At Terra Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse, across from the Fashion Mall in Washington Township, dinner comes to the table a cut at a time. Fire-roasted meats and tableside carving are the center of the Brazilian churrasco format, with beef, lamb, chicken, pork and seafood represented on the menu. Diners repeatedly single out the steady rotation of meats and attentive staff.
The Gourmet Hot and Cold Table supplies the buffet counterpart to the carving service, including an extensive salad selection. It can also be ordered as a meal on its own. For a Brazilian accompaniment, diner recommendations include rice and beans with farofa and a Guaraná soft drink; the restaurant also serves wine, beer and classic cocktails.
White tablecloths, black napkins and wooden chairs surround a central buffet island beneath decorative wood-beam ceiling accents. It’s a dressier setting suited to group celebrations, and birthdays and graduation meals recur in diners’ accounts. The full experience costs $62.95 at dinner, compared with $39.95 for weekday lunch and $49.95 for weekend brunch. The hot and cold table alone is $19.95 at weekday lunch and $29.95 at dinner and brunch.
Terra Gaucha is at 8487 Union Chapel Road, Indianapolis. Lunch runs Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Friday until 3 p.m.; weekend brunch runs from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dinner begins daily at 4 p.m., ending at 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Reservations and online pickup ordering are offered.