Brasa Steakhouse

I frequent a resturant called Rio Churrascaria which is very similar, if not the same, as Brassa and I was looking forward to check out another resturant with a similar ""theme"". Unfortunately, Brassa was average at best. The atmosphere at Brassa was nice but I thought the food and service was average and the price was considerably higher compared to other similar resturants in the area. I have to admit the buffet was nice. It has wide selection of cold and hot items but I did not feel it justified the cost. I personally would not be coming back to Brass again. Pros: Buffet Cons: Decor, Location more

Please stop writing self reviews, let's keep Citysearch real. Cons: price, food and service more

I went to Brasa last night and thought it was amazing. Yes, it is a bit pricey for dinner at $35 for their ""Gold"" dinner, which doesn't include hot seafood, but you more than get what you pay for. Our server, Pedro, was great - attentive without being hovering, funny without being over the top, and extremely helpful. I'd go so far as to say he's the best server I've had at any restaurant I've dined at. The food itself was just amazing. Brasa features 11 types of meat - leg of lamb, pork sausage, pork ribs, bacon-wrapped chicken, grilled chicken, chicken hearts, top sirloin, bottom sirloin, garlic beef, picanha (a sea salt & garlic rubbed sirloin), and bacon-wrapped filet. The restaurant also features a cinnamon-grilled pineapple that they list as a ""meat"" as its also served rodizio-style but is an excellent refresher between rounds of meat. All the dishes were perfectly seasoned, but keep in mind that as the meat is served on a skewer, the amount of seasoning will vary - the more amount of ""surface"" meat, the more seasoning. My only complaint in terms of food were the appetizer/salad bars. They were good, but by no means outstanding. My advice would be to go lightly here to save room for the meat. Brasa has a fairly lengthy wine list as well as a martini list. The wine list is mostly reds and most wines are available only by the bottle. The by-the-glass list was a good mix of mid-priced, good-quality wines and higher-priced, excellent-quality wines, so I don't feel you can go wrong here. Lastly, the restaurant was beautiful and tastefully decorated with gorgeous paper-lantern light fixtures and comfortable seating. A live jazz band was also playing that night. Overall the restaurant's noice level wasn't too bad, about average for its size. I'd definitely recommend Brasa to anyone wanting to try something new! Pros: Service, Ambience, Quality & Amount of Food Cons: Appetizer/Salad Bar, Not enough whites on wine list, Expensive more

I had the opportunity to visit Brasa this past Tuesday night with an exec from my company as well as a couple from my customer's company (out of TX). Knowing how much they enjoy steak I took the chance on taking them Brasa's (not having gone myself but on a recommendation). I have to say, it paid off in dividends that night. The experience started off with the valet opening the door, a wonderful greet as we entered and the bartendress (a Cowboy's fan) was on the spot with drinks and added blenede perfectly to the football conversation that we had. Our waitress was excellent! Even without being asked, she was there asking if there was anything in particular that we may have wanted, she would have the server there immediately....if not, she brought it herself at one time. Outstanding service! Both the hot and coldhe salad bar were excellent! I, as well as my customers, have been to Fogo De Chao in Dallas (the best in Brazilian churrascaria I've had) and would definitely put Brasa in that category...and heard similar murmurs from the TX folks with me. Don't forget to sample something from the dessert platter...I love tiramisu but was tempted away by the Napoleon. All I can say is I wasn't dissappointed! Very relaxing, wonderful decor and ambience and outstanding service! Heading back this weekend with friends! The price ($35 per person) is standard for this type of fare and should be known when going here, but it is worth every cent. Highly recommended! Pros: Service, food, service Cons: None to mention! more

I went to Brasa yesterday afternoon for lunch. After reading so many good reviews I decided to give it a try. We were told that the lunch bar was $10 and if we wanted the meat it was $17. We decided to have it all. What a mistake! The lunch bar was great and we all enjoyed it. The meat was terrible. The chicken was so salty, the garlic beef was overcooked, dry and to garlicy. The sausage was fatty and the filet was tough, dry and overcooked. Besides all of that the guy with the meat showed up ONCE during out time there. We basically got 4 cubes of meat for the additional $7. The waitress was very nice and she only charged us for the salad bar. I recommend if you go you ONLY get the salad bar. The meat is not worth it. Pros: The salad bar Cons: The meat more

