Before I get in too deep, I feel the need to start off with a slight complaint, because so many restaurants say this including Jak’s. “ We buy only corn fed, Nebraska raised beef. The finest beef available anywhere!” Displayed promptly on the front of the menu. If you use the word “finest” in any sentence you can make people believe it is true. What I read is: “We buy only corn fed beef, because it is the fattiest and cheapest beef available anywhere!” Oh well…I can only bet if this place sold grass-fed meat it would be even more expensive, but come-on…do you really have to brag about selling grain-fed meat? Anyways, onto the meat of this review.

On Monday nights they have the Prime Rib special. For around $21 you get around 18ounces of meat, which in comparison to their other prices, is a great deal. This also comes with a salad. The meat usually comes with steamed vegetables and potatoes but they had no problem substituting the potato for more veg. Also with the meal is a side of Au Jus and Horseradish (looked creamed so I skipped it).

Taste: 8 – Meat was a little undercooked even for me. Fat was chewy. 
Nutrition: 8 – Fatty cornfed meat. Otherwise pretty darn good. 
Filling: 9
Price: $$$ (Dinner)
Overall Value: 7 – Pretty good meal, but like all steakhouses (except Brazilian!) you can do what they do at home for a fraction of the price. Also I love me some steamed vegetables but when I eat out I wouldn’t mind something a little more creative.

For those who didn’t see, there is a very special event this coming Sunday. We’ve convinced an already gluten / dairy free friendly restaurant to be 100% Paleo for the night. Getting restaurants on board isn’t easy and a successful night this weekend could be the start of a big movement.

To do this though, we need your support. There are still 25 slots left that we’d love to see go. If you have the time, please consider attending to help show the culinary world there is a demand for this type of food.

Thanks and see you all there!

RSVP: http://www.meetup.com/paleoseattle/events/41310402/

Here’s what I had:

SOUPE DU JOUR .........................................................................8

Was a tomato provencal soup on that day. Very good.

*GRILLED PORK CHOP............................................................. 17
10oz Grilled Pork Chop in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Lemon, Garlic and Herbs

Usually comes with mashed potatoes but they were happy to substitute a green salad
for me, and I was happy to accept.

Taste: 8 (meat was overcooked) Nutrition: 10
Filling: 7
Price: $$$
Overall Value: 8 – Left happy, would come back. Wasn't anything too special
or crazy though. I can make a pork chop and salad at home too.

Butter Lettuce Salad : $8 – Point Reyes blue, shaved radish and red onion, toasted hazelnuts, sherry vinaigrette (cheese left off)

Grilled Oregon Natural Meats Ribeye: $29 - Grilled Walla Walla onions, Olsen farm Ozettes, sautéed kale (Subbed ozette potatoes for butternut squash +$2)

Taste: 10
Nutrition: 10
Filling: 9
Price: $$$ (Dinner)
Overall Value: 7 – Great meal, just very expensive

I’ll be back as soon as I’m rich, Stumbling Goat Bistro!

Similar selection of unlimited slow roasted meats, “Rodizio” style.

Amazon Grill staff prepping the meats for the roaster. Like Ipanema, there is a massive deli style salad bar included in the Rodizio price. On there you will find tons of different Paleo friendly looking side dishes from asparagus to sweet potato to bok choy. Something for everyone indeed!

Taste: 10
Nutrition: 10? (No idea on meat quality, but its mainly leaner cuts at least at lunch time)
Filling: 10 (If less, its your own fault!)
Price: $$ (Lunch) $$$ (Dinner)

Right now Yelp has a great deal for $40 off $80 worth of food there. Check it out!

Also be sure to read Gil’s guide to Rodizio, found on the Ipanema review page.

I love this place, but I don’t think they make much money off me.

Here’s what I had:

Appetizer;

‘Taylor Shellfish’ Mussels (gluten-free) $9/$12
Local fresh shellfish, skillet steamed with white wine, shallots,
bacon & granny smith apples.

I asked if it was dairy free and they said they could do it that way…my guess is using oil instead of butter or maybe leaving out a splash of cream. Whatever they did, it did not affect the taste as it was delicious. I shared the large portion and it was a very decent size.

Main Course:

Grilled Steak Salad (gluten-free) $15
On apple pumpkin hash sauteed with winter greens and tart dried cherry gastrique

A little small on portion but not on taste…steaked was cooked perfectly…other components worked very well together. A little sugar in the gastrique? Sure, but in the small quantity consumed as a garnished – not too worried about it. The camera flash makes it look blander than it was.

Side Dish:

Handcut Sweet Potato Fries with aioli , $6

Probably not the best oil used but it would be unlike me to pass up on handcut sweet potato fries. These were great. Thick, fluffy, great dipping sauce. For $6 though I would have liked to seen a bigger pile.

So in total – how is 50 North?

