meat up here

Sizzling new Brazilian steakhouse and churrascaria fires up in the Galleria

Houstonians with an appetite for meat on skewers have a new option in the Galleria area. Casa Do Brazil has fired up its rodizo.

A Brazilian steakhouse with a sister location in College Station, Casa Do Brazil retained local firm Construction Concepts (BCK, Ninfa's Uptown) to transform the former Tango & Malbec space at 2800 Sage Rd. Changes include an all-new bar area, a custom grill for roasting meat, and, of course, the all-important salad bar that serves a selection of vegetables, cheeses, charcuterie, and more.

Still, a churrascaria is all about the meat. At Casa Do Brasil, the beef on the all-you-can-eat menu is USDA Prime and covers all the cuts one would expect from this style of restaurant: top sirloin, bottom sirloin, ribeye, filet, etc. Other selections include pork ribs, pork tenderloin, lamb, and bacon-wrapped beef and chicken. Pescetarians will find a wood-grilled salmon filet as their primary choice (or shrimp cocktail) with the ability to add access to the salad bar for an additional fee.

For those who want a lighter experience, Casa Do Brasil offers a lighter menu in its bar and patio areas. Selections include an array of appetizers (empanadas, ceviche, smoked crab and kale dip, etc) along with a la carte meat and seafood entrees. A happy hour menu, served in the bar and patio daily from 4-7 pm, features an array of $7 bar bites, $7 cocktails, $7 wines by-the-glass, and $5 drafts. A 22-foot floor-to-ceiling wine wall displays the restaurant's inventory.

“From the beginning, it has been our mission to deliver an authentic churrasco experience in a fine dining setting,” general manager and co-owner Israel Casas said in a statement. “Our newest restaurant perfectly delivers on both dining and design. We understand many people are familiar with Brazilian steakhouses, but the ‘Casa Experience’ goes beyond the ordinary. We pride ourselves on offering the finest cuts of USDA Prime beef and preserving these classic cooking techniques. Our team is very excited to be a part of the Houston restaurant community.”

It will take something “beyond the ordinary” to stand out in Houston's crowded market for both steakhouses and churrascarias. In addition to all of the established players, Gauchos do Sul, a restaurant with a location in Vintage Park, opened in Highland Village earlier this year. King Ranch Texas Kitchen, a new restaurant from Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta, will open near the intersection of Post Oak and San Felipe in the coming weeks.

Picanha on a skewer.

Photo by Quy Tran Photography

Picanha on a skewer.

openings news-you-can-eat

Weekend event planner

Here are the top 14 things to do in Houston this weekend

Courtesy photo

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The weather this weekend is going to be absolutely glorious, according to the experts at Space City Weather. From farm tours to arts festivals, Houstonians have lots of reasons to be outside at some point during the next few days.

This weekend offers lots of other entertainment options, ranging from a mezcal class to a winery opening and any number of ways to spruce up both home and garden. So get out there and enjoy.

Here are your best bets for the weekend.

Thursday, March 23

Asia Society Texas and Houston Ballet present The Tale Behind Genji: A Conversation With Dr. Melissa McCormick and Nao Kusuzaki
Harvard scholar Dr. Melissa McCormick and artistic director Nao Kusuzaki will present an insightful talk about the classic novel The Tale of Genji, prior to the world premiere of the ballet Genji. Dr. McCormick will provide an overview of The Tale of Genji and place it in the context of Japanese culture, global literature, and its influence on other art forms. Ms. Kusuzaki will discuss her artistic approach to creating Genji, the first ballet adaptation of this foundational masterpiece. The talk will include a Q&A period with the audience. 7 pm.

4th Wall Theatre Company presents Sanctuary City
Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok presents the powerful story of two young DREAMers who fight to establish a place for themselves in America, the only country they know as home. Poignant, timely, and highly theatrical, Sanctuary City illuminates the triumphs and challenges these lifelong friends face, and how much they are willing to risk for each other when they have everything to lose. Through Saturday, April 15. 7:30 pm (3 pm Sunday).

DACAMERA presents Ensemble Intercontemporain with Matthias Pintscher
Ensemble Intercontemporain, the winners of the prestigious Polar Music Prize for 2022, will make their first-ever Texas appearance. Founded in France in 1976 by composer/director Pierre Boulez and under the direction of world-renowned conductor Matthias Pintscher, the Ensemble presents Schoenberg’s early 20th-century masterpiece, which the composer wrote “seeks to express all that swells in us subconsciously like a dream,” and Boulez’s kaleidoscopic, propulsive Dérive 2. 7:30 pm.

Friday, March 24

Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park
The three-day Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park will spotlight the festival’s featured artist Dewey James, a mixed-media artist from Minneapolis, along with 300 artists from across the country. As the nation’s premier, spring outdoor art festival, Bayou City Art Festival will provide patrons with the opportunity to personally meet artists, view original works, and purchase artwork from 19 art disciplines including world-class paintings, prints, jewelry, sculptures, and more at prices for everyone. 10 am (noon Sunday).

