Agora Churrascaria

Agora Churrascaria Restaurant Review:

Take a short trip to Brazil by dining at Agora, which means “now” in Portuguese. While the Irvine restaurant is well-known for its steady cavalcade of choice meats, most people don't realize this is a rather reasonable buffet lunch or dinner spot as well. Hearty offerings include an extensive salad bar, freshly cut fruits, seafood and hot dishes like black bean stew and chicken stroganoff. The sizzling cuts come to your table via smiling “gauchos,” who bring 16 types of charred meat on saber-like skewers, such as skirt steak, lamb chops, bacon-wrapped filet, chicken kabobs, pork ribs and chicken hearts. Desserts cost extra, but they are worth it, especially the blackberry Cabernet, mango and blood orange sorbets. Those looking to kick off their dining experience with a cocktail can choose from the serviceable list of Brazilian-inspired drinks including caipirinhas; Brazilian beers are available, too. At lunch, there’s a smaller meat selection, but the salad bar items remain fully intact.