Mardi Gras At Fogo De Chao

Last night we celebrated my son’s 17th birthday with what has become an annual tradition: a family dinner at Fogo de Chao. It’s a teenage boy’s dream with waiters (“gaucho chefs”) slicing freshly roasted meat right onto your plate–top sirloin, bottom sirloin, filet mignon, pork ribs, sausage . . . the list goes on. They also have an awesome salad bar with green salad items, marinated vegetables, pasta salads, crisp-steamed broccoli, roasted beets, and more. It’s an all-you-can-eat place, but the food is very high quality.

They give everyone a card that cues the waiters:

Bring it on!

I’ve had enough (at least for now)!

I started at the salad bar, and didn’t stuff myself with too much sirloin and file mignon before I flipped my card to the red side, but my restraint was partially fueled by the dessert menu.

Sadly, when I perused the options, I saw that they no longer have the tres leches cake that I really like. I wasn’t in the mood for the other desserts (molten chocolate lava cake, cheesecake, flan, creme brulee), so I was going to skip dessert.

My mom had arranged for the waiter to serve my son a piece of their chocolate mousse cake with a birthday candle. After we duly embarrassed him with an out of tune and out of synch rendition of “Happy Birthday,” he told me that he really wanted a different dessert. He likes their mango and strawberry creams, which basically are vanilla ice cream with fresh fruit blended in.  So, I did what any good mom would do and told him that I would have his cake so he could order what he wanted.  The cake had layers of white chocolate mousse and chocolate mousse between the cake layers, and a thick coating of chocolate ganache. Somehow the mousse made the cake seem really “light” and so easy to eat one forkful after another.  Where was that red card when I needed it?  I finally came to my senses and gave the few remaining bites to my mom.

Amazingly, I woke up slightly hungry this morning–hungry enough to want my chocolate protein shake before my workout. Still, I will not be celebrating Mardis Gras with another big meal tonight!

(paper hand towel from ladies’ room)

Do you find that blogging has you looking for cute “souvenirs” that you can take pictures of for your blog? 🙂

Are you celebrating Mardi Gras today?

Are you having pancakes for dinner tonight?