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| Open Range & Fogo de Chao review by Melissa Libby & Associates The lives of cowboys and the adventures of the Wild West are displayed on the big screen in Open Range. This cowboy tale has all the classic elements of a Hollywood Western, complete with gunfights, horse tricks, romance and big-name stars. Kevin Costner and Robert Duvall are perfectly suited for their roles as fearless and free- spirited ranchers out to conquer the Wild West. The film begins as cattle herders Boss Spearman (Duvall) and Charley Waite (Costner), along with sidekicks Buttons and Mose (Diego Luna and Abraham Benrubi), are caught in a treacherous storm. Unfortunately, the storm is only the beginning. The real trouble begins when the herders stop in a small town to re-stock supplies and discover that the town marshal and his men resent the free-grazing ranchers living off their land. When Boss and Charley butt heads with the marshal, the movie climaxes in a Hollywood-style shootout. Of course, all Wild West gunfights have their share of injuries, thus providing the perfect segue for romance in Open Range. Dr. Barlow, the town’s only doctor, just so happens to have a pretty assistant, Sue Barlow (Annette Bening). Charley is particularly fond of her, and the two exchange long, flirty glances throughout the film. Going into the big showdown, the question remains: will Charley survive to express his true feelings to Sue? All of this excitement left me wondering if there were still any real cowboys around. I set out to find one of my own in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood. Although I didn’t find the typical cowboy in tight jeans, boots and a hat, I found something even better at Fogo de Chao: Brazilian cowboys called “Gauchos.” A genuine steakhouse from Rio Grande de Sul in Southern Brazil, Fogo de Chao awes Atlanta with the history and tradition of a bona fide “churrascaria,” known in Brazil as a restaurant where meat is the specialty. Using a green (go) and red (stop) card system, I signaled to my new Gaucho friends when ready to eat. They offer the finest selections of meat slow roasted over open-flamed pits and carved at the dining table. This unique culinary concept comes from a Brazilian tradition - Gauchos began this cooking technique centuries ago while relaying their adventures on the plain. While I was happy to have found some cowboys of my own, I was even more excited by the great meal, which was certainly unlike any of the cold mush I’d seen on the big screen earlier in the evening. Even better, while Boss and Charley Waite were limited to small rations of food, I was enjoying Fogo de Chao’s “espeto corrido” concept, which translates into continuous service. The restaurant offers unlimited portions at a fixed price ($24.50 for lunch, $41.50 for dinner). I also indulged in the restaurant’s extensive salad bar ($19.50 for a salad bar-only meal) with over 30 items including fresh mozzarella, hearts of palm and prosciutto di Parma. There are tasty Brazilian side dishes including fried yucca, garlic mashed potatoes, fried bananas and cheese bread. I left Fogo de Chao feeling satisfied that my cowboy experience would hold up to Boss Spearman’s any day. Fogo de Chao is open for lunch weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner is served Sunday- Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fogo de Chao is located at 3101 Piedmont Road. Complimentary valet parking is available, and reservations are recommended. For dining information, call (404) 266-9988 or visit www.fogodechao.com. |
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| A Gaucho from Fogo de Chao. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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