A friend was telling me about a Brazilian place in mid town that is a buffet. The name was long and hard to say. I know there must be a bunch of them but does anyone know what I'm talking about? And if so is it any good?

Sorry thats mid town NYC

Churrascaria Platforma 316 w 49th. I've never been. It's not a buffet exactly. There's a salad bar & then they bring around skewered meats. Gets a good rating in Zagats.

Thanks, that name is something else

The serving and cooking style is generally known as "rodizio". I've been to Churrascaria Platforma. Nice upscale atmosphere, phenomenal salad bar wiht good coctkail shrimp on it and the rest of the food is good. IMHO very overpriced. We went with three people - each had two soft drinks, two of us had dessert and coffee and we all had the standard rodizio dinner - it was $180 before tip. Not knocking it but you can do better elsewhere. Rodizio is much cheaper elsewhere (e.g. the Portuguese and Brazilian section of Jersey City known as "Ironbound".

I've been there and to other Rodizio's in NYC. WIters generally regard Greenfield's in Queens as the best and I'd agree on a price for food basis, the atmosphere leaves something to be desired. The general problem with these places is the cooking of the meat is hit or miss. It tends to either be overdone and dry, or rare and bloody. No lie, at Plataforma, the "gaucho" jabs the tip of the skewer of prime rib into the tablecloth as he prepares to cut the meat and blood goes flying everywhere, gets on people's sleeves. I like rare meat so I thought it was funny but others were a little grossed out. It's a fun place to go in a group but once is generally enough. A little more trendy and intimate is Riodizio on Lafayette St in the E Village. No sure if it is still open, might be a could bucks cheaper than Plataforma. Greenfields was less than $20 about 5 years ago, I think Plataforma runs $37+ tax/tip/drinks these days.

Riodizio on Lafayette Street is long gone. It was a really cool place though..

I recommend going into Newark for authentic Brazilian food. There are several restaurants in the Ironbound section that are fabulous, much better than anything in NYC..Iberian Peninsula is one of the best Portuguese places..and easy to get to from NY..

For nouveau Brazilian, try Pico in NYC. It's incredible.. I forgot the street, but it's right next to the Harrison in the WEst Village area.

Enjoy a caprinha!