A Taste of Brazil in the City

The meal starts off light, with a generous spread of various green and fruits laid out for your choosing. However, the meal’s true tempo only becomes clear once you’re seated and your plate starts filling rapidly with fire-roasted cuts of meat.

Courtesy of Margarita Corporan for identityArchitects

This past December, I took the opportunity to visit Fogo De Chão, a Brazilian steakhouse chain with multiple locations in New York and across the United States. For this occasion, I visited the chain located on 53rd and 40 West St. Upon entering the restaurant, I was mesmerized by the warm, dim lighting which illuminated the various murals and sculptures embedded in the walls. After confirming my reservation at the host stand, I was led down the stairs to the dining area. 

Once seated, I took a look at the menu and found the Full Churrasco, which includes “continuous tableside carving of premium cuts” and the option to fill your plate with various dishes such as various appetizers and side dishes. For my 1 p.m. reservation, the Full Churrasco cost $60 per person, with the option to include dessert and a side of your choice for an additional $20-25 per person. You can also opt to eat solely from the Market Table, which is $20 for lunch and $38 for dinner.

Courtesy of Elina Lee

Soon after they took my order, I was served with pão de queijo (Brazilian cheesy bread), polenta frita (fried polenta sticks), and mashed potatoes. The pão de queijo was my favorite, with the warm, chewy, and cheesy goodness completely taking over my taste palette. The polenta frita 

was crispy, yet it seemed to carry no additional taste. The mashed potatoes, topped with a generous drizzle of golden melted butter, was the same classic taste that I know and love.

Courtesy of Elina Lee

After flipping over the “YES” coaster-like cardboard to indicate that I was open to getting cuts of meat, I went over to the Market Table, where I found an assortment of dishes I found both familiar and completely new to me. Some noteworthy categories included specialty salads, all tossed with a variety of house dressings, and a charcuterie section that was decorated with salami roses and an assortment of cheeses, olives, and exotic fruits. Another portion of the Market Table was dedicated to a variety of antipasti, such as roasted eggplants and asparagus, and a seasonal section which featured dishes like hummus and butternut squash. Parallel to the Market Table was a soup section, where I found steaming lentil soup and fogo feijoada waiting to be poured into a coupe bowl. After taking note of what selections were available, I grabbed a plate and filled it with greens like cucumbers and spinach, alongside chunks of dragonfruit and starchy baguette slices. 

The most curious item on my plate was the dragonfruit. Although my go-to Starbucks order has always been the Dragonfruit Refresher, I had never had the opportunity to try the actual fruit. Biting into the slice of dragonfruit felt like tasting kiwi’s less acidic cousin. It was juicy yet gummy, and I was pleasantly surprised by its lack of overwhelming sweetness. I moved on to the salad that I curated with portions of spinach, cucumber, Brazilian vinaigrette, and roasted asparagus and eggplant. The cucumbers and spinach were crunchy and fresh, and the Brazilian vinaigrette offered a tang of acidity that brought out the flavors of the two veggies. The roasted asparagus and eggplant, however, were disappointing: the asparagus was not fully roasted and the eggplant more soggy than anything. The baguette slice was a classic, and it also paired perfectly with the Brazilian vinaigrette.

After munching on the medley of various vegetables, fruits, and bread, a server came over and offered me my first cut of meat, the ribeye. I was asked if I would like a rare, medium-rare, or medium cut of meat, then they began cutting me a slice of the medium-rare meat I requested. The server completed the final cut, and I used my small tongs to transfer the slice carefully to my plate. The meat was perfectly colored, with the pink center and brown crust that defines a juicy medium-rare roast. 

Courtesy of Elina Lee

Biting into it, the piece of ribeye burst in my mouth, with pieces of coarse salt crunching and providing the perfect saltiness needed to further elevate the taste of the meat. I tried a range of cuts of meat, everything from sirloin to bacon wrapped chicken. Although my opinion on each cut of meat ranged from amazing to mediocre, my opinion of the overall quality and experience of the restaurant was extremely positive.

My time at Fogo De Chão was a much needed recourse from the mundane routine of eating at Kimmel and Downstein. It serves as the perfect destination to celebrate a special occasion or to treat yourself. From the Market Table’s unique offerings to the wide selection of meats, Fogo De Chão has something for everyone, from carnivores to vegetarians. For anyone seeking an unforgettable culinary experience in Midtown, Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse delivers an iconic Brazilian churrasco just steps from Times Square and MoMA, with fire‑roasted meats carved tableside and a sumptuous Market Table that makes every visit feel special.