Viva Brazil Restaurant — Restaurant in Hollywood

Went on a Thursday night a month and a half ago at 7pm. Me, wife, 2 kids, mother-in-law. We were the only ones in the place.

First impression: the whole place smelled like a wet dishrag that has been sitting in the sink for a couple days (You know the smell).

The food. This food was inedible. We went up to get meat. The only thing they had ready on the list was what they call "baby beef." Not really sure what cut it was and the guy working the rotisserie couldn't explain it. It was overcooked and dry. The filet was cooked perfectly, the garlic sirloin was well done and dry like jerky. This stuff had been on the spit for hours and hours. Same story with the sausage. If only one thing was ready the first time, why was everything suddenly "ready" 5 minutes after our first trip up? Went back up for chicken. It looked really good, but it was so dry it crumbled in my mouth like sawdust almost. I can't explain it better than that. In fact, the server (who was awesome, btw) was sitting rolling silverware at another table facing us. I made sure to spit the chicken back into my hand and throw it down on my plate in disgust while she was looking (she never did come over to ask if everything was OK, but I think she knew. But still, she was really good.) Everything on the salad bar that should've been hot was lukewarm to room temp AT BEST. Health inspectors would've violated them for not holding food in a steam table/warmer at the proper temp.

I was so hungry and ready for a great meal that I ate what I could anyways. Didn't eat a ton, but enough I guess: Late Friday night I'm laying in bed and my stomach starts cramping like I've never felt before. I end up admitted to the hospital for 4 days (and I can prove it) with a bowel obstruction. Was it likely that the jerky-like and probably undigestable dried meat I consumed at this place was the culprit? Probably. I have the credit card receipt from the night before and the $58,000 hospital bill starting the night after. Does that prove anything? Not necessarily.

Just to be safe, stay far FAR away from this place. If you have good health insurance and have no other option for...

Good evening carnivores. I bring to you a humbly honest review based on a second visit to Viva Brazil. The attached pictures pertain to my first visit, yet in this review I shall coalesce two experiences. First impression was “pleasantly surprised”. The buffet option was chosen as the most ample and effective way of investigating the Brazilian cuisine on offer. In general, buffet’s of any kind are disappointing, but Viva Brazil is far from typical. The food shines, as does the service. Upon my second visit(today), on Sunday the 29th around 6pm, my waitress/server was a young Brazilian bespectacled lady willing to entertain my sense of humor with friendly banter and superbly attentive service. She took the time to instruct me on the proper pronunciation of the letter “D” in Portuguese, which should sound like the “J”, in the word “jeans”. In addition to this wonderful human relations interaction, the meat was fantastic, the flank, sirloin, steak, picanha, sausage, and ribs were stellar. The buffet sides were fresh and adequately seasoned. And to top it all off, the chef took the time to answer my query in reference to the delicious quinoa, feta, cranberry, and scallion salad which wasn’t in the buffet due to the fact that the sides are rotated. He lovingly suggested that the next time I visit, I could call in advance and request the quinoa salad. AMAZING. The restaurant has a warm atmosphere and equally embracing service. The pricing is as fair as they come $29/person. Viva Brazil is definitely worth making a go to spot for repeat...

Beautiful restaurant! However, the language barrier could cost you some dollars. The workers only speak Portuguese. It seems that it works for them since they're now charging $39 all you can eat, no drinks included, or at least I wasn't explained or offered a drink since the waitress couldn't communicate in English or Spanish or/and answered my questions because of my lack of Portuguese. Anyway... the sides were good, the chef didn't know the name of the meat cuts in English, so I guess they only had picanha cause that's what he offered and while I waited for the meat to be ready, cause the buffet didn't have the meats ready to serve, I ended up eating the sides, by the time the picanha was done and the chef called me, I was already full, so I could eat a lot of protein. Unfortunately, the picanha was not too juicy, I would say dry.... the chorizo was not cooked through, so I didn't eat it either. I paid $110 in total for the 2 of us, and they assumed I was happy with my experience and added/charged a 20% gratuity without acknowledgment... I remember I was begging my family to come with me to this restaurant that I visited 6 years ago, and it was $20 all you can eat like most buffets that offer more than Viva Brazil. Thank...