Searching for the perfect option for brunch in Manhattan? The answer may be at a less “obvious” option, filled with Brazilian cuisine, a grand buffet, and excellent service.
Fogo de Chão is a Brazilian steakhouse which prides itself in its . The New York City location is the brand’s flagship location, which feature 16,000 square feet of restaurant space. When you enter Fogo de Chão, you descend down a set of wide stairs that take you to the main dining room, affording you the privilege of viewing other diners as well as the restaurant’s gorgeous buffet bar. The bar is lit up with pops of colors from various meats and cheeses along with fresh fruits, vegetables, and salads.
For brunch, the restaurant offers its traditional churrasco experience, which is continuous tableside service of signature cuts of fire-roasted Brazilian meats (including, for example, picanha, alcatra, fraldinha, been ancho, costela de porco, cordeiro, picanha de porco). The meat is served
rodízio style and is cut directly by the waiters an onto your plate. Guests can pick the particular style of meat (e.g., medium well, medium, rare, etc.) along with the angle/cut, providing an extremely personal experience. Tableside service is complete with Brazilian side dishes included pão de queijo (cheese bread), polenta, mashed potatoes, and caramelized plantains.
The churrasco experience also allows guests to enjoy Fogo’s brunch market table (which is a good thing because the smell of the freshly made waffles is extremely tempting). The market table includes a journey with some Bolo de Fubá (or sweet cornemal cake) with whipped banana crème, braised beef rib has, omelets, Belgian waffles, Brazilian sausage, black pepper candied bacon, and a lot more. As a side, visitors may want to also consider ordering farofa with eggs, which is an extremely delicious Brazilian-styled scrambled egg dish traditionally made with manioc flour (but can be substituted with yucca or tapioca flour). 
For drinks, Fogo has partnered with a Brazilian winery, Viña VIK, in the Cachapoal Valley to create its 2012 La Piu Belle red blend. The wine is a predominant blend of cabernet sauvignon along with cabernet franc, carménère, syrah, and merlot. The blend is extremely elegant yet powerful and balanced with notes of black cherry and hints of oak. It will bring your meal at Fogo to a new level and is an absolute perfect pairing with the churrasco experience.
If you are looking for an incredible brunch experience in the heart of Manhattan, Fogo de Chão will not disappoint. With so many options and impeccable service, all guests in your party will be pleased.
Many thanks to Fogo de Chão for partnering with us on this review along with our lovely host, Jessica, who showed great hospitality during our meal.