Review - The Copacabana Brazilian Steak House, Niagara Falls

Well, out of all the times Bob and I have gone out for our monthly dinner, in search of something good and well worth the price, we decided for May to hit up a place called The Copacabana Brazilian Steak House in Niagara Falls. He had heard about it, and we figured that we should try it out, because it was known as a "meat eaters paradise". We headed down to the Falls, and pulled in about 3 pm, and went to the old casino, to pick up free tickets to Yuk Yuks, with Mark Forward headlining. We hit a few slots, and had a couple of drinks, then made our way to the Copa around 5:20. Parking was a bit steep, around the back of the restaurant, so if you plan on going down, park for free at the Fallsview Casino, and walk over. It's about a 5 minute walk, but it beats paying $6 (I know, we are cheap, but that is 2 drafts later in the evening...). When we got in, we noticed that the outside patio was nice, but on Friday night, the weather was "iffy", so we decided to grab a table inside. We were taken up to the back lounge area, with comfy booths (not that Bob and I wanted one...don't even think we are "that way"...not that there is anything wrong with that). We were introduced to the salad bar/buffet, which had lots of typical salad bar type things...smoked salmon, mussels, shrimp, and various salads, which were light and tasty. I had a potato salad with peas, and it was light, and didn't weigh me down later.

When we got back to the booth, our waiter took our drink order, and tonight we figured we would have a nice red wine to go with all the meat we were expecting to have...since Brazil wasn't represented, we opted for another South American wine, Trumpeter Merlot. As soon as we sat down, the wait staff started to bring the skewers of meat - tonight, we were informed, they had 14+ meats available for us, and we started with garlic marinated sirloin, and pepper steak. These were fabulous, but, as always, we kept eating as they brought out more and more different meats. BBQ pork sausage came out, followed by honey garlic chicken, leg of lamb, bacon wrapped turkey breast (unbelievable taste!!), beef ribs, and the prime cuts; top sirloin, prime rib, and filet mignon. Well, the best meat we could have was the top sirloin, and every slice they served us (there are 4 roasts on a skewer, and you get a slice off each roast if you want) was BBQ cripsy on the outside, and nice and pink on the inside. Every bite was fantastic, and went well with the marinated mushroom salad from the bar. We learned pretty quick that the top sirloin was the best they had available, so we tended to taste that more often. We were a bit discouraged when the waiter said there was a 2 hour limit, but, being big eaters, we were stuffed way beyond comfortable after an hour and a half. As we came to the close of dinner, the place started to get busy, and the band started with some brazilian music, and out came a couple of dancing girls, to rev up the crowd. When the entertainment started, they brought us some BBQ'd pineapple, sprinkled with cinnamon, which was exactly what we needed after gorging ourselves on the top sirloin. Bob topped it off with a Spanish coffee, and I settled for a regular coffee. All in all, a fabulous meal, if you were ever wondering what it was like.

The total tab for the dinner for 2 was $127, with tip, took it to $145. We threw one of the meat guys $5 for taking care of our top sirloin needs, and we are sure we got our money's worth. It's $35.95 per person, and well worth the taste of BBQ'd meats, in a way you have never tasted...they were all marinated and cooked to perfection. I would suggest that you hold out for the top sirloin, and make that your first choice, and then sample the others as you see fit. Out of all the restaurants we have frequented, this is one that we will definitely go back to, and we are looking at trying it in the summer time, on the patio, a little later in the evening. They don't take reservations, and you will have an hour wait at least once 7 pm comes around, but, it will be well worth the wait.

Visiting the Copa for dinner has given me a new lease on the Falls...it was going downhill pretty fast with the touristy crap, but if the Copa sticks around, then things will improve dramatically. Excellent meal, excellent service, and one of the best meals Bob and I have had!

Check it out, and remember, hold out for the top sirloin!!

Review - Yuk Yuks, Niagara Falls, ON

It's been awhile since my last posting, so I figured I would do a catch up. So, even though it has been a few months, I will continue to post over the next week or two of the latest and greatest.

Last week, I had the chance to get down to Yuk Yuk's, in Casino Niagara with Dave. The tickets were comps, so we figured we would check it out. The entertainment was good, with the headliner being Dan Quinn. We had a good laugh. I don't think I would pay $17 for a Friday night performance...but, that would depend on who was there that night.

