Churrascaria Plataforma

My husband printed out the from your website no mention of cost ($49.95 a person) nor did they inform us of price. I ordered ice tea and asked if I can get can get more; they bought another glass but did not inform us that they don't do refills on ice tea nor was desserts not included either. My husband notice as we got the bill that the number on the table had in small red letters, drinks and desserts were not included. Most restaurant we go to asked have you been here before if not this is how it works here, etc. etc. Unfortuanately for us we treated the other couple and boy did it blow our budget!

Otherwise it was a great meal -- buffet is one of the nices selection, the meats were teriffic, turning over the disc was interesting just more communication to the new patrons.

Pros: Buffet, Meats, Serve large crowds

Cons: No refills on ice tea, desserts, are not included

Posted 07/09/05

I don't know where in the city can you find such an amazing deal for pitchers of caipirinhas and such amazing prices for huge slabs of perfectly executed cooked beef! A total bargain!

Pros: Caipirinhas Pitchers!, Beef!, More Beef!

Cons: 1 Caipirinha glass, Crowded

Posted 06/08/05

If you don't know what a rodizio style churrascaria is, I'm not going to ruin the surprise (read the other reviews). If you do, then Plataforma will make you incredbily happy. The food, service, and atmosphere hold their own with any churrascaria I've been to in Sao Paulo or Rio. Authentic food and presentation, delicious picanha, and a very generous (and unneeded) buffet make Plataforma a sure bet for the churrascaria enthusiast.

Pros: Amazing Food, Authentic

Cons: Spendy

Posted 04/24/05

This place is great. My friend & I loved the salad bar. We would've been content w/ just the salad bar. The meats were excellent. Seasoned just right. The side dishes (rice, beans, polenta) were good too. The atmosphere and service were wonderful.
Since, it's just across work, I'll definitely be back. It is pricey, but worth it.

Pros: salad bar, service, decor

Posted 03/31/05

Everytime I come here I am never disappointed. This place is great for groups and those with healthy appetites. I absolutely love the food here--the salad bar has a wonderful variety, the meat always tastes fresh, and the side dishes are delicious. The service here is also very good. The waitstaff is always friendly and accomodating. Worth every penny!

Pros: Great for groups, Delicious food, Good atmosphere

Cons: Crowded

Posted 03/02/05

Although I'm a meat lover I quickly realized there was no way I could possibly eat $46.95 worth of beef, chicken and fish. The salad bar is is huge as is the line waiting to get at it (expect to spend at least 15 minutes waiting in line on a busy night), the place is beyond noisy and was so crowded that it took me nearly ten minutes to work my way through the mob to get to the mens room downstairs. WHAT A ZOO! The meats were unspectacular, all pretty much tasting the same and ran the gamut from fatty and chewy to just O.K. There were no stand outs. The salad bar was impressive but again, all things considered, hardly worth the money. All in all, for the price I was very much dissapointed and will not go back.

Pros: impressive salad bar

Cons: overpriced, mob scene

Posted 01/30/05

I've been to both locations a couple of times and the food is amazing. That said, this place will cost you 50 per person to sit down, not including drinks--and a refill of your diet coke is going to be another 4.00. So, unless you have real money to burn on dinner, I would not suggest this.

It's not romantic. It's a place where finance men and lawyers take their brothers, fathers, mothers from the south and bachelor parties.

Pros: Food is good

Posted 12/03/04

If you like meat and have a big appetite, then this is definitely the place for you. They have a really good salad/appetizer bar with everything from salads, to pastas, to sushi, to paella. EVERYTHING!! Then with your meal, you get all these sides, like steamed veggies, rice, mashed potatoes, and these really good fried bananas. Then the meat just keeps coming and coming. Its very pricey so go HUNGRY and get your moneys worth!! I say splurge on the dessert, they have a cart with an excellent selection. I recommend the Coconut cake. GO HUNGRY!! BRING MAJOR CREDIT CARD!!

Pros: large selection, beautiful dining room

Cons: , pricey, loud

Posted 11/16/04

My fiance and I don't agree on much - especially when it comes to food, but we both LOVE this restaurant. Twice a year we drive into Manhattan (once for his birthday and once for mine) and treat ourselves to a truly wonderful meal. The garage across the street gives discounts to Plataforma patrons.

We've always made a reservation, and have never had a problem being seated almost immediately.

