The concept of a Brazilian steakhouse was unknown to me until not too long ago when a friend of mine mentioned the restaurant, Fogo de Chao. While Brazilian steakhouses are not actually ‘new,’ the idea of an all you can eat meat buffet seemed like something I definitely should have been notified about years ago. Chicago is home to three such Brazilian steakhouses: Brazzaz, Texas de Brazil, and Fogo de Chao.
On a recent Friday evening, I was invited to Fogo de Chao for a late-night meal, compliments of a good friend’s dad visiting from out of town. I mention this only because Fogo de Chao, and the two similar Brazilian establishments in this city, is far too expensive for my own casual dining experience. This restaurant is oriented towards special occasions or big parties given buffet plates cost nearly $50 a person. The one upside is the lunch buffet served daily for around $35 a plate.
Upon entering Fogo de Chao, one immediately notices the high ceilings, accommodating and friendly wait-staff, and comfortable atmosphere. I sat down and ordered a Tanqueray and Tonic, which was delivered promptly, and with the first sip I breathed a sigh of relief. Now THAT’S how a T&T is supposed to taste. The waiter returned to clear up any questions our table had regarding rules to this South American smorgasbord.
The first course consisted of an elegant salad bar filled to the brim with spreads, pastas, cheeses, and a variety of cured meats. Since I had heard about this place before, I was warned to go lightly on the salad bar because the real treat was still yet to come. I walked around the salad bar admiring the bright colors and exotic dishes. I decided on some butter lettuce topped with carrots, cucumbers and Italian dressing. I was determined to save as much room as I could for beef induced coma that was soon to follow.
I was not disappointed. We had our fill of the salad bar so it was on to the main course. Each person at the table is given a poker chip of sorts with red on one side, and green on the other. It’s pretty simple at this point. Flip the chip from red to green when you want to sample the various meats offered at Fogo de Chao. After you’ve acquired an adequate assortment of meats just flip the card back to red and you can enjoy your spoils in peace. This back and forth mentality reminded me of a game of ‘red-light, green-light,’ as I kept trying to see how fast the server would arrive once I flipped the chip to green.
The selection of meats is extensive, but most center on one of Brazil’s biggest exports, beef. Picanna, or what the servers called, ‘Brazilian Beef’ was the first cut I sampled. It was exceptional. Medium-rare with a marinade of just sea salt and garlic. No sooner had I finished my piece of steak than I was bombarded on all sides with skewers of meat. At first I was fairly intimidated by the huge swords of Alcatra, (top sirloin) Beef Ancho, (Prime Rib-Eye) and Filet Mingon, but I quickly said yes to each. So began my nearly hour-long battle with some of the most succulent red meat I had ever eaten.
As you may have gathered already, vegetarians will find little to appreciate when surrounded by smoldering carcasses as the aroma of bar-b-que permeates the air. Thankfully there was some diversity in types of meat as the night went on though. I was particularly fond of the chicken thighs, which fell off the bone, but was left fairly dissatisfied after trying the lamb chops. They were overcooked and tasted as if they had been dipped into salt brine prior to being served.
I continued to flip from red to green, anxious to try as many different kinds of meat as possible. Towards the middle of the meal, my eyes wandered towards the mashed potatoes waiting on the table, untouched. They were garnished with a paprika, cheese, chive topping. I took one bite and immediately found myself reaching for another. The creaminess and bite of these potatoes was so potent I found myself coming back to them throughout the meal, even after I convinced myself I was full. Equally pleasing were the deep-fried polenta and pan-seared bananas oozing with sugary syrup.
The evening began to wind down and everyone at the table looked ready to pass out. Desert was skipped because no one knew how to fit anymore sustenance down our gullets, but a strong Bailey’s and coffee still managed to make an appearances. I was left impressed by the wait-staff, swift with the drink orders and ready to supply a new plate if the remains of the fallen meat piled too high. There are no doggie bags supplied at Fogo de Chao, so make sure to get your fill. Don’t rush though, remember it is a buffet so you can stay until they kick you out, or die of a heart attack. Whichever comes first.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Block Party
Dave Chappelle’s Block Party is an intimate look into the musical influences that have shaped who this comedian is today. Filmed over the summer of 2008, Block Party follows Dave from his roots in a rural Ohio town to the streets of Brooklyn, New York for the September 18, 2004 block party event. The film is directed by French director Michel Gondry, known for artistic movies including 2004’s Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Science of Sleep (2006).