As for the bar, bottled beer was a reasonable $4.50, and service was good. We got there just before 9, and as a result, ended up sharing a table way off to the side. I would suggest that if you want to get a good seat, get there early when the doors open (8:30), and sit and relax with a drink and get ready for the mayhem when everyone else decides to sit down. The performance was almost 2 hours. Maybe with the location (casino), the fact that there were older folk in attendance, you didn't quite get the yuks you would expect with the jokes. Maybe their hearing aids were turned down from all the bells and whistles from the slots.

All in all, a worthwhile visit, and I am sure we will check it out again. They serve appetizers, so I will check those out next time.

Review - Market Buffet, Casino Niagara

I got a chance to go down for a free dinner, courtesy of comps, to the old Casino Niagara last night with Dave. We decided to try it, since it has been a few years. We were impressed! The meal was great, with crab legs, associated seafood as starters, and they even had an option to add a steak to your buffet experience for $6.50.

Besides the normal buffet fare, the steak was served hot in an iron skillet. Dave ordered the 10 z strip loin, I had the 12 oz prime rib steak.

For all its worth, the steak was one of the best I have ever had! Tasty and done to perfection...Dave had his well done, which I think is a crime for any steak, but my med rare was perfect. The only thing I would change would be serving it in an iron skillet. Tended to make the steak more well done than I wanted towards the end. It kept the steak hot though!

With the other offerings at the buffet, we came out stuffed and satisfied...I would go for adding the steak to your buffet meal, and get ready to enjoy it. Definitely will be back there again for dinner, and I would even put it above the Fallsview Casino's Grand Buffet. Total bill was $56, but it was free...

Next week, Bob and I are heading out for Indian food, at a new place on Main Street. Stay tuned!

Review - Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls

It's been a few days since Bob and I had our monthly dinner out. We hit the Fallsview Casino Grand Buffet on 23 Oct, to enjoy a night away at the hotel, and a night of Monday Night Football.

The buffet was great, as usual. The price was dropped to $20, including taxes, and we started with some crab legs, shrimp, and some salad. For the next course, you can't beat the roast beef, and you have to have the grilled corn on the cob. Can't beat it. They have quite a few items available for all tastes, and it is a great deal, at $20 per person.

For dessert, we had some rice pudding (not as good as what I can make, see below...), various other sweet treats. Top that off with a coffee, and you have a full tummy, with lots of goodies. After dinner, we headed over to the old casino, to watch the football game, Giants at Dallas. Giants won of course, but I digress!!! With a few martinis, we were doing well for the night. The old casino has a sportsbook, which is just a glorified Pro-Line, but they do have nice TVs. Another home run with the visit for the ball game.

We had planned on stopping off at the deli at the casino, but we were full from dinner. So, that will have to wait for another time.

The room was nice, a parlour suite, which looked out to the Falls...American and the Canadian versions. I had a good sleep, and was off to dream land quickly.

The next morning, Bob and I slept in, and we didn't get a chance to hit the pool. We got up and headed down to the breakfast buffet, and enjoyed a fantastic breakfast, which opens at 8 am. We just made it at 10:30, and enjoyed omelettes, Eggs Benny, and assorted breakfast meats. Not a bad deal for $10!!

All in all, a great dinner and breakfast at the casino. We will head back and do it again soon, as long as the comps keep up!!

Review - Niagara Fallsview Casino Birthday Dinner 21 Feb 06

Yes, yes, yet another birthday dinner, courtesy of another casino. Niagara Fallsview Casino has regular birthday dinners too, similar to Casino Windsor. Same setup, like you are at a distant relative's wedding. Bob and I made it there for our regular monthly dinner night, instead of hitting a local restaurant.

Good choice! They had a buffet set up in their ballrooom, but this time, the focus was on Italian. They had a good choice of pastas and meats, with the main item being roast beef. The salads were good, but all in all, they could have done a better job at getting people up to eat. Although it was all you can eat, they closed it down after the first run at the tables. Food was tasty, with a really good cannelloni for all to enjoy.

Hard to do a good write up on what Fallsview had to offer, since I had been at Casino Windsor the week before. Fallsview had a cash bar, and you felt rushed during dinner. A little more rigid in the service and trying to herd 1500+ people through the buffet was their downfall.

If I had a choice, I would prefer the Casino Windsor buffet over the Fallsview. Now, just because the birthday dinner buffet wasn't the best it could be, the Grand Buffet at the Fallsview is excellent. So, if you want a freebie, be sure to head down to Fallsview if you get invited. Otherwise, take the time to stand in line at the Grand Buffet at the Falls...its one of Bob's favourites!

I recently purchased a digital camera, so postings from now on will most likely have pictures of where and what we have, in addition to anything I have made at home. Stay tuned, things are just getting started with this blog!