A Fogo Valentine's

I make it no secret that I am not a believer in Valentine's Day. To me, it just seems like a pointless holiday truly designed so retailers could make some extra cash between Christmas and Easter. I realize that there is an actual history to Valentine's Day, but I still don't think it warrants a night of celebration.

That said, I have still had my fair share of Valentine celebrations. Hey, I am not an idiot, if the guy doesn't at least make an attempt at remembering Valentine's Day and doing something special, then it is a one way trip to the doghouse. Luckily, I married a woman who shares my dislike of v-day and so at most, we may have dinner, if we feel like it.

Well, Saturday night we actually had the opportunity to get out with a couple of clothes friends and celebrate v-day, though we were more celebrating my wife not having to work and the fact that we got a sitter for the night. In honor of this special occasion, we decided to hit a new restaurant that opened up on the Country Club Plaza. This just isn't any new restaurant, it is a brazilian steakhouse, where they specialize in Meat, Meat, and more Meat!!!!! The name of this grand place is Fogo de Chao!

If you have never eaten at a brazilian steakhouse, I give it a must try. If there is a Fogo de Chao near you, then I definitely recommend you go there, it is awesome. What makes a brazilian steakhouse different from other steakhouses is choices. See, at other steakhouses, you have to choose what steak you want, or maybe chicken, or lamb, whatever your appetite, but you have to choose only one. Well at a brazilian steakhouse, you can have it all, over and over again! The concept is simple, start with a really good salad bar, then move on to the main course. They start by bringing out your side dishes, no choice needed, you get some Polenta(fried cornbread), carmelized bananas, garlic mashed potato's, and cheese bread. They will bring all of it to you, and if you eat it all, they will bring you more, no extra cost. Then, it is time for the walk to heaven.

When you are seated, you are given a little card, looks like a coaster, one side is red, the other side is green. When you are ready for your entree, simply flip the card over to green and wait for a slice of bliss. Gaucho's will come around to your table, each carrying a giant skewer of meat that, at your request, they will cut a slice off for you to eat. So, you don't have to worry about making a bad choice, if you don't like what you got, don't eat it and wait for more meat to come by. However, I have yet to try any of their meat that isn't good, it is all delicious. You can get sirloin, ribeye, filet mignon, bacon wrapped chicken, parmesan pork, and lamb just for starters.

They offer 15 different types of meat that you can eat, and you can eat as much of it, the salad bar, and side dishes that you want. They have a great wine selection, and the dessert was amazing, if you can save room. If you love red meat, like I do, then you will never go to a better place. We stuffed our face for a good hour and a half and left extremely satisfied. The meal is one flat price, beverage, taxes, dessert are extra. The best thing is, if you are wanting to save a buck or two, then I recommend a lunch date. All the same great food, half the price.

Needless to say, this was a great Valentine's Day, and I will definitely be back to get some great food. So, if you haven't been to Fogo de Chao, go, if you haven't eaten at a Brazilian steakhouse, go!