Last week D and I stopped by the bar at Grimpa Steakhouse in Mary Brickell Village. I work two blocks away, but that was my first time at the restaurant since it opened last year. Too expensive for lunchtime ($29.50 for the rodizio). The restaurant is big but it has a welcoming atmosphere and a nice patio outside the bar perfect for sipping some after-work cocktails.
We were there for caipirinhas ($12), but as the hostess walked us to the bar she gave us what looked like a menu. It really was a guide to the meat cuts they serve and an introduction to the concept of Brazilian rodizio. Smart move on their part. What started off as a visit for a drink turned into a debate about whether we should eat there as we drooled over photos of steak. But we weren’t up for that much food (if you’ve never been to a rodizio-style restaurant, the meat just keeps coming and coming and coming until you call a halt) or for spending too much that night. Seeing that we couldn’t make up our minds, our friendly bartender suggested we try an appetizer at the bar. Luckily for us, they served a plate of linguica and picanha. Perfect for our caipirinhas! The meat was tender and juicy. And at $15 it was a good option for two not-so-hungry-to-eat-endless-amounts-of-meat diners.
Our bartender let us in on other tidbits. From 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, the bar serves free, yes free, caipirinhas. Between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., they’re half off. He also offered some rodizio tips. Don’t waste your money on the salad bar, he said. For those not up for the rodizio, the restaurant offers a salad bar that includes cold cuts, cheeses and some warm foods but it’s apparently not a good investment. Basically if you go, go for the rodizio. And when you do, go easy on the first cuts of meat, he said, which will likely be chicken and liguica so you have room when the better steak cuts arrive at your table.
I might go back to try the rodizio on a day when I’m mentally prepared for all that food. For now, I was glad to find out about the bar appetizer as an alternative.
Grimpa Steakhouse
901 Brickell Plaza
305.455.4757
I live a couple blocks from there and have been a couple of times. My girlfriend and I call it “Skimpa”, because they skimp on the choice cuts. Alex from SotP had a better experience. He said you have to request the good stuff.
I guess that’s why the bartender told us to say no to the first rounds of cuts. That’s too bad. I guess the appetizer might be a better option after all if you want steak. How does it compare to Porcao?
I miss meat…rare bloody meat…
I personally prefer Porcao, but I’m going to give Grimpa another shot. Maybe this weekend. I will report back!
Please do! I haven’t been to Porcao in over a year.