Best Churrascaria in NYC

[steakrules85]

I am planning a graduation party and want to try the best Churrascaria in New York. I have wanted to try a Brazilian rodizio style steakhouse for some time. Me and my father are steak lovers, while my mother and sister really don't like steak. Every time I want to go to a great steakhouse for a big occasion there is a problem because they can never find anything on the menu. However, I read Churrascaria Plataforma has a great salad bar which includes sushi (which my sister loves). And they also offer other cuts of meat besides steak like chicken and turkey( which they both like). So I figured a Churrascaria would be a great place because it would suit everyones needs.
Since there is no Fogo de Chao in NY, I was looking for some alternatives. I have heard great things about Churrascia Plataforma. I checked out the homepage and looked up some pictures of the food and it looks like a real nice place. Is this the best New York has to offer or are there any better ones?

[allthatjez]

I'm really biased to Plataforma. I'm Brazilian and there are some amazing cooks in my family and if THEY like a restaurant...you know it has to be good. If you're talking Churrascaria then there is no better place than Plataforma. The atmosphere is fun and lively. The staff is incredibly attentive. The owner took me by the hand and danced with me in the middle of the restaurant to a lovely boss nova song. oh , that's another thing. There's live music on certain nights. The meat is incredibly tender. The salad bar is AMAZING. There are tons of very traditional Brazilian things like palmito, arroz milanesa, mandioca , etc etc. So Plataforma is my best choice. If i'm looking for a cheap night, I'll go to Brazil Grill on 8th and 48th. It's about 20 pp for rodizio and the meat is good. The salad bar, however, leaves much to be desired. But then again, you get what you pay for.

However, if you are looking for other Brazilian restaurants that don't specify in Rodizio, I'd def go to Astoria. There is a place on 28th ave and 34th street called FAVELA. The food is fantastic. It's exactly what my family cooks at home. It's a really cute restaurant with live music. GREAT caipirinhas.

[mrnyc]

i'll throw in the towel for MASTER GRILL in queens. i havent been in over a year, but we would go for work parties and it was always fairly priced, tasty and fun.

if you want to stay in manhattan, i have only been to the rio de janiero PORCAO, but it was pretty awesome. i'd imagine the park south version is the same.

[JoLi]

I've been to the Rio de Janeiro Porcao and the one in New York, and have to say sadly that it is not the same. RdJ's was better quality and the salad bar much like Plataforma (with sushi and all) but here in New York, I went to the salad bar at Porcao and came back with almost nothing on my plate.

[ltlevy]

Sorry to report that Master Grill, on College Point Blvd in Flushing, is no more.

[JoLi]

There are lots of comparison between Plataforma (CP) and Porcao. Being Brazilian and loving steak, I've been to every imaginable churrascaria there is to offer, both here in the US (Chicago, New York, Texas) and Brazil (Porcao is a brazilian chain).

My vote goes to Churrascaria Plataforma and by a mile.... I think the quality of the meat (while maybe a little superior at Fogo de Chao) is great and the salad bar amazing. When I said that maybe a little superior at Fogo, i only say it because I got a lot of lamb chops at Fogo (which you see at Plataforma but not as often). And if you like saltier fare, Fogo is def more flavourful.

Overall, Plataforma beats all the competition, based on the atmosphere, the rodizio itself and the salad bar.

[mrnyc]

what about variety of meats? i want the chicken hearts and all that stuff too, not just the gringo cuts. thx!

[JoLi]

I always ask for chicken hearts at CP and they will bring it out just for me. So if you don't see something you want, just ask, and they will bring it out.

[JulesNS]

I would def try Porcao on Park S!!! I went there and loved, you'll end up paying the same as Plataforma, but at least you won't be left wiating an hour to get seated even with a reservation, and I thought the service was MUCH better, friendlier staff I think. I read the thing about Will Smith at Plataforma and that's funny cuz I read in a Mag recently that he was at Porcao with his co-stars from some movie that he was filming. Plataforma is def overrated and honestly the Theater District is one of the things that turn me off (think a LOT of kids running around and screaming)

[Bob Martinez]

"Plataforma is def overrated and honestly the Theater District is one of the things that turn me off (think a LOT of kids running around and screaming)"

At prices that add up to around $80 per person with tax and tip I don't see many kids at Plataforma.

[mrb15]

how about a comparison between the Plataforma in Tribeca and Porcao?

[kelea]

I agree with BM, I've never seen kids while I've been there. The salad bar is amazing (believe it or not, they have great unique sushi options there) and the meat is phenomenal. I would recommend a dinner meal over lunch though....just for the sake of options and freshness of food. It's truly a great time and the maitre 'd is entertaining.

[eateryrow]

I've only been to Plataforma and it was great. However, I heard that there's a better one in Queens (Astoria? Jackson Heights?) that's supposed to be better.

[angelo04]

I think the one you are talking about is a small chain. If it's the same one, the one I went to was in White Plains and "Green" in the name. It was very good but I'd say Platforma was better.

[Bob Martinez]

Greenfields. I've never been myself but most (not all) of the comments I've read have been negative.

