Brasa Steakhouse

I have been to Brasa before, but my experience on Saturday night came as a huge shock. My friends and I went to Brasa that evening for our annual holiday dinner. We were told that there would be a 45 minute wait, and that we were welcome to wait in the bar area. The hostess (who has been rude on every single occasion) did not bother to take down our names. In the interim we waited at the bar. It took 30 minutes for someone to ask if we wanted a drink. Mind you, he had been walking back and forth past us the entire time. At any rate, after 30 minutes passed, I went over to the hostess to enquire as to how the wait was going. She rolled her eyes and said that we didn't give her own name and so if we wanted to be seated, we would have to put our names on the list. She then proceeded to add that the wait time had increased to an hour and a half. The manager miraculously appeared, and after informing him of the situation, he rudely told us to go to Fratellos because it was nice and affordable. When I tried to explain that the hostess was not being forthright in her explanation of the situation, he rudely said that she was being forthright...implying that we were lying. We promptly left and went to Fujisan. The food was absolutely delicious and the service was top notch. No one made us feel as though we could not afford to eat there. I do not wish to go back to Brasa. Not only is the service terrible, but the food has been on a downward spiral. I generally get the gold or platinum option, but have noticed that many times the servers don't bring out all of the meats as they are supposed to. When I have requested the other meats, I was met with rolled eyes and blatant exasperation. Well pardon me but if I am paying for 14 meats, I should get 14 meats. In conclusion, I would STRONGLY recommend you go elsewhere. more

This past week I went to Brasa with a couple of friends for a Holiday celebration and it was extremely disappointing. Upon entering the restaurant we were not asked to put our name on a list for seating and were told to sit in the lounge area and in 45 minutes to an hour someone would come over and seat us. Well as time went on, it took over 30 minutes for anyone to take our order at the lounge and then when 45 minutes had passed and we questioned the hostess about the wait, we were told that we did not want our names on the list and if we added them, we would have to start our wait over and now it had increased to an hour and a half. The hostess was not helpful. We told her manager in a nice and polite way that there was a miscommunication and were interested in some form of compromise, but he said that the hostess was not lying, which inferred that we the customers were. He did not offer a solution to the problem. He basically gave us the option to wait an additional hour and a half or leave. Without giving us time to make our decision he said, that we should go to Fratello's because it was nice and affordable. At that point, we saw no point in eating there. What restaurant insults the customer and makes comments about the customer can afford. I would highly recommend that you save your tastebuds for Fratellos or McDonalds if Brasa is your only option. We didn't take manager's suggestion for Fratellos because we really wanted steak, but we went to Fujisan and had a wonderful experience. We were seated promptly and treated like we deserved to be treated with respect... It's too bad that the manger insulted three individuals that are known in some of the most elite circles in the area. Now everyone knows how horrible Brasa was. Great job!! more

We went there tonight for the first time and it will NOT be our last. We both had the gold dinner and everything was first rate. Started with the cold bar, then the hot bar when we started the meat. Every different piece of beef (and there were several) was tender and succulent, even the chicken was wonderful. Service was super and there was a great little jazz trio playing that really made the setting. If you're looking for cheap stick with Golden Corral, if you're looking for a great meal with a flair, this is your place. more

I have eaten there many times and it is always been excellent. I highly recommend the salad bar special. 10 bucks a trip, which is definitely more than I can eat. Live music, great drinks, good wine selection, and they will remember you and treat you right.For me and my wife it has always been a pleasure. more

Brazilian restaurants are always fun. There's nothing like this is the area, so this is a unique find Briar Creek. You get a lot of food for the money and you walk away stuffed. Well worth it. Pros: A lot of food for your money Cons: I was stuffed! more

If you have never been to a real Brasilian Rodizio-style churrascaria, you might think rather highly of this place. But if you have, you will be disappointed. This place is an imitation. I know of only one Brazilian that works there, and this is apparent in the food. the taste is nowhere near as good as the real thing. A nice place if you accept this fact, but it doesn't approach Fogo de Chao, Porcao, or other Brazilian-operated restaurants. A bunch of Americans just copied the concept. Pros: nice little restaurant Cons: mediocre food by Rodizio standards, not authentic more