Waiters circle the room with HUGE hunks of meat and you can eat AS MUCH AS YOU WANT ... well, as much as you can that is. You change your coaster from red to green (green meaning - BRING ON THE MEAT!!) (I'm such a carnivore)

The sides are pretty great too - I love the bananas and mashed potatoes.

My only regret is that our time there seems to go so fast!! I wish I could stay "green" for longer.

Pros: EXCELLENT MEAT, Parking Discounts, Great desserts

Posted 08/10/04

Churrascaria Platforma is the ideal place for celebrations. The savvy diner should just know the come hungry and not fill up on the salad bar. It will be there during and after you try the meats so no need to hit it up immediately. Keep in mind drinks and dessert are not included in the basic price as it says on the table!

I came on a Saturday night with a reservation and 6 people...Unfortunately, it took over an hour to be seated. However the manager came over and aplogized and all drinks were on him. It was really surprising as most restaurants in NY show no remorse for not honoring a reservation. Food was definitely above average. Band was a little loud, but not an ordeal.

Definitely recommended.

Pros: Nice Manager, Good Service, Great Sangria

Cons: , Crowded Bar, Overbooked

Posted 07/06/04

At $45 a person for dinner, CP is not worth the money unless you are a incredible glutton who hasn't eaten for a while. Priced at $27 a head in 2001, the price of admission has soared 60% in three years.

The meat is prepared very plainly and varies in quality. In other words, not every cut you have will be THE best you've ever tasted. The buffet is nice but not for $45.

Two cautionary notes: bad date spot! Large groups of gluttons come here to dine and watching the feeding frenzy is hardly romantic. Second caution: order nothing from the bar. Tiny Caipirinhas cost $8.50 a pop!!

All in all, if you want to spend this much money, you can get better ambience and more refined food elsewhere. CP should trim its prices.

Pros: Service, Variety, Quantity

Cons: , Price, Food is very plain

Posted 06/29/04

ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! I've been to numerous Brazilian restaurants and this by far the BEST I've ever been to. It's better than some Brazilian restaurants in Brazil!! It's just a great atmosphere, with great live music . The staff is very polite.This place has something for everyone. I'm a complete carnivore and my boyfriend is a vegetarian. We think it's fabulous how a steak how tries to accomodated different tates. OH try the Brazilian desserts.They are yummy!!

Posted 06/24/04

Don't overload at the salad bar because there is lots more to come! My Brazilian friends say this is pretty authentic. All the meats are wonderful, the salmon and turkey are great for the "no red meat" crowd. The sausage is terrific & I don't usually eat it. For a special treat ask for the garlic steak. Good for groups because there is something for everyone. The vegitarians can make a meal of the salad bar. Try the sides, they are interesting. This is one New York restaurant that won't disappoint.
Last word of advice go easy on the capharinas!!

Pros: Variety, Great Steak, Service

Posted 06/21/04

Recently back from Brazil my wife and I wanted to relive my dining experience of a Brazilian Steakhouse. With high hopes and low expectations we can to Churrasaria Platforma and were totally blown away!
This resturant has the best Beef, Pork and Lamb I have had in the city. "Salad Station" has fresh ingredients and beautiful presentation. Waiters with meat cooked on a swoard circle the dining room to keep patrons happy. coaster that is red and green identifies if you yant more or to pass you by. Try the Brazilian drink, Caiparinnia (Pitu, lime, sugar and ice) they won't dissappoint.

Pros: Staff, Service, Drinks

Posted 06/17/04

as we all know, brazillians make great meat, but churrascaria plataforma is the best steak in the city. if you want a steak with great flavor and original seasoning, go there. it is worth the trip.

Posted 06/14/04

If you never been in Brasil, this is your chance to see and fell like you are there!! Friendly people all over, health food, taste like no other. If you are hungry for meat, you will find all kinds. If you just want seafood is there also. Try the seafood salad - It's unbeliveble! And for desert you got have the ACAI.
Don't loose a chance to have a nice dinner - Plataforma is the best !!!

Posted 06/14/04

Went on a Saturday. Was able to call in and set a reservation and got seated immediately. I think everyone else had a problem because their reservations were during the dinner rush. My friend and I arrived around 630pm.

Food wise: Salad bar is excellent. Even had sushii to choose from

Meats: All types of meat to choose from. Favorite was the lamb and sterlion steak

Dessert was extra which was disappointing.
Wasnt really rush, but I can see how a lot of people are saying they were.

Was it worth the $65.00 I spent? Yes.
Would I do it again? Probably

Seating: I can see how some readers said it was tight. My friend and I got a table that could seat 4.