Block Party, released in March of 2006, is not merely a documentary of this concert event though; it is a reflection of the pressure placed on Chappelle following the success of his short-lived Comedy Central television program, Chappelle’s Show. Between the time this movie was filmed, and finally released, Dave Chappelle refused a $50 million contract extension to continue his popular show and disappeared to South Africa. Similarly, at this time in the United States several events took place that altered the way many Americans thought about race and politics. First, George Bush was elected president of the United States of his second term in late 2004 sparking uproars around the country of a continuation of the status quo. Second, Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, Louisiana in August 2005, leading to serious questions about the U.S. government’s reaction to this devastating natural disaster.
On the surface, Block Party is a documentary of a once in a lifetime concert organized by Dave Chappelle, featuring his favorite musical acts. Performers include; Dead Prez, The Roots, Kanye West, Common, Talib Kweli, Jill Scott, Mos Def, Erykah Badu, and The Fugees. Filmed at the corner of Quincy Street and Downing Street in Brooklyn, New York, Chappelle tried to keep the location of this performance a secret as long as possible. You find out later in the documentary that the site of the block party was leaked through the Internet prior to the actual filming and in turn the news spread like wildfire through the masses. My favorite performances were the Dead Prez anthem ‘Hip-Hop,’ and Kanye West’s ‘Jesus Walks,’ accompanied by the full Central State University marching band. Wyclef John’s short backstage performance of ‘If I were President,’ was another powerful piece of music featured in this documentary.
Block Party was filmed behind the backdrop of the ‘Broken Angel House,’ in Brooklyn. This is an extremely unique experience because prior to the actual performances, Chappelle introduces the audience to the owners of this modern day M. C. Escher house. This unfinished mass of architecture provides a haunting backdrop to the concert. The owners are eccentric, claiming to have magical powers, yet are both honored to have their home be the site of this documentary even if they are not fans of hip-hop music. Nearby the site of the block party is the day care center where the Notorious B.I.G. attended. This additional scene shows that the heart of the hip-hop movement occurred nearby and displays the pride of so many African Americans who are aware that the roots of this musical styling all happened in their back yards.
Dave Chappelle is known for his racially charged comedy routines, which often point out stereotype of all creeds in the hope to make light of how ridiculous racism is not only in the United States, but around the world as well. A telling example of this occurs as Chappelle walks throughout his hometown in Ohio, passing out Willy Wonka-esque ‘golden ticket’s for those folks lucky enough to be invited to the block party. While he does give several tickets to ‘African-Americans’ in his town, he also dolls out a few passes to more or less elderly white people in the community. There reaction, and willingness to travel out of their element to the middle of Brooklyn, New York surprised me, but had me smiling after seeing their gratitude towards their hometown celebrity.
During his stint on Chappelle’s Show, Comedy Central realized the popularity the comedian had established using his brash, sometimes offense style of entertainment. Following this success, the network started asking for more, as is usually the case in this situation. For Chappelle though, this meant pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable and appropriate from an artistic standpoint. Comedy Central more or less pigeonholed Chappelle into acting a certain way on his show. Block Party was his attempt to show people there’s more to him than offensive racist humor. After viewing the film, it’s apparent that Chappelle is a laid-back guy, who sometimes seems uncomfortable being the center of attention. He is genuinely humbled throughout this film every time he introduces a famous musician or celebrity because you know these people are his idols.
The grittiness of Block Party comes through due in part to the overcast cloudy skies and rain that blanket the crowd and performers during the concert. Nothing was going to prevent Dave Chappelle from having the concert he always wanted to see come to fruition, even Mother Nature. Throughout the documentary, you get to see a side of Dave Chappelle many people never do apart form his roles in movies like Half-Baked and Undercover Brother, or his appearances on television. At one point in the film, Chappelle is quoted as saying, “Not every part of you is for sale,” in reference to the microscope that most celebrities are put under following success. Block Party was less about Dave Chappelle, and more about bringing something to fans that he could never have done without the mass exposure he received leading up to the film’s development and final release. That’s not to say there are not moments throughout the film that don’t show Chappelle’s comedy genius shining, but this was really about something more than comedy.
Block Party succeeds on many different levels. The incorporation of artistic and powerful cinematography, musical performances, and comedy provide an enjoyable viewing experience. Unfortunately, being a big fan of Dave Chappelle’s comedy, I was hoping to see more of him unleashed behind the camera. This was not the case though, as the last thirty plus minutes barely even contained more than a few segments featuring the comedian. In the end, I would recommend this documentary to anyone. You do not have to be a fan of Dave Chappelle or hip-hop to appreciate what this film brings to the table. A unique view into the lives of artists, but really just ordinary people turned celebrities happy to give back to the community that made them who they are today.
