Brazilian Grill Restaurant - Bolero

[vodafone_b]

Hi all,

Just wondering if any CPers here have tried the Bolero Fire Grill Restaurant on Macleod Trail (by Smuggler). Is it any good? I've heard good things about this place (food, service etc), and it seems to be a nice place to try out something different. (Brazilian Grill Theme, where they serve you tons of grilled meat (beef, pork, lamb, chicken etc) roasted on a sword, and carved out the meat at your table; they also have a buffet style of hot food servings as well, with a salad bar)

The price is $35 all you can eat style, it seems a bit pricey but it might be worth a try. So just wondering if anyone here has tried out this place before? If so, is it worth it? and worth a try?

Thanks!

[Flaming Choy]

it's a fun experience, a little pricy, but the meat is pretty good. I'd recommend going on a weekend (make a reservation) since they have more servers walking around and don't have to wait for more meat. Also, the pineapple is awesome!

[corporatejay]

One of my really good friend went there about 2 months ago and based on her review on the monday following her visit I am extremely stoked about going. Please post your review (even if it's brief) if you do go, I'm curious to get more opinions.

Is it actually meat from Brazil or just Brazilian style?

[Nufy]

I tried a pace like it in San Diego back in June of last year.

http://www.reidogado.net/

If its anywhere close to that, and you like to eat a lot of different meats, it will be awesome.....

[flip]

Originally Posted by Nufy

I tried a pace like it in San Diego back in June of last year.

http://www.reidogado.net/

If its anywhere close to that, and you like to eat a lot of different meats, it will be awesome.....

why do i get the feeling fotze is going to be all over this statement?

[BlackEleven]

I went when I was back in Calgary for Christmas.

If you like to eat meat and gorge yourself its probably worthwhile. Personally, plate after plate of meat is a bit much for me. They do have a cold bar where you can get sides (like asparagus, mushrooms, rice, peppers, etc) but if you want to try every different kind of meat they have, don't eat too much of this or you'll get full.

The tastiest meats were the rack of lamb and the filet mignon. The pork ribs were decent too. As you might imagine they don't come around with these pricier cuts too often. While the cheaper cuts of beef (disguised under many different names for the same thing) come to the table every 5 minutes or so. They will bring you a particular type of meat if you ask for it, but it can take quite a while. Service was pretty slow while we were there. We were at the restaurant for about 2 hours in total. A lot of the time was spent waiting for the rack of lamb, which was on the menu but never brought to our table until we specifically asked for it.

All in all, not a bad experience, but not a great one either. Honestly, for the $35 I'd rather spend it on a higher quality, smaller portioned meal, but it was nice to try once.

[FurnaceFace]

It's a Brasilian churrascaria. The meat isn't actually from Brasil.

Disclaimer - My company is designing their website (so I may be biased).

I've been to Brasil and eaten in true churrascaria's so comparing Bolero to those it is a good approximation. The meats and styles are much the same. Only difference is in Brasil the salad bar is giant and as soon as you flip your sign to green the servers are all over you to the point you need to flip your sign (or remote as Bolero is calling it) to red.

I've had discussions with their management about their desire to recreate the "server mob" feel I experienced in Brasil and they are working towards that. Not an easy thing given the Calgary job market whereas in Brasil you could have a ton of staff on shift without problem. When I was there the servers came out steadily and we never really felt like we were waiting - except for pineapple.

I think it's a good dining experience, and am extremely happy Calgary has this option.

[Tron_fdc]

Haha be prepared for an overload of meat and protein, and an exploding ass when you get home!!!

Pretty tasty though. I tried it once, but after the beat down the septic system took when we all got home I'm not sure if I'll go back....

[Russic]

Your stomach will thank you, but your colon may not . . . .

[troutman]

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ghlight=bolero

[Titan]

Mike Richards was raving about these places in Texas. Tried to get Pete to go when the Flames were in Dallas.

Boleros is on my list now. Just trying to justify $35 for the wife. I will probably double her intake so it probably will work out!!

[nik-]

I first went to a Churrascaria in Atlanta a few years ago. Fogo de Chao. It was $55 dollars when the exchange rate was at 65%.

I've been to Bolero's twice and both times have been pretty good. At $35 it's a good deal, especially when most steakhouses you're looking at the mid $20's for a nice steak alone. I would rate Bolero on the same level as the Fogo de Chao meat-wise (which you'd hope considering we're in Alberta), but the salad bar at Fogo was better

edit: There is also two "salad bars" at Bolero

One is cold, with cold cuts of meat, cheeses, vegetables and salads and then there's a hot bar with potatoes, stews, rice and the like.

[LChoy]

Another really good thing there, the grilled pinapple!
It's so good, a nice change from the massive amounts of meat you'll be consuming

[Kipper is King]

Bolero's was pretty good, and an interesting experience. On the the particular evening I went there, I found most of the meat to be overdone somewhat. But it was tasty, and quite a fun way to eat.

Personally, I don't know if I'd go back again- it is costly, although you get a ton of meat and it is really unhealthy.

But it definitly is worth trying at least once just for the experience.

[urban1]

Its fun to go for the experience and its good with a group of friends/family.

If you can eat a huge meal, then you can get your moneys worth.

If youre like me, someone who eats many small meals through out the day and really cant eat a huge meal without forcing it down and feeling sick quickly after, then this isnt the place for you. In terms of food, youre better off going to a restaurant of your choice and getting the cut of meat you want there. If you dont mind spending the money, Bolero or a similar place can still be a fun and enjoyable time.

[ricosuave]

Careful that you don't suffer from meatstroke...

http://www.urbandictionary.com/defin...erm=meatstroke

Definately worth the first visit, repeated ones, I don't know, you would have to be pretty hungry to get your $35 worth...

[troutman]

Originally Posted by ricosuave

Careful that you don't suffer from meatstroke...

http://www.urbandictionary.com/defin...erm=meatstroke

Definately worth the first visit, repeated ones, I don't know, you would have to be pretty hungry to get your $35 worth...

Now there's a name for my next punk band.

HELLO VANCOUVER! WE ARE MEATSTROKE!

[Kjesse]

I ate there in September. I was really excited to go because I love the concept.

I'd say if you haven't gone, its worth checking out. The meat was quite good, and the servers were generally really good about bringing meat around regularly.

The pineapple was good but it took forever to get some, there was a large party of about 16 people near us and they ate the entire thing. After the next one came out 20 mins or so later, we managed to get a piece of it because the other table was full.

The night I went the side dish area was kind of messy and unkept, and the side dishes weren't too good... tasted like buffet food that had been sitting too long, which I guess it was.

I'd go again, and I expect they'll improve over time.

[Rjcsjc62]

I am going to Bolero tonight. Does anybody know what the dress there is?

Specifically, are blue jeans OK?