Rocked with hip-shaking samba music and bass-heavy drum beats, Latin Grillhouse is known for meat, hospitable service and rambunctious performers who regularly incorporate diners into their musical numbers. The restaurant recently added one more authentic element to its establishment. Starting in March, Brazilian native Antonio Helton Tavares De Lima has taken over the grill in order to bring an extra touch of true Brazilian taste to the menu. De Lima, who has worked a number of years in Brazilian grillhouses in Shanghai, is confident that his authentic meats cannot be found anywhere else in the capital.

“You can taste a difference between authentic Brazilian barbecue and Chinese-style Brazilian barbecue right away,” says manager Yang Xuehong. “Chinese-style barbecue tastes a little sweeter, but true Brazilian barbecue has a heavier taste.” Sure enough, the smoky aroma of the meat and the thicker texture of the sauce on the beef tenderloin is immediately discernible on the palate. The meat is grilled to a tender finish, and although the sauce adds a pronounced salty quality, the overall effect is rich and savory.

Beef ribs and lamb legs are the house specialties, but we especially recommend the black pepper chicken. From the perfectly crisped skin to the juicy white meat, this delectable chicken is grilled as close to perfection as possible. We liked it so much that we had three servings before calling it a day. Besides the grill, the restaurant also offers a well-stocked buffet full of traditional Chinese cold dishes, hearty Brazilian sides and a chocolate fondue to satisfy those with a sweet tooth. Lunch is ¥68 on weekdays, ¥78 on weekends. Dinner is ¥98 every day.

DETAILS:

Where: Latin Grillhouse, C1-11 building 1, Solana, No 6. Chaoyang Park Road, 朝阳公园西路六号蓝色港湾商业区1号楼C1-11

Price: RMB100-199

Contact: 5905-6126, 5905-6128, www.gzlatin.com