Churrasco experience at Fogo de Chao, Woodland Hills. Photo courtesy of Fogo de Chao.
Renowned for its authentic Brazilian dining experience, Fogo de Chao has just opened its fifth Los Angeles location.
It’s situated across from Topanga Village, an upscale, open-air shopping center that’s helped make the once-sleepy Woodland Hills area the San Fernando Valley’s newest dining destination.
Fogo de Chao is most famous for its churrasco. This culinary tradition of cooking meat over open flames began with Brazilian gauchos during the 17th century. These grilled meats – you’ll be offered around a dozen or more different types and cuts – are hand-carved tableside and served continuously at Fogo de Chao.
We got to enjoy the churrasco experience at the new location’s opening night celebration. The best cut of meat was the picanha, a flavorful filet that’s Fogo’s signature meat. Other churrasco options include filet mignon, ribs of pork or beef, lamb chops, bacon-wrapped chicken, and more.
Fogo de Chao is more than a haven for meat eaters, however. Vegetarians and carnivores alike love its Market Table. This buffet features dozens of side dishes, many of them meatless, including fresh seasonal salads, a variety of vegetables (including some exotic varieties), smoked salmon, charcuterie, soup, Fogo feijoada (a traditional black bean stew with sausage served with rice), and farofa (baked yuca flour with bacon). You’ll also find dragonfruit and other exotic fruits, cheeses like grana padano, manchego, and marinated feta, assorted olives, grilled veggies, Brazilian street corn, and more.
Fogo’s major bargain is the $15 Gaucho Lunch. Served on weekdays, you can feast on the dozens of items offered at the Market Table and Feijoada Bar.
You’ll find an impressive wine list, with excellent wines sourced from Argentina, Chile, and, of course, California.
Gallery images: Karin E. Baker for The LA Beat
Largely inspired by South America, the cocktails at Fogo de Chao are also standouts. My favorites were the Passionfruit Caipirinha and the Strawberry Hibiscus Caipirinha. I heard good things about the Cucumber Mint Smash and Jorge’s Sour (Woodford Reserve bourbon, Licor 43, lemon, honey, and Malbec). There are also several low-ABV options if you’re a light drinker.
Who can resist All-Day Happy Hour? You’ll find $5 Brazilian Beers, $7 South American Wines, and $9 Brazilian-inspired Cocktails.
We loved both desserts we tried: Key Lime Pie and decadent Chocolate Molten Cake. I’ll definitely return for the Papaya Cream (fresh papaya blended with vanilla ice cream and topped with creme de cassis) and the Acai Cheesecake.
The decor at the new Woodland Hills location is striking, with expansive windows, modern chandeliers, natural wood paneling, and a rich, Brazilian-inspired color palette. There’s a large, covered outdoor patio and an indoor-outdoor bar, while the Market Table is made of white Carrera marble.
This location, the only Fogo de Chao in the San Fernando Valley, is located in Q Topanga, a new luxury high-rise, at 6263 Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Woodland Hills. The phone is 213.282.6699.