Overall: i give it and 8.5.

Pros: Meat, Salad bar, Seated immediately

Cons: , dessert was not free, drinks are expensive

Posted 04/09/04

Everything's impressive about this place. The sheer quantity of food, the size of the space, the attentive service...I could go on and on. You've got to love meat and you've got to go with a group large enough to order capirinhas by the pitcher. If you're careful with your drinking/desserts, you can even manage to spend around $60 a head all told (It's $38 for the buffet/meat). If you're into wine and after-dinner drinks you'll end up with a tab closer to $110.

Pros: meat, meat, meat

Posted 11/24/03

I have my b-day party here every year. Great place to indulge and have a fantastic, unintimate (don't go on a date here) time.

Pros: Great wine list

Posted 07/04/03

I've been here 2-3 times and everytime I come out, I swear off meat for six months. You definitely get your money's worth. It's true that it's noisy and crowded, but what do you expect when the food is THAT good at THAT price in the middle of NYC? Come on an empty stomach, wear your stretchy pants and don't forget the Febreze.

Posted 05/10/03

I like this place, I really do, but check this out....

I have been to most of the top rated restaurants in the city (Daniel, Alain Duccasse, Nobu, etc). These restaurants cost about $150-200/person. This is a steakhouse that costs $50, and get this, they ask for a credit card to make a reservation. I don't really have a problem with that, but the finale is that they don't guarantee a reservation! I'm calling to tell you I want to reserve a table, and you can't guarantee it? Why are you taking my CC number then?

One last thing, the two times I have been there with a reservation, I have had to wait from 45 minutes to an hour. The food is good, but what is going on with this place?

Pros: All you can eat +, great salted steaks

Cons: fake reservations, had to wait an hour, rude hosts

Posted 04/17/03

Here's the skinny: Don't get the 'yucca flour' side dish. It's like sand. The fried bananas were great. The bar was understaffed - three deep with two bartenders. Had to repeat "Two Heinekens, a glass of white and a Jack and Coke" five times. FIVE TIMES. The salad bar was bedlam. There was food flying everywhere. I was afraid to go up a second time. The prime rib, flank steak and ham were phenomenal. The sausage and the gyro-type lamb were nasty. The coconut flan and caramel flan were delicious. Overall, I think $39.95 per person is overpriced. The ham guy only came around once, I practically had to tackle him for a second serving. But the sausage guy was everywhere! Do they intentionally pace the pricier meat...? Too noisy, tables are too close together. Mediocre rodizio.

Posted 04/05/03

Having been to churrascaria's in many cities including in S.A. I was sorrily dissappointed with the noise level and VERY tight seating in this restaurant. Great food, super sushi (interesting surprise) but I would not go back just becase of the seating.

Pros: Food Preparation, Wine Selection

Cons: Too tightly seated, VERY Noisy

Posted 03/30/03

I GO TO RIO ABOUT 5 TIMES PER YEAR, YOU CAN CALL ME A "BRAZILIAN NUTS".AND LET ME TELL YOU THIS PLACE IS BETTER THEN ALL THE CHURRASCARIAS THAT I HAVE BEEN TO IN RIO. IT'S SIMPLE THE BEST.

Pros: LOTS OF FUN, LARGE PARTY, VERY GOOD QUALITY

Posted 03/11/03

I LOVE STEAK. I EAT STEAK ALL THE TIME. I HAVE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER THAN HERE. I HAVE BEEN TO ALL THE STEAK HOUSES...Morton's, Ruth Chris, Palm, Frankie & Johnnies, Dylan's, Peter Luger... THIS PLACE... IT IS SPECIAL... IT IS A PLACE THAT ANY TRUE STEAK CONNOISSEUR WILL KEEP COMING BACK FOR MORE. YOU NOT ONLY GET ONE STEAK.. BUT YOU GET TO TRY EVERY TYPE IN ONE SITTING... PURE GENIUS! I APPLAUD THE OWNER! I APPLAUD THE STAFF! I APPLAUD THE WINE LIST

Pros: Wine List, Staff, Variety

Posted 03/09/03

The atmosphere is amazing, the food is delicious, the best salad bar with the best sushi rolls?!!!(Japanese places better start worrying) I really liked the dress code too - enough already with jeans-sneaker-baseball-look all around! And live music really adds to the whole experience. Two thumbs up!!!

Posted 02/27/03

Don't believe the hype, it is nothing out of the ordinary or extremely unique. the interior is very well done, however, the meat is not all it claims to be and there are so many more restaurants that are much better. Be prepared to eat sirloin steaks that look like slices of roast beef.

