Texas De Brazil New York City
Family owned and operated churrascaria chain Texas de Brazil got its conceptual start in Porto Alegre, Brazil where founder Salah Izzedin was living the cattle rancher's life feasting on rodizio style meats. He asked himself, "How couldn't this work equally well in the United States." We love our BBQ and backyard cookouts so it's only logical that grilled meats served on skewers by authentically dressed gauchos would be widely embraced. In 1998, Izzedin opened Texas de Brazil's first restaurant outside Dallas and now their unique formula of southern Brazilian comfort food served up with Texas hospitality has proliferated globally to 37
locations.
In New York City, Texas de Brazil's bi-level dining with floor to ceiling windows overlooks the East Side's 3rd Street making for some great people watching. Here you get 2 decadent all-you-can-eat courses instead of a single $50 NY strip like elsewhere in the City. Your adventure begins with a basket of pão de queijo (addictive Brazilian cheese bread) before heading over to their massively diverse gourmet salad bar brimming with fresh vegetables, cheeses and charcuterie, several soups, and even sushi assortments. If you're sticking to Brazilian authenticity, try some feijoada (Brazilian black bean stew).
Pick your wine from a glass enclosed wine cellar resembling a tower spanning both floors. The list ranges from private label made in Chili by Santa Rita Vineyards to unique California and South American vintages. Onsite sommeliers occasionally kick the presentation up a notch by selecting your chosen bottle using aerial acrobatic techniques.
When you're ready for their second course, a whopping selection of 16 different types of open flame grilled meat, remember the card on your table. Turn it over to the green side and your trusty gauchos arrive table side one after the next out of nowhere brandishing large skewers of flank steak, bacon-wrapped 
filet mignon, succulent lamb, and Brazilian sausages. Just let them know if you'd like to sample any before getting a full serving. The only way to stop the madness is to turn your card over to the red side. Do it in the name of dessert because among other tempting treats, a towering carrot cake, Brazilian Flan and Bananas Foster Pie await.
And here's something that further sweetens the deal: Texas de Brazil is now on the New York Pass awarding holders 15% off dinner and a complimentary signature Caipirinha.
Photos courtesy of Texas de Brazil. Coverage made possible by participating in a sponsored tasting.