Restaurant Reviews for Pampas!

Moveable Feast: Pampas Churrascaria does meat right, one skewer at a time

By Heidi Knapp Rinella
REVIEW-JOURNAL

What do you get when you cross a buffet with a steakhouse? As much meat as anybody could possibly want with a meal.

If you're not familiar with Brazilian grill/rodizio/churrascaria, here's how it works: Servers bearing Zorro-proportioned skewers (those would be the "rodizio" part of it; the skewers go into the rotisserie for cooking and are removed for serving) bring the meats -- primarily beef, naturally, but others as well -- to the table, where the server and the customer work together to get it from the skewer to the plate. At Pampas, the server begins to cut the meat from the skewer and tells the customer when to grab it with the little pair of tongs that's part of each place setting.

And so, you eat. And wait for the next skewer-bearing server to come by. And the next and the next and the next until you've eaten your fill. There are, after all, a lot of meat-eaters in this town and among its tourists, and Pampas does meat right.



Pampas Brazilian Grille

Vegas.com; Las Vegas.com

Meat, on a sword, at your table...Pampas Brazilian Grille inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood is not your average restaurant in a mall. Pampas serves up something different, not just in the food, but in how they serve it.

Fresh grilled meats are served on a long skewer and brought to your table to be carved tableside. There are 11 different meats making their way around the room, usually three or four at a time.

The finest cuts of meat are prepared with traditional Brazilian spices and spit-roasted over a brick Rodizio to perfection. Meat selections include picanha (noble sirloin), which is typically the most popular cut. There is also a chicken skewer that comes to your table, perfectly seasoned with hints of a secret blend of Brazilian spices, rock salt, and red and yellow peppers. The filet mignon is covered with parmesan cheese. Filet and cheese? Now we’re talking. Other choices include tender-cooked lamb, turkey wrapped in bacon, spicy Brazilian sausage and a juicy ham and pineapple combo. Skewers of grilled seafoods can also be added.

The casual-dining restaurant features a well-rounded wine list. A cocktail list includes caipirinha, a traditional Brazilian beverage served with ypioca, cacheeca, lime and sangria, made with red or white crème de Bordeaux and fresh fruit.

The delicious meat offerings, great salad and side bar, paired with the casual-dining environment and simple, rustic décor is why Pampas should be a must-visit on your vacation “to do” list.




Best of Las Vegas 2008

Zagat

Pampas Churrascaria

“Meat is the main attraction (but not the only attraction) at this churrascaria in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood where those who come hungry are rewarded with plentiful quantities of Brazilian rotisserie (skewered sirloin, filet, roast pork, lamb, spicy sausage, chicken, turkey wrapped in bacon, ham and pineapple and fresh seafoods) that just keep coming until you cry uncle. Price tags for all you can eat feasts are reasonable, with half price deals for kids and lower tabs at lunch.