[Steve R]

I've been to Green Fields (2 words) many, many times (way more than Plataforma). The price was $20 when Plataforma was $50 & that was the main reason. But the comparison is not valid. The meat is good at GF, the salad bar serviceable and the overall dinner worth the price (if you dont order expensive desserts or too many drinks)... Plataforma, on the other hand, has MUCH better cuts of meat, prepared more carefully, with a MUCH higher end salad bar. Worth more than double?... your call. I like pizza. Sometimes I get a slice from my local pizzeria... sometimes I go out of my way and wait for one at DiFara's.

[steakrules85]

What are some of the things offered at the salad bar. The site says it offer "every king of vegetable you can imagine" but can anyone be more specific from what they have experienced. I also see they offer sushi. What else?

[Ora]

CP's salad bar has mixed greens, various sushi, assorted mixed cold salads, salmon, baked brazilian casseroles, shimp in a couple of ways. There are at least 30+ items to select--too much to list here. Just try it...

[steakrules85]

Sounds awesome- what are their casserole dishers. I heard they are brazilian dishes but what specifically.

[Steve R]

I was at C.Plataforma in midtown (W.49th) last night with some friends (party of 7). The meat was of very high quality and without the saltiness. Reasonably good variety as well. However, the salad bar was way below what it should have been. The shrimp were not firm and much smaller than previously seen and the selection was limited compared to previous visits. The service was excellent. Since I dont go there for the salad bar, both Ginny and I were more than satisfied with spending $80pp (not a heavy drinking crowd, although I got 2 caipirinhas) including tax/tip/coffee/desserts (4) for the meal.

[foodabee]

Been to both Porcao and Plataforma, and while I thought Porcao was a bit better (on occasion) Plataforma is much more consistent in their goodness. If this is a one time thing, I would stick with Plataforma.

[angelo04]

This place is real good, more expensive than most but I find the quality of the meat to be better than the cheaper alterantives. The salad bar is extensive, but I personally try to avoid it as I am there for the meat and the sides.

[BoloJungle]

Was at Plataforma last week. I enjoy it, the food is very good (and consistent), the salad bar is impressive (as advertised), and, as an event, its hard to beat. They handle large groups well. But expect a true feeding frenzy - which is part of the fun - but don't expect cozy or intimate conversations. It is festive and very active and you have to be a bit disciplined, I think, otherwise you (and your bathroom scale) will hate yourself for at least 4 days. There were 9 of us, a fairly normal drink order - nothing extravagant - and the total bill, with gratuity, came to $919.

[Ora]

Bolo, I agree with your description 100%. Also, we were a group of 4, bill was $310 including tax, tip, a few drinks and a couple of desserts.

[eternalX]

If you want to pay a bit less, go for lunch. Though I imagine that's valid for any restaurant, Brazilians typically eat their big meals at lunch with a smaller dinner. Give yourself some more time to digest that food :)

[savina]

I went with a group about that size and had a similar experience. It was a very lively and fun meal. Pricey, but well worth the money.

The only thing about the place that disappointed me was that I was hoping for some more exotic meat selections. Ostrich, perhaps? Or Kangaroo?

[Ora]

Here's recent post: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/386211

I just ate at Churrascaria Plataforma on Sat night. It was good. One person in the group thought the meat was salty. Generally, we had a very good and fun time. The drinks were nice and strong. They tend not to explain all of the various packages/pricing options so check the website before you go and review the menu options.

BTW, Will and Jada Smith were at the very next table having dinner as well.

[steakrules85]

How much was it? And what are some of the different cuts that they offer? Is it really 19 different kinds or what? And what were the best side dishes? Thats cool about Will Smittyy.

[drmoze]

menupages.com will answer most of your questions regarding menu items and cost.....

[Ora]

Best to go to the source directly:
http://www.churrascariaplataforma.com/

[Toot]

Brazilian food is salty, and the meat in Churrascarias will be salty, you can ask the waiter to not give you give the outer slices, the inside slices will be less salty since they brush the piece of meat with spices/salt.

[eternalX]

Agreed. It's the Brazilian way. My Latin father-in-law constantly reminds me how Brazilians only use rock salt and Americans use "too much sauce" :) I like it both ways, personally.

[Steve R]

Plataforma's 2 locations (mid-town and Soho:W.Bdway) are both the best. I hear that Porcao on Park Ave S. (a newcomer w/branches in Brazil) is a little more expensive and not quite as good. These all run $50-60pp not including drinks, desserts, tax/tip. With moderate drinking, it's $100pp.

[steakrules85]

Yeah I was looking at Porcao. It looks a little more upscale, but I am most interested in who has the best food, best environment, most choices.

[ballulah]

I used to work across the street from the one on 49th Street, and we all loved this place. Granted I haven't been in 7 the years since I switched jobs. I hear lots of back and forth about the quality/authenticity/pricing here, but I think for a big celebration for steak lovers Churrascaria Plataforma is just the right kind of place...and non-steak lovers will not feel shafted by the choices offered them.

[meb903]

churrascia plataforma is the best one. we like the one in the theater district. we've been many time - the salad bar is awesome & the quality of the meats are very good.

[jakew8]

Yeah, you may hear cries that it's not the most authentic (something about the configuration of the spits), but Plataforma is delicious and if you don't like one meat, there are 19 others on their way. The salad bar is monumental.

I think the reason that many people have in mind for recommending the others is price--Plat is like $20 more a person just for the food and the wine markups are huge. But if you're going all-out for a celebratory dinner, just do it.

[hungry_fox]

I third Plataforma, it's definitly very very good