BRASA Manchester offers a taste of Brazilian BBQ - but not as you’ve ever experienced it before. This exclusive chef's counter offers a handful of seats per night, and one of the most unique experiences in the city.
This restaurant comes from Caroline Martins and the team behind SAMPA - a ultra-popular Brazilian chef's table in the Northern Quarter - and places as much emphasis on the style, atmosphere and design as the menu. BRASA follows a similar pattern with an L-shaped chef’s counter that only allows a small number of guest to dine at one time and puts you right next to the action, watching the chefs work their magic in real time.
Dishes offer a contemporary, elevated version of Brazilian churrasco - a historic cooking technique that sees skewers of meat slow-roasted over an open flame. While the menu is constantly changing and there isn’t a set list of dishes to check out online beforehand, counter dining generally revolves around larger cuts of meat such as 450g of dry-aged picanha, 950g of bone-in prime rib, all seasoned with smoked Maldon salt and smoked oil, and then barbecued in front of you. Sides might look like cheese bread with caramelised onion butter, croquettes, frites, charcuterie boards, and fresh salads with heart of palm and sweet cherry tomatoes.
Desserts have included bite-sized churros filled with dulce de leche in the past - which sounds delicious. One thing’s for sure, the drinks menu also knocks the concept out of the park with a curated selection of Brazilian wines and a signature cocktail: frozen caipirinhas which are Brazil’s national drink.
Something to note, though, is that because BRASA’s kitchen is so small, dietary requirements are not generally catered for as cross contamination control can’t be guaranteed. Be sure to get in touch with the team beforehand and double check any issues.