Block Party, released in March of 2006, is not merely a documentary of this concert event though; it is a reflection of the pressure placed on Chappelle following the success of his short-lived Comedy Central television program, Chappelle’s Show. Between the time this movie was filmed, and finally released, Dave Chappelle refused a $50 million contract extension to continue his popular show and disappeared to South Africa. Similarly, at this time in the United States several events took place that altered the way many Americans thought about race and politics. First, George Bush was elected president of the United States of his second term in late 2004 sparking uproars around the country of a continuation of the status quo. Second, Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, Louisiana in August 2005, leading to serious questions about the U.S. government’s reaction to this devastating natural disaster.
On the surface, Block Party is a documentary of a once in a lifetime concert organized by Dave Chappelle, featuring his favorite musical acts. Performers include; Dead Prez, The Roots, Kanye West, Common, Talib Kweli, Jill Scott, Mos Def, Erykah Badu, and The Fugees. Filmed at the corner of Quincy Street and Downing Street in Brooklyn, New York, Chappelle tried to keep the location of this performance a secret as long as possible. You find out later in the documentary that the site of the block party was leaked through the Internet prior to the actual filming and in turn the news spread like wildfire through the masses. My favorite performances were the Dead Prez anthem ‘Hip-Hop,’ and Kanye West’s ‘Jesus Walks,’ accompanied by the full Central State University marching band. Wyclef John’s short backstage performance of ‘If I were President,’ was another powerful piece of music featured in this documentary.
Block Party was filmed behind the backdrop of the ‘Broken Angel House,’ in Brooklyn. This is an extremely unique experience because prior to the actual performances, Chappelle introduces the audience to the owners of this modern day M. C. Escher house. This unfinished mass of architecture provides a haunting backdrop to the concert. The owners are eccentric, claiming to have magical powers, yet are both honored to have their home be the site of this documentary even if they are not fans of hip-hop music. Nearby the site of the block party is the day care center where the Notorious B.I.G. attended. This additional scene shows that the heart of the hip-hop movement occurred nearby and displays the pride of so many African Americans who are aware that the roots of this musical styling all happened in their back yards.
Dave Chappelle is known for his racially charged comedy routines, which often point out stereotype of all creeds in the hope to make light of how ridiculous racism is not only in the United States, but around the world as well. A telling example of this occurs as Chappelle walks throughout his hometown in Ohio, passing out Willy Wonka-esque ‘golden ticket’s for those folks lucky enough to be invited to the block party. While he does give several tickets to ‘African-Americans’ in his town, he also dolls out a few passes to more or less elderly white people in the community. There reaction, and willingness to travel out of their element to the middle of Brooklyn, New York surprised me, but had me smiling after seeing their gratitude towards their hometown celebrity.
During his stint on Chappelle’s Show, Comedy Central realized the popularity the comedian had established using his brash, sometimes offense style of entertainment. Following this success, the network started asking for more, as is usually the case in this situation. For Chappelle though, this meant pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable and appropriate from an artistic standpoint. Comedy Central more or less pigeonholed Chappelle into acting a certain way on his show. Block Party was his attempt to show people there’s more to him than offensive racist humor. After viewing the film, it’s apparent that Chappelle is a laid-back guy, who sometimes seems uncomfortable being the center of attention. He is genuinely humbled throughout this film every time he introduces a famous musician or celebrity because you know these people are his idols.
The grittiness of Block Party comes through due in part to the overcast cloudy skies and rain that blanket the crowd and performers during the concert. Nothing was going to prevent Dave Chappelle from having the concert he always wanted to see come to fruition, even Mother Nature. Throughout the documentary, you get to see a side of Dave Chappelle many people never do apart form his roles in movies like Half-Baked and Undercover Brother, or his appearances on television. At one point in the film, Chappelle is quoted as saying, “Not every part of you is for sale,” in reference to the microscope that most celebrities are put under following success. Block Party was less about Dave Chappelle, and more about bringing something to fans that he could never have done without the mass exposure he received leading up to the film’s development and final release. That’s not to say there are not moments throughout the film that don’t show Chappelle’s comedy genius shining, but this was really about something more than comedy.
