Espetus Churrascaria

Espetus Churrascaria Restaurant Review:

High ceilings and an enormous space give the San Mateo location of this Brazilian steakhouse a cheerful, roomy atmosphere. Sleek rafters are suspended from a wood plank ceiling evocative of a barn --- a very polished barn. Bright paintings honoring South American gauchos hang throughout the restaurant, offset by more modern features, such as cool clusters of colorful chandeliers shaped like gourds. Waiters travel from table to table, red handkerchiefs knotted around their necks, bearing selections of beef, poultry and seafood skewered on enormous swords, and diners request as much as they'd like. We recommend frequent breaks, easily achieved by spinning the disk on your table from green (more food please) to red (no thank you), in order to try a little bit of everything --- up to 14 choices from shrimp and chicken to various cuts of meat. Wine-marinated sirloin is a high point. The all-you-can-eat format includes an extensive salad bar, with many Brazilian preparations, and a selection of buffet-style side dishes. Desserts are sizable, and sold à la carte, but a better use of appetite would be to revisit your favorite meat preparation. In addition to a full bar, the drinks list includes Brazilian beer, juices from the region, and wines from South America and beyond.