Pros: Service, Bar

Cons: Meat, Interruptions

Posted 02/25/03

Nice variety of meat, very crowded and noisy, huge place, our waiter was very nice, parking was horrible..had to park in a lot and that sucked too!

Pros: food, service

Cons: parking

Posted 02/21/03

I first went here about 3 years ago and thought it was the best Churrasceria around. Maybe my expectations were too high, but this time the meat seemed rather bland, there was not the variety I remember (only about 10 types of meat came by) and there were long periods where the waiters seemed to disappear. If you want a better meal, just go to a good steakhouse like F&J's.

Pros: Good Atmosphere, Drinks

Cons: Service, Flavor

Posted 02/18/03

My wife and I traveled from Long Island by the LIRR to see Les Miserables for the last time and we were delighted! We were even more delighted by Churrascaria Plataforma. A perfect ending to a perfect day! This was our first time and it won't be our last!

Pros: Great food, Good service, Greater suprise

Posted 02/13/03

I love this place for it's fun atmosphere-but not so much for the quality of meat. I go here a lot to entertain my guests though, and they love it . It's fun!! If the meat quality was better, I would commute to this place!! They could also work a little harder on their desserts too though.

Pros: fun, good for large group

Cons: not for meat lovers, not for desserts

Posted 02/11/03

This is the best restaurant I have ever been...from the minute we checked in to the time we paid the check everything was fantastic. The food is phenomenal, the atmosphere extiguiside and the service impecable. My party had a blast.

Posted 02/07/03

Thi swas my second time at Currascaria. Happy I made reservations, as the play fille dupi quickly. Food was excellent. Meat was always very hot, very flavorful and abundant. Caiparinhas were excellent. I love that they make them fresh tableside. Service was good, however we definitely felt rushed as we were finishing up. The waiter came over and asked us 3 times if we needed anything else. We took the hint. Great food, good service good times! Expensive, but you get so much food!

Pros: Food, Cocktails

Cons: Felt Rushed, Loud, Expensive

Posted 01/23/03

The food is fantastic -- both the meats and the ridiculously large salad bar (all sorts of salads, soups as well as shrimp and maki and a few hot dishes). The ambience is fun -- loud and relaxed -- better to go with a group. BUT, the service is not so good. And we were seated almost an hour after our reservation time even though we arrived a few minutes early. So plan on waiting but enjoy.

Posted 01/18/03

Excellent food and enough choices to please everyone in a large group......It's a Churrascaria, which means it will be busy and very active and pretty noisy, not a romantic place, but a excellent place to eat great meat and go with large group.....you will spend about $65 at the end of night per person if you choose the "Rodizio" (All You can eat Churrasco!) and don't go crazy on the drinks....Diff. worth going at least once.

Pros: Meat Lovers' Feast, Excellent Salad Bar, Unique

Cons: Always busy

Posted 01/14/03

The food is excellent, but the service is awful. They actually forgot to bring the birthday cake we ordered. They also do not honor reservations, so be prepared to wait, even if you have a reservation.

I don't think it's pricey for the amount of food you get. And the salad bar is fantastic.

If you can tolerate the service, the food is great - and a lot of it.....

Pros: great food

Cons: not honor reservation, service terrible

Posted 01/12/03

I went to this restaurant on 1/4/03 for lunch.
Luckily, it was not crowded. Great food, salad
bar and lots of grilled meats. It's a good place
to go if your really hungry. There is no menu
and the waiter never told us how much lunch was,
I thought it couldn't be more than $35. Later I
found out lunch is around $26 and dinner is $39.
This does not include drinks, desserts, etc..

Try the Ciapirina (sp?) a great Brazillian drink.

Pros: immaculate, great food

Cons: lack of menu

Posted 01/06/03

I wasn't ready for what Churrascaria Plataforma had in store for me. After I was able to pronounce the name without looking at a matchbook, I raved to all. Meat Lovers Heaven! My husband and I went for our anniversary and regretfully it isn't the most romantic spot. However, New Year's Eve with a group of friends would have been perfect! Try all the meats. But words of caution...stay away from the desserts b/c they are ala carte as opposed to all other items which are included in the $40 set meal price. We got greedy (caught up) and spent $17 on desserts.

Pros: Groups

Cons: Not Romantic

Posted 01/02/03

Wonderful classy upsacle restaurant. I have been there numerous times to satisfy my carniverous appetite. The people are courteous and nice. The bar is beautiful. Classicly Manhattan!!

