As Chuck and I are accustomed to sharing our meals, we were not sure they would accommodate us, but they were absolutely delighted to have us, and we ended up sharing a meal that produced leftovers. Adding to the ambience of the place was a live guitarist with a magical voice named Alexis. His music permeated the entire restaurant, and he was perched on a stage, which was above the restaurant floor. Before we left, we purchased his CD (email cocoache@hotmail.com to purchase).

The décor of the restaurant is very green and yellow, as if any other color would do for Brasil. A huge palm juts out of the ground in the front, and around another lit tree, a larger than normal pothos and philodendron are sharing its trunk in harmony. A painted hunting jungle scene is décor for one of the walls; to the side is a bar with an enclosure through which you can spot the kitchen in the back. Tablecloths are yellow with a smaller, green contrasting cover. From the ceiling hang these 6 or 7 pointed recycled metal lanterns, which are perforated, and thus allow the light to come through.

To the right of the entrance is where the real action takes place: huge skewers are impaled through chunks of sirloin steak, filet mignon, pork loin, flank steak, rib eyed steak, chicken and turkey. As the meat cooks, you can delight your palate with their fabulous salads (3 kinds, see the photo). There was soup, a vegetable plate, rice, and sweet bananas, which they call Bananas Ipanema.

Within everyone’s view are huge signs which announce the opening of their new location in Cabos San Lucas; they can also be found now in Nuevo Vallarta. We were greeted by the owner/manager as well, and I told him that I was really sorry we had not brought our camera, but that I would definitely want to report on this marvelous culinary adventure when I got back. In fact, we were there 3 days later to take photos during the afternoon. The food is incredibly fresh, and the small taste of meat I had was quite tender. But my heart belonged to the salad, especially the carrots with the red cabbage and whatever other crunchy things they had in there. Unusual and different. Did I mention chicken wings? They’re open from 2pm to 12am.

They have two churrascaria locations that feature all-you-can-eat meats (about 12) served by skewer (gira) wielding meseros dressed á la Brazil with soccer jerseys, though the meats are local, including very tasty rib eye, sirloin, turkey, and chorizo. It includes assorted salads, rice balls, and fried bananas. A huge mango tree grows right in the center! Come very hungry and ask them to go slowly (good luck!). There is air-conditioning for nonsmoking comfort, plus smokers have their own open-air room. Meals for men cost 170p, meals for women cost 140p!