The Rotkopf family are the proud owners of Primavera Café & Restaurant in Monsey (106 NY-59). Since opening in 2016, it has become a staple of the community as a dairy spot that people can trust for good food and good times.
But it has also been around for a long enough time that the family got some feedback. And one of the pieces of feedback they received over and over again was that they should open a meat restaurant.
With many people in the family chipping in to help, two restaurants seemed doable and they took the leap. Their goal was for Churrasko to be a place that is comfortable and family friendly, but while also having really good food in a nice environment. Blending those two concepts together seems difficult, but they appear to have accomplished their goal. While the atmosphere is almost elegant in nature, there is a certain relaxing quality to the place. You’ll see families with children, but you can also get a really good steak if you want it.
When I was invited to Churrasko, the first thing I noticed was the two empanada appetizers on the menu. Yes, there are two different fillings, but they actually come in two types of dough as well. Though both were good, I’d recommend the Venezuelan Empanadas. While empanadas are easy to find in kosher restaurants these days, ones made from corn flour are not as common and they provide a crispier outside than the usual fare. The ground beef filling is very tasty without being spicy, but you can dip in the chipotle sauce to add the kick if you desire.
From the rather authentic empanadas, the next thing I’d suggest is more of a Tex-Mex-Jewish fusion project. Corned Beef Tacos might not be something that you’ve ever tried before, but if you like corned beef, these will really hit the spot. The trio of soft tacos features sweet and sour corned beef, both spring mix and purple cabbage, both pickled red onions and crispy fried onions, and a side of garlic mayo. The sauce may have enhanced the dish, but the tacos could certainly be eaten on their own. The out of the box combination really works nicely and makes for a welcome change compared to your standard taco appetizers.
Last but not least, you’ve got to try the Rib. This is exactly what the menu makes you think it is… a single large barbeque rib. Somehow this is just as good as it is simple. It’s on the “shareables” menu because you can easily strip the meat off the bone and disperse it to the members of your party, though feel free to just get it for yourself. The sauce was both smoky and sweet and it was perfect for somebody like myself who wishes ribs were on more menus.
If you are looking for a traditional entrée, go with the Hawaiian Chicken Skewers. The apricot ginger glaze makes for a great char as these skewers are clearly cooked over a live fire. As somebody who appreciates a good crunch on the outside of a piece of meat, I loved that char combined with the strong taste of the residual marinade. The peppers and onions weren’t overdone (as can sometimes happen when they are on the same skewer) and went well with the flavors involved. You can choose a side to go with the chicken and I chose correctly with the mashed potatoes. They were creamy and flavorful and a good pairing with the textures of the chicken and veggies.
Though Churrasko isn’t a steakhouse, they do have steaks on the menu and I have to say that the Reserve Cut is marvelous. A 16 ounce cut from the cap of the rib (sometimes called surprise steak), the meat was tender and juicy at my usual medium rare. With very little fat to speak of, I would venture to say that every meat eater would be pleased with what was one of the best pieces of meat that I have had in a while. If you are looking to enhance your steak (not needed, but still), it comes with a chimichurri sauce that was well balanced and complimented the steak without overpowering it. I’d suggest onion rings as a side dish (even though fries might be a more popular choice) as they are house-made, crispy, and I love steak and onions as a combination.
Sometimes I start my dessert intro with “if you have room for dessert.” This is not one of those times. Make room for dessert so that you can order the Baked Alaska. I’m not sure if any other kosher restaurant has it on the menu, so I was super excited to order it at Churrasko. It came out flaming and I was happy to wait the minute or so for the flames to go out before cutting into the masterpiece of brownie, ice cream, and burnt meringue. The version here features some caramel nut crunch on the inside, which I thought was interesting given that most patrons here will likely have nothing to compare this to. On the other hand, it showed that Churrasko was willing to go the extra mile to make something a little unique.
Whether it’s a date night and you want something comfortable yet classy, or you’re bringing the kids and need a place you will still enjoy, Churrasko is there as a new option. Make your way there and check it out for yourself.
Nati Burnside is a freelance writer living in Fair Lawn and is a man of many interests. He can be reached at [email protected].
