Several churrascarias or Brazilian steakhouses have popped up in recent years, but at Fogo de Chão, though the concept isn't any different-rapid-fire meat delivery that you can't possibly keep up with-the service and quality is impressive. Churrascaria means barbeque in Portuguese. And when you go for barbecue, you want to eat too much of different kinds of meats. Fogo de Chão is a great place to do that. The "picanha," or garlicky top sirloin, is the best cut, the perfect blend of buttery texture and beefy taste (especially when you get a slice with fatty, charred crust on one side). The lamb chops are perfect. The linguica sausage is nicely spiced, and even the beef ribs are tender and full of flavor. The side dishes of caramelized bananas and crispy polenta cakes are hard to stop eating, too. It's hard to criticize what seems like a gimmicky restaurant when the food is this good.

The Brazilian steakhouse piles on the protein without cutting corners