, it's what |
| Brazilian path, but they keep it authentic by only | | | | they live off on the service end. |
| serving Angus cuts of beef, and by hand-selecting | | | | And in no case should you ever tell them I sent you. |
| everything from the salad bar to the top rung sirloin | | | | They don't know me from Adam, unless you're |
| that passes your table. | | | | Adam, in which case they might know that you are |
| The modern American version of the Brazilian | | | | you and I am not. I just love to eat without end and |
| steakhouse comes from the Gaucho culture of Brazil. | | | | seek out any opportunity to do so. Special occasion |
| Gauchos, these are the people born in the Rio | | | | of not, this is the way to do it. |
| Grande do Sul state in Brazil and who have been | | | | |