Santa Fé O Cupim delivered a very strong four-star experience--bordering on five--thanks primarily…read moreto two truly exceptional specialties.
The undisputed star was the cupim casqueirado. Cupim is a uniquely Brazilian cut taken from the hump of zebu cattle. Because it contains plenty of marbled fat and connective tissue, it becomes extraordinarily tender and flavorful when cooked slowly. "Casqueirado" refers to the way the crisp, deeply browned exterior is carved away in thin layers, allowing the remaining meat to continue roasting and develop a new crust. Santa Fé's version was outstanding: intensely flavorful, remarkably tender, and crowned by an amazing bark.
Just as impressive was the linguiça cuiabana, a Brazilian sausage traditionally made with beef, milk, cheese, herbs, and peppers. It was easily one of the best sausages I've ever tried and every bit as memorable as the cupim. Both dishes deserve five stars.
The beef ribs were good, although I've had better, so I would rate them around 3.5 stars. The French fries were also good but fairly ordinary.
Dessert was enjoyable without quite reaching the level of the meats. The Choco Ball is extremely photogenic and visually striking, although its flavor doesn't completely live up to its dramatic presentation. The doce de leite pancakes were quite good. We also tried the banana split, which was enjoyable but, similarly, good rather than exceptional.
The only real disappointment was the arroz biro-biro, a popular Brazilian steakhouse side made by mixing white rice with ingredients such as bacon, eggs, herbs, and crispy shoestring potatoes. Unfortunately, this version was below average and the weakest dish of the meal.
Service was very good, while the setting is casual and decidedly no-frills. Our party of seven spent R$1,128 without alcohol--about R$161 per person--which represented excellent value for the quality and quantity of food.
Overall, Santa Fé O Cupim earns a very strong four stars, verging on five. The exceptional cupim and linguiça cuiabana are the absolute stars and make the restaurant more than worthwhile. I would gladly return for both.