I dined at Brasa with a group of my co-workers for lunch. It was a great experience! The restaurant is just a short drive from RTP and we were able to get in and out of the restaurant in a timely manner. The buffet was stocked with a large variety of salads and fruits and the hot entrees were very tasty. As far as the meats go, they were able to cook them to our satisfaction and they were delicious. It was great knowing we were going to a restaurant we could all find something to enjoy for lunch. Also, the staff was polite and willing to explain the innovative concept of the Brazilian Steakhouse. I will have to say, I was pleasantly surprised with Brasa. I will be going back!! Pros: The decor, Service, Food more

First time to Brasa last weekend. The staff rather arrogant and doesn't care to be asked questions. more

After reading some of the other reviews on here, we were a bit apprehensive about going, however once we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised. Pros: Service, Food, Ambience Cons: Price perhaps more

I'd read a couple of other reviews of BRASA which weren't very good, which surprised me, since I'd been there once and found it to be OUTSTANDING. I went again on 7/30/06, with my wife & daughters (ages 10 & 8). BRASA was great again, if not better than my last visit in May/June. The meats were unbelievable as was the salad and other items from the ""food bar."" Pros: Food, Service, Ambience Cons: Pricey, but you know that going in. more

Brasa offers a unique dining experience in a cozy and rustic atmosphere. The only downfall is the price. At $35 per person, you have high expectations from the beginning. The expectations are mostly met, but due to the ""brazilian steakhouse"" style of dining, you may leave feeling you did not receive the fine meal you may have expected for the price. The salad and appetizer bar had several substantial offerings, including jumbo shrimp, smoked salmon, sushi, and steamed oysters. The meats flow freely and the lamb, pork tenderloin, bacon-wrapped filet and bacon-wrapped chicken were our favorite selections. The grilled pineapple is very tasty as well. While the brazilian steakhouse motif is rather entertaining, the ""all you can eat"" atmosphere and self-service bar may make you feel less enthusiastic about shelling out $80 for one meal for two people (who did not even order drinks.) If you are looking for a unique, entertaining dining experience with the opportunity to sample many different foods, then this place is ideal if you are not concerned about the price. Pros: Atmosphere, Wide variety of foods to sample Cons: Price more

My first experience of churrascaria was Fogo De Chao (which is top of the line) in Atlanta. There are only 6 in the US, all in major cities. It was the most amazing thing I had ever done, had been back several times, and anticipated the arrival of a churrascaria in Raleigh. Then came Rio - haven't returned since it opened. Then Brasa opened. PERFECT - the scene was amazing, the steak was cooked perfectly, and the hot and cold bars were very impressive. Service was impeccable. We were recommended a very nice chilean bottle of wine by the manager, who then served it to us himself. Out table wasn't forgotten by the meat either. We actually had to USE our red/green card, unlike in Rio, or the meat kept returning! the Bar was very nice, as well as the bartenders and the live music. beautiful atmosphere! Pros: MEAT, atmosphere, service more

We ate at Brasa for the first time this weekend and simply could not believe that one restaurant could be that classy. We were directed to wait in the bar area before our meal (be sure to make reservations), which turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The bartenders were very personable and the drinks were flawless... but it didn't stop at the bar. The food was immaculate and plentiful and the service was upbeat and excellent. The unique atmosphere put the finishing touches on this exquisite dinner and I would highly recommend Brasa to anyone that would enjoy an upscale, classy, fine dining experience. This restaurant was anything BUT so so (as stated in the previous review). This person obviously hasn't even been inside the place and doesn't know what they're talking about! GREAT PLACE.... TEN STARS!!! more

Great concept.. Great decor.. Slow service.. bland and cold food.. TERRIBLE BARTENDERS!! We moved to the bar after dinner. WHAT A MISTAKE! They looked like they pulled some girl from the back and told her to bartend for her first time! Probably wont be back for a while.. Pros: Decor Cons: Bland Food, Terrible bar service more

