"2"^^ . "4"^^ . "2"^^ . . . "2009-01-28T00:00:00"^^ . "2"^^ . "Fogo e Brasa\n\nCool looking place. I felt like I had entered the \"Enchanted Tiki Room\" at Disneyland when I walked in. \n\nThis is an awesome joint for a carnivore such as me. Service started out brilliant but ended in a bit of a thud for us and those around us. \n\nI took a seat at the bar and was immediately greeted by a very friendly bartender. He recommended a Brazilian Beer to me that I can't remember the name of but was like a chocolate stout. It was awesome. This bar keep was on top of his game as he explained the whole Brazilian BBQ theme in great detail. I was getting hungry just listening to him and wishing my wife would get there already so we can eat. Thought that was a great \"go the extra mile\" service from him. \n\nThe service from our waiter started off great and he also took time to explain everything in detail. He also made recommendations to our preferences. Later when we were eating he asked if I liked spicy sauces and then said he would be back in a moment - he returned with a chili and olive oil side that was wonderful.\n\nThe only negative issue with the service is they all fell in the \"weeds\" busy. \n\nThe food runners delivering the meats to the table became rather scarce as well at the end of the meal. Granted this place was packed and people waiting at the bar to be seated. We overheard one of the runners say to a guest \"Sorry we're busy and just really understaffed.\" \n\nToward the end of the meal our server was rarely seen - a contrast to the beginning of the meal. The table next to us (an 8 top) was getting rather pissed off when the server came 25 minutes after a man ordered his beer and asked him again if he wanted another beer. I ordered another glass of wine and it took over 20 minutes for the waiter to bring it. \n\nThere also was a long gap between the end of the meal and the check process. I found this rather surprising because of all the guests waiting to be seated at the bar. \n\nWith all that said, the food was wonderful. \n\nThe waiter explained that there are 3 different salad stations - a cold salad station, a traditional salad station and a specialty salad station. The latter was awesome as it had crab legs, mussels, and scallops, as well as, a shrimp salad, chicken salad etc. I blew my carnivorous horn loudly as I attacked this cornucopia of proteins from the sea. There also was a hot appetizer section that was equally great. It had a coconut tilapia that was exceptional. I usually don't like coconut dishes as they are to sweet but this was not sweet and its creamy sauce really represented the coconut flavor well. There was egg plant parmegiana that looked like a sloppy mess but had good flavor. Next was a meatloaf dish that that was sliced into medallions. It was alright - a bit dry. Last they had a chafing dish of black beans. It was nothing special to look at but ZOWEEEIII what flavor. Not sure what they put in these black beans but it was a favorable favorite. \n\nNow comes the food runners delivering spickets of food to the table - 16 different kinds of grilled meats. There was turkey breast wrapped in bacon, prime rib, lamb, top sirloin, BBQ chicken, garlic chicken, chicken breast, beef ribs, pork ribs, pork loin, pineapple, tri tip, sausages, ham, chicken hearts etc. WOW!\n\nMy favorites were the MR lamb, tri tip and best was the top sirloin. The top sirloin had this seasoned thin layer of fat on the inside that was spiced wonderfully and made the meat incredible. \n\nLastly, a very nice attractive woman rolls over a cart of homemade confections. I haven't seen an actual \"Rolling Dessert Cart\" since I was a waiter at the Sheraton in New York in the 80's. Nonetheless, it sold my wife who ordered the chocolate mousse cake which she said was decadent. \n\nI rolled out of here literally full for 2 days. Zen Tiki gives Fogo e Brasa the double thumbs up!"^^ . .