Picanha Brazilian Grill

On a warm summer's eve, a group of friends ventured to dine at a well-known spot in Northeast Philly. The place I'm referring to is the local Brazilian, restaurant Picanha Brazilian Grill, on Castor Avenue. I'd heard good things about this place and was anxious to try out the spot that had garnered favorable reviews by many past visitors.

This restaurant has been compared to the more upscale "Fogo de Chao" in center city Philadelphia, but the ambience is not as integral to experience nor is the price. That said, Picanha is a restaurant that is serious about grilled meat. While the buffet is not spectacular, it is a prefect support system for the specialty.

The salad bar was nicely lit and greens looked nice and tasted fresh as well as the selection of fruits, although the pickings were slim with respect to vegetables. There was a nice tomato salad that I enjoyed, and slightly pickled, roasted beets that were also tasty.

You have to know how to pace yourself in a place Picanha, because you are immediately tempted to load up at the salad bar and buffet before the main meat dishes are served (if you opted to go with the all-you-can-eat option). Once you fill your initial plate with the selection of rice, potatoes, noodles and other side dishes including braised beef and roast pork, the meat man brings out the grilled meats.

The meat is brought out on larger skewers that they actually cook the meat on over a rotisserie type grill. The server carries a metal bowl to catch the dripping under the hot meat skewers and expertly slices off the meat onto the waiting platter on the table. With a small tong, or your fork if you're not fussy, partake of the nicely seasoned meat. On this night, our server brought us a nice selection of meats including a sausage or Chorizo, top sirloin, beef ribs, skirt steak, chicken wrapped in bacon, roast beef, and more sirloin steak. Needless to say we got our fill of meat.

I enjoyed just about everything that was served, although my friend Willi said that after a while they seemed to taste the same. I think the roast beef was flavored just right with the right amount of seasoning. I got the outside portion of the sirloin which was very well seasoned, albeit a bit more well done than I prefer.

All in all it was a nice change from typical restaurant fair, the price was a bit steep but for all you can eat I think it was well worth it, and considering $21.99 is half the price of other well-known Brazilian grill in Philly, I'm not complaining. Picanha is a BYOB, but they also serve a nice variety of fruit juices and other beverages.

If by some miracle you have enough room left over to the indulge in dessert, they display a wonderful array of cakes and an assortment of desserts that any sweet lover would enjoy. From flan to rice pudding, lemon cake and a Brazilian chocolate cake, a fine looking white pineapple cake and coconut cake. Take a slice home to preserve the memory.

While I don't think Picanha Brazilian Grill will win huge points for presentation, decor and flair, they score high in my book for flavor and taste.

Picahna Brazillian Grill

6501 Castor Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19149

(215) 743-4647

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