Standing loud and proud among the iconic skyscrapers of Bishopsgate in East London, Fazenda describes itself as a Rodizio bar and grill – but this is no ordinary all-you-can-eat. Walking into Fazenda’s upstairs den, you’d be forgiven for thinking you had entered the luxurious halls of a manor house library. Diners are invited into dark wood finishes, red leather and warm, moody lighting, where soft house-esque music is a welcome and non-invasive addition.
Fazenda - meaning ‘farm’ in Portuguese - is a Brazilian steakhouse serving Churrasco to meat-loving Londoners. Cuts of meat are skewered and cooked on an open flame, then carved and served directly at the table, often with a chimichurri (which you shouldn’t miss!).
Our meal began with the Spicy Affair cocktail, a Padrón-infused reposado with ancho reyes chilli, pear liqueur and ginger. Warming, smooth, and very strong, it was the ideal entryway into the evening of feasting that stretched out before us. If you’re looking for a quick dinner, don’t expect to find it here. The name of the game is to sit back and savour the delights, with no place to rush to.
Sirloin
Our meal came with the option of one of their house wines, and opted for the Paraje Altamira, a Malbec from Argentina described by our server as having notes of mocha and blueberry. It was delicious, and the perfect accompaniment to a meat-heavy meal.
On arrival we were given a coaster, red on one side, green on the other, and advised that when flipped to green, the meats would come – and oh, they came. The Indulgent Churrasco lived up to its name, as we were presented skewer after perfectly grilled skewer – sirloin to chicken thigh, honey pork to ribeye and back again.
With this, a choice from a selection of opulent sides - we opted for the butter-bathed lobster and the roasted bone marrow. The lobster was perfectly cooked, tender and rich, while the bone marrow was savoury, umami and buttery. The highlights? A perfectly cooked rump, succulent honey pork, and surprisingly - a grilled pineapple palette cleanser which accented the meal beautifully.
Lobster
Alongside this, Fazenda offers a buffet-style sides bar, but if you’re picturing a half-hearted afterthought of vegetables and salads, think again - the attention to detail was truly striking. The bar boasted an array of salts, infused with truffle, herbs, spices, an assortment of cured meats, a decadent cheese selection, the biggest olives I’ve ever seen and unexpectedly delicious balsamic-marinated baby onions. It’s almost easy to forget the smorgasbord of meats waiting at your table!
It would be remiss to leave out that the service at Fazenda was exceptional. Where it would be easy for a restaurant with a staff this large to feel chaotic - particularly one with an ever-present rotation of grilled food flying around it - it was clear an extremely tight ship is being run here.
Picanha
Every server we encountered hit that oh-so-hard to achieve balance of professional yet personable, attentive yet not overbearing: a testament to fantastic training.
Whatever you do, don’t miss the dessert. We tried their signature chocolate marquise, a deeply rich affair cut by a creamy doce de leite. However, the highlight for me was the tres leches cake, a new (and extremely welcome) addition to the menu. A tender sponge soaked in a cream and condensed milk, it was a velvety, cinnamon-spiced finishing touch to a beautiful meal.
Suffice to say, we rolled out of Fazenda’s big glass doors and all the way home. It was, perhaps, the closest I’ve ever felt to being a Roman emperor.
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100 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 1GT; Fazenda
