by Andrew Chalk
Popular Brazilian churrascaria Fogo de Chão has been at work on the bar and lounge of their Plano location. They have given it a total renovation and added new fall menu offerings to spice things up. Check out the pictures below to see the new ‘Next Level Bar’ as they call it. It looks more upscale and classic to me with inlaid gold and polished surfaces.
The menu has some really important changes. At a recent media event I had the opportunity to sample the Australian Wagyu Steak. Carved wafer thin and dotted with sea salt it simply melts in the mouth with a rich, buttery sweetness. I paired it with charcoal studded roast eggplant steamed asparagus spears from the Fogo buffet table. It was a heaven-sent combination. To drink, I recommend the Vik ‘La Piu Belle’ Red Blend a full-bodied Chilean wine that stands up to red meat while offering complex red and black fruit notes in the mouth. Interesting fact: Fogo de Chão is so serious about this wine they sent a staff contingent, including Plano General Manager Nicolau Retsos, to the Vik winery in central Chile last year to see things for themselves!
Also new to the menu -- and way more showy - is a Dry-Aged Tomahawk Rib-eye that is part meal, part conversation starter. Among other additions, I recommend the Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup, its rich earthy flavors make it the ideal fall starter.
The menu changes are at all Fogo de Chão locations. The Plano branch is inside The Shops at Legacy (at the Headquarters Drive end).
Two things you may not know about Fogo de Chão:
They have one of the best salad bars (they call it a 'market table' to reflect its broad coverage) in town. So, in a touch of irony, vegetarians can eat better there than at most places;
Lunch starts as low as $15. Best of Brazil dinner is $39/person.