Taste: 9
Nutrition: 9
Filling: 8
Price: $$$
Overall: 8

Little pricey for the portion sizes but I definitely didn’t leave hungry and will come back for more sometime soon!

Check this event out: http://www.meetup.com/paleoseattle/events/31650072/

Hosted by Ballard Barbell and Boxing Club.com. Hope to see you all there!

Now before we get started, I do have to admit that I know these aren’t the healthiest thing to eat. While better than other foods such as regular french fries and grain and sugar based items, they aren’t something I’d recommending letting yourself getting as addicted to as I have become. They are often fried in poor oils and can be heavily processed. But this series isn’t about health, it is about sweet potato fries and the best and worst locations for enjoying their contributions to society. By following this guide you can see where to order them and where to avoid them, making your indulgence worth it.

Grading criteria will be simple:

1. Hand-cut or Processed: Unfortunately most restaurants use frozen, processed fries. Restaurants that go the extra effort to hand-cut them will receive bonus points.
2. Texture: What I’m looking for here is crispness on the outside, and preferably fluffiness on the inside. The ultimate combination.
3. Portion: Nothing angers me more than spending $6 on a side of sweet potato fries only to receive a tiny handful. Go big or go eat salad.
4. Price: Tied in with portion somewhat, but was it priced reasonable?
5. Taste: Seasoning, spices, herbs and any other factor that effects taste will be documented. Nobody likes flavorless fries

Extra Credit: These items are desirable but not required for a quality experience
- Did it come with a dipping sauce?
- Was it presented well?
- Was it listed on a gluten free menu?
- Was a quality oil used?

Now let’s get started! The adventure begins now. Visit http://yamfryseattle.wordpress.com to follow along!

During lunch they have around 9 different cuts, and during dinner around 19. Also included in the price is an all you can eat salad bar (think more of deli salads, not just plain vegetables).

Some cuts of meat to expect are: bacon wrapped steak, garlic steak, top sirloin, rib-eye, tri-tip, pepper steak, chicken legs, and more. You can see their full selection here:
http://www.ipanemabraziliangrill.us/meats.php

Two examples:

House special top sirloin

Bacon wrapped steak (It was Halloween so the server was dressed up)

All you can eat meat = very happy blogger

Taste: 10
Nutrition: 10
Filling: 10 (If less, its your own fault!)
Price: $$ (Lunch) $$$ (Dinner)

I have no idea if the meat is seasoned or marinaded with anything non-paleo. Honestly I don’t want to know. If you find out, please don’t tell me.  I’ve never felt sick after eating here so unless you are severely allergic to something, just enjoy it! (I did pass on the obvious offenders, like Parmesan pork).

My suggestions for your best experience:

1. Lunch Monday – Friday is only $17.00. When I’ve gone there for lunch, it was my only meal for that day and I wasn’t hungry again until lunch the following day. To get the most out of your money, go to lunch during the week. Dinner costs $40 and while you get 10ish more cuts to choose from, since for the lunch price you can go twice and still only be at $34, I’d rather do that.

2. Don’t go on a holiday. When they are super busy, the quality of the cooking drops and so does your experience. I’ve been there during some really busy times where they only come around to your table every 10 minutes and the food is only decent. I’ve also been there for lunch during the middle of a work day and it was the best damn food I’ve ever had.

3. Don’t eat anything before you go for at least 16 hours. You’ll be glad that you didn’t.

4. Don’t plan anything strenuous or sedentary for the rest of the day. You’ll be too full to workout, but also too full to sit down.

5. Drink lots of water before and after (but not during). The salt will dehydrate you.

6. Skip the salad bar. That’s how they get’cha. People fill up on cheap greens. No rabbit food for me. I’m there for the meat.

7. Try not to fill up on the sausage. It’s really good but will fill you up to quick!

8. Pace yourself, say no every so often. Take your time.  You’ll be there a good 1-2 hours. Plan accordingly. Don’t stuff yourself full in the first 20 minutes.

That’s it. Gil’s guide to Rodizio eating. Now get off the internet and go to Ipanema! I hear they are serving meat tonight.

Started with:
Grilled Romaine Salad: feta, kalamata olives, English cucumber, smokey grilled tomato vinaigrette. Asked for no feta.

Main Course:

Washington Chicken: garlic-crusted pan-roasted Washington chicken, rosemary garlic fingerlings, seasonal vegetable, pan jus. They did extra vegetable for me instead of potatoes. First time ever having that vegetable in my life too. Its basically the consistency of cauliflower but green. Chicken was served with some fried leeks on top.

Taste: 7
Nutrition: 10
Filling: 8
Price: $$$
Overall Value: 7

I’ve been here once before yesterday and it was excellent. This time it was not. Maybe the head chef took the night off yesterday. It was fine, but wasn’t great. For $20+ an entree, it needs to be great. But if you are in the area and looking for an upscale place to try, definitely keep it in mind as it has the potential to be great, and at the very least has even more options other than what I chose.