Not for Wimps
When my husband met me for my birthday dinner at Braza in May of 2005, the first thing he said was, "Somebody brought cannolis in to the office this afternoon.""You didn't!" I exclaimed.
"Could you have resisted a cannoli?" he asked.
"Of course," I said. I knew from what I'd read about Braza that our stomachs' endurance would be tested. Still, even I was a bit unprepared for our evening of extreme eating.
For starters, the newest restaurant in the Hot Tomato's Restaurant Group boasts the Hartford area's most eclectic and extensive salad bar. I'm not talking about a few types of lettuce and some sprouts and celery. In addition to traditional salad fixings, the spread included cocktail shrimp, steamed mussels, hearts of palm, roasted vegetables, rice and beans, couscous salad and a hot fish dish.
Next, our server arrived with side dishes--yucca fries, cheesy Brazilian bread, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, salsa and farofa (a starchy substance suitable for soaking up meat juices). We also received cardboard discs with red and green sides that would allow us to indicate whether servers should continue to bring meat selections to the table.
Bruce swigged his Brazilian beer, I sipped Argentine wine... and we braced ourselves.
Meat, Meat and More Meat
"What are you doing?" I gasped, as he flipped his disc to red. A quick count showed we were only half-way through the 14 meats typically presented each evening (a condensed line-up of about 7 selections is offered at lunchtime).
Just as some husbands yield to their wives' nagging about mowing the lawn or fixing the drippy sink, Bruce dutifully flipped his disc back to green. It was a good thing because two of our favorite meats were still to come--the parmesan-encrusted pork and garlic-smothered picanha steak, plus roasted lamb, salmon, chile-rubbed and jerk-rubbed chicken wings, pork tenderloin and barbecued brisket.
We enjoyed all but a few of the selections, which were a bit dry and probably took one too many turns on the rotisserie. The hard-working staff was happy to fulfill our requests to return with our favorites.
Room for Dessert?
Bruce ordered espresso. I had cappuccino. And yes, we ordered dessert, although I still can't explain how we managed to consume the house special chocolate-filled buñuelos. These light pastry puffs bursting with molten chocolate and accompanied by dulce de leche dipping sauce were the perfect sweet ending to a night of excess.Yes, I had a meat hangover the next day, and neither of us wanted to eat again for about a day and a half. In good conscience, I can't encourage you to become a "regular" at Churrascaria Braza, unless you simply want to join the seemingly content crowd at the bar or you have the willpower to order only the salad buffet. But do choose this unique Hartford restaurant the next time a celebration calls for a true feast.
All About Churrascaria Braza
Contact: For reservations and other information, call Braza at 860-882-1839.
Hours: As of 2007, Churrascaria Braza is open for lunch Monday through Friday and for dinner nightly.
Prices: As of 2007, the fixed price is $28.95 for dinner, $14.95 for lunch. This includes everything except beverages, desserts, tax and gratuity.