Posted 12/18/02

IF YOU LOVE MEAT (FROM STEAK TO CHICKEN AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN), THIS
IS THE PLACE FOR YOU. BRING, YOUR APPETITE AND ELASTIC PANTS. AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE KILLER SALAD BAR, WHICH IS A MEAL IN ITSELF.. AND THOSE DESSERTS!!! YOU WILL BE PAMPERED AND WAITED ON AS YOU DESERVE TO BE.

Posted 12/18/02

Excellent meal. Top quality meats. But we were starving by time we were seated! Arriving at 7:45 for 8 P.M. 'credit card insured' reservation and not being seated till 8:45 is unacceptable....especially considering they made little appology for the delay...just kept telling us "any minute!". Even manager made no sincere appology, instead blaming other customers for taking too long to eat! He did buy first round of drinks....but missed the point that they had managed the reservations so poorly.

Pros: Great meats, Excellent table servi, fun experience

Cons: timeliness of seating, discourteous hostess, very noisy

Posted 12/12/02

Loud is an understatement at this massive meat palace. The food is okay, the salad bar immense, but it is a fun place to "feed" once a year with friends or family.

Pros: A feast for the eyes., Feels like a party.

Cons: Loud, Loud

Posted 12/09/02

Visit this place everytime we come to NYC....and we never get tired of it!!

Posted 11/26/02

I went to this restaurant with my department and found everything to be charming and exquisite. The idea of flipping a "coaster" of some sort when you were ready to "chow down" was cute. The waiters and servers were at your reach and the food was delicious. I would recommend making reservations and prepare to be stuffed.

Posted 11/20/02

I don't know about those who said this place is expensive. Think about how much GOOD food you get for $40!!!!
It doesn't look like that anyone leaves this restaurant hungry. The meat cuts were great and I liked how they carve up the pieces for you based on how your rare or well you want the meat.
The lamb was very well-seasoned. I know the salad bar is very tempting, but if you're a meat-lover like me, save your appetite for the succulent meats.

Pros: Variety, Value, decent wines

Cons: Encourages my, meat-eating behavior

Posted 11/17/02

The steak at La Plataforma is excellent... especially the picanha. The salad bar and meat served by gauchos is truly Brazilian, but the authenticity stops there. There was a loud jazz band playing the night we were there! Forget about nice South American music. Also, the waitstaff was trying to push off a trendy drink that they said was the "national drink of Brazil." The times I have been to Brazil, I have not even heard of it. Finally, the restaurant is incredbily packed, even by NYC standards.

Pros: Excellent food, Good variety, Fair Price

Cons: Jazz Music?, Too crowded, Trendy drinks

Posted 11/07/02

This is the only place in NYC whose cuts match what you'd find in Brazil in taste, variety, and quality. (I"ve visited Brazil).

I recommend you fast all day, have a few bits of hearts of palm and eat meat till you drop. THe live music is a plus and so are the desserts, many typically from Brazil (milk pudding, coconut pudding, mango pudding). Try caipirinha and guarana, too! ONly drawback: a bit expensive...

Pros: excellent food, great atmosphere

Cons: a bit too expensive

Posted 11/03/02

The food is great - particularly the meat. But the salad bar was ridiculously crowded and disorganized.

Worst, however, is the rushed atmosphere. It's almost as if the waiters are incentivized to push you on to the next course. Within milliseconds of clearing our meat plates, the desert lady was at our table. Twice an unfinished drink was whisked away in a haste to clear things off.

And that's why I wouldn't recommend this place.

Pros: Meat, Variety at salad bar

Cons: Rushed, Salad bar too crowded

Posted 10/25/02

This is a meat-lovers Must! This place is great however you walk out feeling like you should be on a skewer if you fill up on the salad bar and keep the coin they give you on green! The salad bar is really good, so thats the problem too. The meats the waiters serve are tasty and fresh. There is a great variety of meats too! We were too full for desserts. The bar is fun with great live music on the weekends. Plan a long nights stay here for dinner. $50 all you can eat!

Posted 10/13/02

What a great experience. The beef and pork were the best I ever tasted,and an excellent food value. The staff was courteous and very helpful. Diners of all ages will enjoy it here. And if that's not enough, they have both a hot and cold salad bar that truly has to be seen to be believed. Don't miss this!!

Pros: prompt seating, great food, a great value

Cons: crowded, can be noisy

Posted 10/07/02