Latina first opened in Shanghai in 1998, becoming a pioneer of Brazilian churrasco-style barbecue in China’s food and beverage industry. Now, under Executive Chef Wanderson Junior da Silva’s supervision, Latina’s first branch in Shenzhen has opened in Sea World with feathered Samba dancers, a Brazilian band, hanging garden and the juiciest of meat cuts: the picanha.
Known as top sirloin or rump cap, the picanha lies above a cow’s sirloin and rump area. Brazilians pride themselves on saying they discovered this prime cut covered by a layer of thick fat. Latina’s chefs slowly roast the picanha on a skewer over open flames until the fat part turns golden. Then, they season it with sea salt, making it tender and tangy. The original flavor of the beef itself comes through fully due to the minimal seasoning.
The picanha is included, along with all the other food at Latina, in the churrasco-style buffet (RMB108 for lunch, from 11am-2pm; RMB168 for dinner, from 5pm-10pm).
For those unversed in meat cuts, Latina provides a handy cow diagram on each table that provides a little info about each part of the beast. From this, we selected the fraldinha or ‘bottom sirloin’ cut. It too was tender, flavorful and filling.
We refreshed our palate from all the meat with a caipirinha (RMB50), full of sugary cachaça and the choicest of limes. For a healthier drink, try the Amazon acai smoothie (RMB38). Made with imported Amazoo Brazilian acai juice, banana, soy milk and honey, it has antioxidants as well as fiber. Though drinks aren’t included in the buffet price, these high-quality beverages are worth the extra dough.
Speaking of dough, Latina also makes cheese balls – crispy, soft, gooey, glorious cheese balls. Get them.
Finally, we ordered a dessert we had somehow miraculously saved room for, something light, fruity and fresh. The papaya cream was the obvious choice, a blend of papaya, vanilla ice cream and smooth cassis liquor. This freshest of desserts is only made once ordered and is large enough to split with a friend.
A hearty meal, Samba tunes, fruity drinks and desserts and a whole lot of meat. We’ll definitely be back to experience it all again.
Price: Approx. RMB108-168
Who’s going: Dedicated carnivores
Good for: Brazilian bang for your buck
// Listing.
0 User Comments