Unless you're earning in the six-figure range, this is not a place you could go on a weekly basis. The buffet service costs $40 a plate, and once you add in a few $8 drinks, a meal for two crosses the $100 border pretty quickly. That being said, it is completely worth the price. Go hungry, and you will realize that you have eaten much more than $40 of delicious filets, bacon wrapped sirloin, and various chicken breasts with different spice rubs by the end of the night. I noticed another comment that said the meat was well done. I didn't have that experience at all; everything I got was cooked medium to medium-rare, depending on the cut. The quality of the food is matched by the atmosphere, but as another commenter said, it is a bit noisy on busy nights. I will definitely be back, if only a few times a year. Pros: Amazing meat, awesome appetizer bar, strong drinks Cons: Definitely pricey more

First off, if you're not familiar with Brazilian steakhouses or Rodizios, you just need to know they're the best kind of steakhouses in the planet. Nothing beats waiters one after the other showing up at your table with SWORDS (they're really huge skewers but Rodizios get me medieval) where impaled steaks of several pounds of the best cuts in the world are to be carved in front of you at your command. It's an endless parade of steak worship not for the faint of heart. I live in southern Maryland and being a Rodizio aficionado myself, the total lack of this restaurant type in my area is very depressing. I was driving to a Friend's weeding in Burlington, NC and having lived in North Carolina for several years in the past I knew I was entering Rodizio territory once more, so I decided to plan my trip to Burlington, making a little detour in Raleigh just to try this Rodizio Steakhouse. Now onto the place itself. Even thou this guys close at 11 pm on Fridays, I walked though the door at 10:45 and was treated just like if it was 7 pm. (Most restaurants give you ""a look"" and bad service if you do this). The service was INCREDIBLE, the place looked amazing. If you want to impress a lady, this would be a home run. Now, the food. Simply......perfect. The meats were simply out of this world. My favorite Brazilian cut of meat, ""pica?a"" was cooked just the way I requested, with a medium rare center. My wife is more of a ""well done"" steak kind of girl and they had a completely different skewer sizzling at the mercy of the flames in the kitchen just for her. (Most Rodizios scuff at customers requests of well done meat since this is considered faux pass, and they will simply take a couple of cuts ant throw them on the grill for the customer which ruins the whole experience. I have visited probably 10 Brazilian steakhouses in the U.S. Only at the top 2, Brasa Raleigh being one of them, will they put a separate skewer on the flames for customers who request well done cuts), Like I said in the title, second best Rodizio steak house in the U.S. only topped by the Juggernaut of Rodizios, New York's Time Square area located cathedral of Rodizio, (let alone Number 1 Brazilian steakhouse in the world and personally best restaurant I've ever been to in my life), The Mecca of meat.......... ""PLATAFORMA"". How close does Brasa come to the holiest of the holiest, Plataforma? Surprisingly close. Steak wise.......and this could be blasphemy....... almost identical. The salad bar at Plataforma is also FAR superior, probably one of the best salad bars EVER, But whereas a meal for two at Plataforma with beers will run you $250 with tips, at Brasa I paid only $100 with tips which is a HUGE difference. Let's put it this way: Plataforma is still reigning champion but if instead of Brasa being located In Raleigh, NC and Plataforma in New York, they were located both across the street from my home in Maryland, 9 our of 10 times I would eat at Brasa, almost the same steak for half the price. I would still treat myself to Plataforma on my birthdays. Now for those of you Maryland residents who are wondering, if you have to drive all, the way to NC or New York for a decent Rodizio experience, don't fret. I also have you covered. You'll find in my opinion which is the 3rd best Rodizio in the U.S. just 45 minutes away in Washington D.C. The name is ""Fogo de Chao"" a meal for 2 will run you about $140. All in all, in the best value for your category, Brasa Raleigh takes the crown. Now, If you're a Millionaire and own your own jet, fly to New York's Plataforma. But rest assured, Brasa will also give you a run for your money. Pros: Perfect Rodizio more

great super place.... cinnamon pineapple is the best.. make sure you go early to get the good temps on the meat otherwise your in for some yummy extra well done Pros: Pineapple Cons: overcooked meat more

Live a little--I mean that literally. But you do get charged as though you were living large. Quite simply: I didn't think churrasco could ever taste like slow warmed three week old newspaper, but it did here. Flavor, variety, taste, quality were all missing. I thought the ambience was nice, if overly formal. The cost of eating here is comparable to a large northeastern city, for a fraction of the quality. Would I do it again? No. Should you? I can't make that decision for you..... Pros: Ambience Cons: Cost, service, food quality more