Block Party succeeds on many different levels. The incorporation of artistic and powerful cinematography, musical performances, and comedy provide an enjoyable viewing experience. Unfortunately, being a big fan of Dave Chappelle’s comedy, I was hoping to see more of him unleashed behind the camera. This was not the case though, as the last thirty plus minutes barely even contained more than a few segments featuring the comedian. In the end, I would recommend this documentary to anyone. You do not have to be a fan of Dave Chappelle or hip-hop to appreciate what this film brings to the table. A unique view into the lives of artists, but really just ordinary people turned celebrities happy to give back to the community that made them who they are today.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Arrested Development Revision explained
For this revision of Arrested Development I decided that I was pretty happy with my original, but realized I could add a few more insightful details. I added more description to just exactly what Michael is feeling while trying to convince his Dad, George Sr. to give him control of the company, rather than to his incompetent family. I noticed I used the word ‘show’ pretty frequently throughout so I changed a few to ‘comedy’ or ‘program.’ I took Robert’s advice that the ‘sex-laced, incest based’ line regarding Maeby and George Michael was a little too racy. The closing paragraph was also originally a little too short, so I added more description on why this show succeeds where most Fox shows fail. There were a few additional commas that were added and I got rid of any more filler words. Thanks for the suggestions!
Arrested Development Revised
Arrested Development is a television show too smart for its own good. Luckily the producers cast the bumbling Bluth family so well, that dysfunction is rampant from the start. After watching only the first two episodes, it’s clear this is one of the wittiest shows on TV. Produced as a mockumentary of sorts, this clever depiction of the Bluth family in all their glory is one of the most refreshing television programs seen in years.
Arrested Development follows the Bluth family, wealthy socialites who see their real estate company crumble after coming under fire from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). George Sr., played by Jeffrey Tambor is the CEO of the Bluth Company and is sent to prison in the first episode. Although he is in prison, he still manages to control the company and manipulate his family from behind bars, or as George Sr. puts it, 'his vacation.' This sets the tone for the remainder of the show as the Bluth family all vie for control of the family fortune and company. Jason Bateman plays Michael Bluth, the most upstanding and driven Bluth, who assumes he will take over his father’s position at the head of the company after all the time he has put in. Unfortunately for Michael, the rest of his family is also assuming to get this position. Gob, played by Will Arnett, is the oldest Bluth and the most delusional of the bunch. His repeated shortcomings as a magician play out through the first few episodes and provide some of the funniest moments of the show. Gob’s inability to return a frozen dead dove to the magic store and his subsequent attempts to dispose of it, is a work of pure comedy.
Michael’s sister, Lindsay Fünke (Portia de Rossi) and her husband Tobias Fünke (David Cross) are perpetually fighting and attempting to one up the other. Tobias is a former psychologist turned actor whose repeated homosexual faux pas are noticed by everyone but himself. Lindsay on the other hand is lazy and cynical after living a life of privilege and excess. Their daughter, Maeby Fünke, played by Alia Shawkat, and Michael’s son, George Michael (Michael Cera) play estranged cousins whose innuendo-laced, incestuous relationship yields several awkward yet hilarious parts of the show. At one point George Michael is promoted to ‘Mr. Manager’ of the frozen banana stand, and Maeby is forced to help him. His father has only one request for his son after hiring her, “You stay on top of her buddy, do not be afraid to ride her…hard.”
The last two members of the Bluth family are George Sr.’s wife Lucille, played by Jessica Walter and their youngest son Buster (Tony Hale). Lucille is a drunk, who constantly belittles her Spanish-speaking maid and repeatedly tries to thwart Michael’s efforts to save the family business. Buster is a mama’s boy, inept at any sort of social situation due to his reliance on Lucille and inability to interact with people without having panic-attacks. This combination of personalities is the perfect mix of characters; fueling constant bickering, arson, extortion, and overall dysfunction.
Without these actors providing such memorable portrayals, Arrested Development, would not be the show it is. Also, the intelligent and gifted writing of creator Mitchell Hurwitz is what really drives this show. The interactions between the family members and the tricky situations they find themselves in result in hilarious outcomes. When George Michael and his father burn down the banana stand in the second episode, despite warnings from George Sr. that, ‘there is always money in the banana stand,’ it perpetuates the hysterical nature of this television show.
Furthermore, the style of this comedy as a kind of reality show meets documentary meets sitcom is unlike any other show I have ever seen. This combination of elements is extremely distinctive from most other programs on television today. The show’s narrator, Ron Howard, and his omnipresenence is another part that makes this show so smart. Howard is always there to quickly clarify any lies or misconceptions a member of the Bluth family may have just been spouting. The addition of still photos, home movies, newspaper headlines, and flashbacks are used to explain any past actions or events and meant to tie up any loose ends unclear to the audience.
