Miami Lakers who want to experience a quality steakhouse without high prices will enjoy El Churrascaso Grill, which opened July 15 in the Cypress Village Shopping Center.
A Brazilian-Latin fusion concept, it serves grilled beef, chicken, pork and seafood dishes.
The open space designed by partner Jorge Gomez has distinctive metal sculptures on each wall, created by artist Harold Marin.
A “butcher’s apron” greets customers at the door. A woman’s face with metal flowers in her hair adorns another corner. Above the kitchen entrance is one of Marin’s cow sculptures, a nod to the menu and the town’s dairy farm history. The sides of booths are edged with cowhide to really lean into the theme.
Over the bar, a painted steel mural is cutout with vibrant, angular figures that are cooking and dining.
“I wanted the wow factor to start at the front door,” said Gomez.
The other principal owners are: Antonio Roussell, whose front of the house restaurant career began after he graduated from college; Gomez’s father Luis Martinez, who has managed restaurants including Casablanca [Seafood Bar & Grill] and fish market on the Miami River, and Gomez’s mother, Carmen Laurencio, an accountant, who manages the books for restaurants including her family’s new dining spot.
“She’s the one with the numbers, holding it all together,” he said.
The restaurant is done in chestnut brown wood with red, yellow and black accents.
“I wanted it to be modern and have a warm feeling, where customers are welcome,” Gomez said. “And I wanted to bring the gastronomy to another level, where you can have a high-end experience with a lower cost.”
The restaurant is part of a South Florida franchise, and each location has its own set of owners, Gomez said.
A Miami Laker for the past 15 years, Gomez said he is providing a local, elegant experience with quality food.
“Many of my friends go elsewhere for dinner,”
Gomez said. “I wanted a place they can enjoy here in Miami Lakes.”
Gomez is also a sales representative for Halperns’ steak and seafood distributors and has two decades of experience with those products.
“Working with the highest quality restaurants and varieties of meats gives me a perspective on how to purchase high quality for the best price, and passing that advantage to our customers,” said Gomez. He said examples of that quality are the steaks and the domestic Wagyu beef carpaccio appetizer.
Specialties such as ribeye or New York strip steaks and salmon can be ordered by weight.
A pound of mixed grilled meats, for $35.99, was perfect for two. It came with a 1/2 pound each of chicken, sausage, moist pork tenderloin, churrasco-style steak and picanha (rump cap), with one side. We ordered tostones (fried green plantains) which were thick with a good crispy border.
It was a delicious lunch, a good deal and allows diners to sample a lot of what the restaurant offers.
The meats paired well with chimichurri sauce made in house.
Brought to the table on a wooden board, the various meats were cooked to requested temperatures and were juicy and flavorful. The pork was a standout, moist and tender.
The churrasco-style steak had a great char and was also gently cooked and tasty.
There are also two-and three-pound options of the meats, which include more sides.
While meat is the star of the show at El Churrascaso Grill, the pan de queso (cheese bread) is a standout among the appetizers. Served with a homemade guava dipping sauce, the six round balls of bread were light, crispy and served piping hot. You may not want to share them.
Also offered by the pound: eight pieces of shrimp ($17.95); filet mignon ($38.95) lamb chops ($41.95) sausage or chicken thighs ($22.95); or bacon-wrapped beef filet or chicken ($41.95 or $19.95).
All of those options are also sold as 8 ounces of protein and two side dishes, sometimes for as much as $10 less.
A $65.99 seafood grill has octopus and shrimp with fried yuca, fried cassava, yellow corn and red onion.
Our lunch was finished on a sweet note with flan and espresso, served with a homemade vanilla cookie.
“Everything is done in house, the sauces, the desserts,” Gomez said.
The flan was creamy and not too sweet, with nice notes of singed caramel syrup and a sprinkle of almonds for a light crunch.
Lazaro Veliz, executive general manager of the Chevrolet dealership at Miami Lakes AutoMall, was a customer, too.
“I knew the restaurant in Miramar,” Veliz said. “And even though it’s a different ownership, the food is delicious and it’s really nice inside.”
A full bar serves cocktails, wine and beer and non-alcoholic drinks.
El Churrascaso Grill, at 7419 Miami Lakes Drive, is open daily at 11:30 a.m. Sunday – Thursday, it closes at 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday it’s open until 11 p.m.
See them on Instagram @elchurrascaso_miamilakes. For a reservation call 786-542-5229.