Brasa is truly a romantic place to be when dining. However, it is such an overpriced restaurant. The cold bar was a better choice if you are not really a meat lover person. The house picanya was good, as well as the lamb and some meat which had the garlic and bacon wrap. Some meat were bland.Chicken was tender but dry.The Grove Park Inn buffet is much much better when compared to Brasa. It had more selections for the same price. In addition to the grand view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Brasa is a restaurant worth going if you love to eat meat. Worth for a fine dining event but will not come back again as it is too pricey for the selection. Pros: Romantic great ambiance Cons: overpriced more

I'm from out of town and ate here tonight with some coworkers. I was really impressed with all the options on the salad and appetizer bar. The meats were delicious as well. The restaurant was also beautiful. My only concern was the noise level but it was busy so I can't really complain. Next time I fly in for work, I will definitely come back here. Pros: atmosphere, food, service Cons: noise more

My husband and I had the Platinum lunch package which included the hot and cold bar and 9 meats. While it was easily the most expensive lunch we've ever had, we thoroughly enjoyed the meal. There is a wide variety of foods on the hot and cold bar to include things everyone will eat, like parmesan mashed potatoes and traditional green salad. The service was OUTSTANDING! Our waiter, Luis, was very personable and accomodating. My favorite meat was the lamb. I'm very picky about lamb as I grew up eating really good lamb in Wyoming (a sheep and cattle state). It was cooked perfectly! Pros: service, food, ambience Cons: price more

Atmosphere - piano player in the bar area makes dining a little loud. I expected lots of conversation noise, but restaurant was a little louder than I expected. Most of the meats tasted the same. Chicken was tender, all other meats tasted as if they were seasoned with same spices. A1 sauce would go a long way here. Service was excellent. But the price is way too much for what you get. Appetizer bar was very good. If we ever go back we will get just the bar. If you leave hungry however, it is your own fault. Pros: Service was excellent. Appetizer bar was very good. Cons: Most of the meats tasted the same. Chicken was tender, all other meats tasted as if they were seasoned with same spices. A1 sauce would go a long way here. more

Brasa is a beautiful restaurant with great food, great atmosphere and great staff. Every part of my dining experience was exceptional. The food selection is amazing. I don't know a place in town that you have so many options and it's all inclusive and unlimited. This is a place you will leave satisfied and not hungry for days. I wish I could eat a Brasa everyday, I recommend this restaurant to romantics, families, and businesses. They have plenty of room, including private dining that I plan on taking advantage of for my next event. Pros: Unlimited Food and Great Service Cons: no cons, this place is great! more

My wife and I went to Brasa's at Brier Creek last night and it was the worst dining experience I've had in years. I am not a big meat eater, but my wife is, so we were seated by a teenager right beside a rowdy bunch of children that threw food and ran around our table incessantly. The waiter came and I had asked about a non meat option. He went on to describe what a churrascaria was to me and I told him I know what it is as I am Brazilian. I asked him again and he refused to answer until the end of his speech. The whole time he was being dismissive and rude. He continued to be a horrible waiter the whole time as were the other waiters in the restaurant I noticed. To make things worse, one of the meat servers approached my wife romantically when I was at the buffet. Cons: Ambiance, Bland Cold Food, Horrible Service more

If you get dragged into the place, just get the salad bar and don't try the seafood, please. Just eat the vegetables. If you like eating meat that tastes like rendered dog food, then be my guest. Oh and don't bother complaining either. Pros: nice decor, stuffed parrots ... Cons: bad food more

Hello everyone. After reading all of the great reviews on here, I decided to give Brasas a try. Driving up to the building, it has a very classy, attractive outside. Entering the building, we were greeted and seated promptly. The atmoshpere is very relaxed and somewhat sultry and romantic. After we were seated, the wait staff quickly and efficiently took our drink orders and told us about the menu, which is: more

This place is outstanding for a night out with your spouse or close friend, as well as corporate get together. The atmosphere is top notch...a large bar area with comfortable seating, couches and a fire place, and an elegantly designed restaurant with private rooms. more

My wife and I enjoy Brasa very much. The food is exceptional, especially the meats that are brought out by the meatboys. Dont listen to the vegetarians and the people who eat their meat well done.(as these people do not truly enjoy good meat). Honestly why would a vegetarian go to a meat house? The music and the atmosphere are also exceptional; Do yourself a favor and get there early and have a few cocktails at the bar. more