Arrested Development succeeds where most shows fail. There are no telling signs of this show becoming stale and predictable like the oh so many FOX shows that have failed. i.e. Overweight, sarcastic husband who has the 'way too hot for him' wife, who repeatedly fails his kids but still learns a life lesson after only thirty minutes. The sheer absurdness that follows the Bluth's on a day to day basis means there is plenty of awkward hi jinks left in store for this family. It is fresh, funny, and stars some of the most talented actors on television today. It’s hard to say where Arrested Development will stand in the current list of television shows, but it seems as if this show has potential to be around for a long while.
Arrested Development follows the Bluth family, wealthy socialites who see their real estate company crumble after coming under fire from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). George Sr., played by Jeffrey Tambor is the CEO of the Bluth Company and is sent to prison in the first episode. Although he is in prison, he still manages to control the company and manipulate his family from behind bars, or as George Sr. puts it, 'his vacation.' This sets the tone for the remainder of the show as the Bluth family all vie for control of the family fortune and company. Jason Bateman plays Michael Bluth, the most upstanding and driven Bluth, who assumes he will take over his father’s position at the head of the company after all the time he has put in. Unfortunately for Michael, the rest of his family is also assuming to get this position. Gob, played by Will Arnett, is the oldest Bluth and the most delusional of the bunch. His repeated shortcomings as a magician play out through the first few episodes and provide some of the funniest moments of the show. Gob’s inability to return a frozen dead dove to the magic store and his subsequent attempts to dispose of it, is a work of pure comedy.
Michael’s sister, Lindsay Fünke (Portia de Rossi) and her husband Tobias Fünke (David Cross) are perpetually fighting and attempting to one up the other. Tobias is a former psychologist turned actor whose repeated homosexual faux pas are noticed by everyone but himself. Lindsay on the other hand is lazy and cynical after living a life of privilege and excess. Their daughter, Maeby Fünke, played by Alia Shawkat, and Michael’s son, George Michael (Michael Cera) play estranged cousins whose innuendo-laced, incestuous relationship yields several awkward yet hilarious parts of the show. At one point George Michael is promoted to ‘Mr. Manager’ of the frozen banana stand, and Maeby is forced to help him. His father has only one request for his son after hiring her, “You stay on top of her buddy, do not be afraid to ride her…hard.”
The last two members of the Bluth family are George Sr.’s wife Lucille, played by Jessica Walter and their youngest son Buster (Tony Hale). Lucille is a drunk, who constantly belittles her Spanish-speaking maid and repeatedly tries to thwart Michael’s efforts to save the family business. Buster is a mama’s boy, inept at any sort of social situation due to his reliance on Lucille and inability to interact with people without having panic-attacks. This combination of personalities is the perfect mix of characters; fueling constant bickering, arson, extortion, and overall dysfunction.
Without these actors providing such memorable portrayals, Arrested Development, would not be the show it is. Also, the intelligent and gifted writing of creator Mitchell Hurwitz is what really drives this show. The interactions between the family members and the tricky situations they find themselves in result in hilarious outcomes. When George Michael and his father burn down the banana stand in the second episode, despite warnings from George Sr. that, ‘there is always money in the banana stand,’ it perpetuates the hysterical nature of this television show.
Furthermore, the style of this comedy as a kind of reality show meets documentary meets sitcom is unlike any other show I have ever seen. This combination of elements is extremely distinctive from most other programs on television today. The show’s narrator, Ron Howard, and his omnipresenence is another part that makes this show so smart. Howard is always there to quickly clarify any lies or misconceptions a member of the Bluth family may have just been spouting. The addition of still photos, home movies, newspaper headlines, and flashbacks are used to explain any past actions or events and meant to tie up any loose ends unclear to the audience.
Arrested Development succeeds where most shows fail. There are no telling signs of this show becoming stale and predictable like the oh so many FOX shows that have failed. i.e. Overweight, sarcastic husband who has the 'way too hot for him' wife, who repeatedly fails his kids but still learns a life lesson after only thirty minutes. The sheer absurdness that follows the Bluth's on a day to day basis means there is plenty of awkward hi jinks left in store for this family. It is fresh, funny, and stars some of the most talented actors on television today. It’s hard to say where Arrested Development will stand in the current list of television shows, but it seems as if this show has potential to be around for a long while.
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