Where to go for Churrasco (Brazilian BBQ) in Hanoi?

Au Lac do Brazil (6A Cao Ba Quat, Ba Dinh), serves an authentic Brazilian churrasco (Brazilian BBQ) near the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) in the heart of Hanoi. For those who have never tried a churrasco, it is (and I quote from their web page), "a buffet of charcoal grilled meats [pork, beef, lamb, chicken] brought to you at your table on long skewers. Tender, hot slices are carved right in front of you by 'passadors,' waiters armed with meat, long knives and friendly smiles." In otherwords, it is a carnivore's dream come true.

Suggestions:

(1) go for the buffet and not the menu items as the buffet costs only alittle bit more;

(2) as you will fill up rapidly:

• skip lunch;
  
• go light on the salad starter and other pre-made vegetable dishes (that is not what diners come here for);
  
• go light on the bread, if at all;
  
• take bite sized portions of the skewered meat brought out early, otherwise you will be full in 15 minutes;
• go light on cheaper meats like the chicken and pork (with the exception of the grilled ham with pineapple, which is exceptional) even though they taste great ;
• don't bother with the bacon wrapped meats;
  
• go for the best cuts of beef (i.e., Picanha, which is shaped like the letter 'C');

(3) ask for the feijoada, a potpourri of black bean and pig parts served over rice, early as otherwise you will be too full to try this favorite Brazilian national dish;

(4) and, enjoy the whole meal with capirinha, a Brazilian cocktail made up of lime, sugar and cachasa, a strong liquor made from sugar cane.

Price: 380,000VND (USD24) for buffet and caipirinha cocktail. A bit pricey for the Hanoi market, but well worth it. Outstanding service and fancy decor. The meats are grilled just right - lightly browned at the edges, medium rare at the center - over an open pit of fire. Same diner would cost 80USD in New York City.

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