I have been to several other brazilian steakhouses and my favorite is in Ft. Lauderdale, so I have something to compare this style place to. First of all if you want a great ambiance and stylish place to visit then this is the place for you but overall the food quality and selection was below average...Not many choices and the flavor was average for $35 per person! I would recommend visiting Brasa's Bar for a glass of wine or a cocktail..great seating area with leather couches and fireplace but for the best bang for your buck or even a place to splurge...I would think twice. After my first visit I doubt I will go back. Pros: ambiance, style Cons: selection, quality more

I was very disappointed with this resturant. I've had original Brasilian cuisine in various regions of Brasil, and this place doesn't do the cuisine justice. The meat wasn't prepared with the same flavor as the original cusine. They didn't really have what I expected. I was really surprised. This place has been americanized... If you are looking to try true original Brasilan cusine, skip this place... more

We decided to try this place because it looked interesting. We thought we were coming into a regular steakhouse, had no idea what a ""Brazilian Steakhouse"" was. We were never asked if we'd been there before, or knew how it worked. The waiter seemed irritated at having to explain. By the time we found out how much this trip was going to cost us, we were too embarrassed to leave. The best part of this trip was the appetizer bar, and that's not saying much. The meats they had were dry and tasteless. I love lamb but the lamb I ate was the worst I've ever had - it tased more like liver! We finally had to ask the manager for some garlic beef, one of their signature meats, because no one had brought any around during the 45 minutes we were there. Save your money! Pros: not crowded Cons: overpriced, stuck up wait staff, did I say overpriced? more

This is more than outweighed, though, by the mediocre ""extras"" and bad service. Salad bar options tasted it was either from microwave or frozen, minimal supervision by waitstaff meant little water refills or anything else. To top it off, the manager when returning the bill, collided with my shoulder (I was seated and not in the way) as he threw the check and card on the table without a word as he passed by to warmly greet other customers in portuguese. We won't be going back with such service, specially paying $110 per couple. Cons: Service, Food more

The BEST EVER!! Service was excelent, not bad looking, very cute waitress. Food Grade A. The best filet ever. Pineapple coated in cinnamon and sugar and fire roasted was to die for. It melts in your mouth with goodness. I think there are 12 meats to pick from . I stopped counting after the 10th came by. Every thing was Great and I think this resaurant will take all the other steakhouses down to their graves . If you want great food and great service go to Brasa. Ask for the tall short haired blond she will take great care of you, never had better service than her and I have been to some fancy places. Make sure you try the special, filet, pineapple, lamb, everything. I cannot wait to go back awesome!!!!!! Pros: Service, Food, valet Cons: none, none, none more

Wow, lots of opinions here. Even after disgarding Brasa's blantant self-reviews here, I figured I'd try this out for myself. Brasa is very fancy in appearance. Quite clean and very impressive atmosphere. Wine list was decent. Salad bar was good. Seafood was very good. Setup was straightforward with the green/red coins you flip to get meat. But sorry Brasa, the $ you charge is obviously going to pay the rent, because it's not going to your butcher. The meats were terrible, and that's why I went. Like others said, lamb and fillet were sparse at best. Everything was chewy and lacked any flavor, including the fillet. If you want to impress someone with atmosphere, take them to Brasa. If you want to have a great meal, go elsewhere. This is mall food meat at fine dining prices. Pros: Ambience, Seafood Cons: Price, Meats, Ethics (self-reviews) more

Seems like staff from Rio Churrascarria gave their opinion!. Jealousy gets people nowhere, which appears to be happening. At any rate, if you want to go cheap, go to Rio's. You get your meat, a bunch of baked beans or whatever set up family style, and a check. Big deal. I was completely turned off by my experience at Rio's. If $35 is a lot of money to you - don't go to Brasa. But you don't go to Ruth's Chris and expect to pay Outback prices. They have a great restaurant and great food and someone is trying hard to break them down because they know it and feel the pressure. If you go in knowing what you'll pay and that the food is really good - you'll walk away feeling impressed and satisfied. Brasa, keep up the great work and don't worry about the negativity from RC! Pros: Great Food, Great Fun, Great Environment more