Wine Vibes Micro Winery and Bistro Grand Opening
Wine Vibes Micro Winery and Bistro will have its grand opening in Missouri City this weekend. Although it’s been open to the community since February, this woman-owned, experience-focused micro winery features high-quality wine from across the U.S. The unique collection reflects their story and the future of winemaking — one swirl, sip, and savor at a time. They are also committed to crushing industry barriers, elevating patron experiences, and introducing new varieties and regions in an approachable, fun, and friendly way. 3 pm.

Houston Botanic Garden presents History of Mezcal
Blending education and tastings with Rafael Avila, a small batch producer of Mezcal in Mexico, the History of Mezcal will provide attendees with knowledge of and increased appreciation for the history and cultural uses of North America's original spirit.

The presentation will cover various aspects of mezcal, including etymology of the word, historical origins, artisanal production, diversity of the genus Agave, and the differences between tequila and mezcal. 4 pm.

36th Annual Art Car Parade Weekend Kickoff Party
It’s that time again for all the freaky-looking cars in H-Town to start rolling on these city streets. The official kickoff party for the 36th Annual Art Car Parade Weekend will feature 50+ art cars on display, cold local craft brews at the Ion’s Second Draught taproom, multiple food trucks, an assortment of lawn games, and musical stylings by DJ REDD. Participating Art Car artists: Bring your art car and don’t forget to pick up your Art Car Weekend packets. 5 pm.

Saturday, March 25

Cy-Fair Home and Outdoor Living Show
The two-day, 16th Annual Cy-Fair Home and Outdoor Living Show will feature special guest appearances and over 100 exhibitors with the latest in-home products and services on the market. A DIY Home Décor welcome mat by AR Workshop or canvas pillow will be given to all attendees. There will also be a live tree wholesale from B&A Tree Farm. Shoppers can also find a bargain at the Greater Houston Builders Association Remodeler’s Council charity garage sale. 9 am.

Houston Modern Home Tour
The Modern Architecture + Design Society (MA+DS) is continuing its annual tradition of showcasing some of the best examples of modern architecture and design in Houston. The annual tour, presented by BEC Engineers and Consultants, will open doors for a day of architecture exploration and give local architects, designers, and home builders the opportunity to showcase their work directly to the community. Addresses of homes are provided to ticketholders. 10 am.

Katy Home & Garden Show
At this two-day home and garden show, guests can get inspired to kick start or finalize renovation plans with the help of design and renovation experts of one-stop shopping, including decorating, gardening, remodeling, window treatments, home theater, landscaping, kitchens & baths, do-it-yourself, flooring, windows & doors, siding, heating/cooling, pools, outdoor entertainment, and a myriad of other home-related products and services. 10 am.

Bellaire United Methodist Church presents “Blessing of the Animals”
Bellaire United Methodist Church will host its 11th annual “Blessing of the Animals,” where people of all faiths can bring their pets and have them blessed by the church's pastors.

All pets should be friendly and either on a leash or in protective carriers, cages, fish bowls, or terrariums. Professional photographer Nikky LaWell will also provide attendees with a free digital photo of their pet’s individual blessing, which will be available for download afterwards from the church’s website. 1 pm.

Sunday, March 26

Harvest Green presents Village Farm Tours
On the fourth Sunday of each month, visitors can tour the Village Farm at Harvest Green in Richmond for an up-close look at what it takes to keep a farm running. The Richmond community’s Farm Educators teach visitors about seasonal produce as they guide them around the farm. Stops will be made to sample produce and visit with Harvest Green’s chickens and Nubian goats. Admission is free with registration. 1:30 pm.

CASULANA Women's Choir of Houston presents Seasons
The CASULANA Women's Choir of Houston will explore the changing seasons of nature and of life through music. The performance will feature music by long-favorite composers Robert & Clara Schumann and Edward Elgar, as well as pieces by living composers Abbie Betinis, Erik Esenvalds, and Gwyneth Walker. Led by artistic directors Janwin Overstreet-Goode and Neena Taylor, the 34-voice choir will be joined by collaborative pianist Barbara Jones and guest musicians on violin, flute, and cello. 3 pm.

Houston Chamber Choir presents Heart & Song
Houston Chamber Choir presents its 2023 gala, a celebration/festive party for current supporters, as well as an opportunity for new friends to experience what the Choir is about. The gala features a $100,000 challenge match from a generous donor. Every dollar raised will be matched one-to-one, up to $100,000, so that patron donations will count double to support the Choir and its 2023-24 season. Dinner will be served later in the evening, with a program and entertainment featuring soloists from the Choir. 6 pm.