FOGUEIRA
Ramada Plaza, JBR
Ben-vindo! Fogueira is a welcome breath of fresh air. Yes, it’s great place to eat out at, no doubt, but first and foremost it’s a refreshing change of scene in Dubai. Being a Brazilian steakhouse, or churrascaria, Fogueira serves a set menu of hot appetizers, salads, and 15 different cuts of meat to choose from. The good news? It’s unlimited! The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating options. We skipped the rooftop view of Dubai from the 35th floor of the Ramada Plaza JBR and opted to dine at the top table inside to enjoy the live Brazilian band that was playing.
A trip to the salad and sides bar saw our plates fill up with regular veggies and tropical delights – palm hearts and avocadoes. Once back at our tables the passadores (meat waiters) started coming through with a variety of hot appetisers – fried bananas, baked cheese bread, mashed potatoes, black beans, polenta and my friend’s favourite, coxinha, a Brazilian snack made of shredded chicken meat, spiced onions, tomatoes and parsley deep fried in a wheatflour and chicken broth coating.
Before we could finish, the passadores were back, this time with skewers of meat hot off the barbecue and instructions for us – turn the cards on the table green side up if you wish to be served and red side up if you want to stop the endless flow of barbecued meat.
Serving in rodizio style, the passadores moved from table to table offering different cuts of chicken and lamb. My friend couldn’t get enough of the Brazilian picanha (beef rump cap) – juicy, succulent and done to
Caramelised pineapples seasoned with cinnamon cleansed our palates between courses
perfection apparently with its simple rock salt marinade.
The constant servings of meat were occasionally broken with caramelised pineapples seasoned with cinnamon to cleanse the palate between courses. They were so delicious, we each ate a couple even when our palates didn’t need cleaning and our stomachs were full. That didn’t stop us from having a go at the Brazilian corn pudding, which looked like custard and was delicious; creamy with a subtle hint of cinnamon.
Our evening at Fogueira couldn’t have been better – interesting entrées, divine main courses, a dessert that comes a close enough second, pleasant entertainment and a reasonable bill. Add Fogueira’s to your list of must-visit restaurants.