Frevo Is Not Your Typical Churrascaria
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Cuisine Style: Brazilian, Latin
Average Price: $$$
Overall Rating: 5/5
Article Updated: February 2020
By Sean Overpeck (CFE)
**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for
Wine Dine and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:
By Cuisine / By Country
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Restaurant Name Zomato rating:
Executive Chef:
Alain Gobeil
Sous Chef:
Victor Leme
Frevo At the Fairmont Hotel, Palm Jumeriah, is a Brazilian Churrascaria at its best, and it has never tasted so good. As I explored OpenTable before visiting Dubai, and I was in the mood for a Brazilian Steakhouse, and all the top searches came back with the name Frevo, and let me tell you, that it now tops the list of the best Churrasco style restaurants I have ever eaten at. I tried Fogo de Chão in Atlanta, and Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse in Niagara, Canada, but it is the subtle difference in the end that makes all the differences in the world. When I was seated, as normal, the server explained how the meal would proceed, as Churrascaria is a new style that not everyone is familiar with yet. This is when I began to notice the small differences. Normally they say to get the salad from the salad bar, flip your coaster from red to green, and the server/chef’s start coming over to carve the meats onto your plate.
Menu - The Frevo Experience:
- Cheese Breads
- Paulista soup
- Brazilian Salad Bar
- Churrasco Festival
- Side Dishes
- Sauces
- Desserts / Sobremesa
- Vegetarian Experience
Here, however, they offered a different set standard. At first, they brought out an assortment of bread consisting of Halomi Parmesan pão de queijo, onion bread, and garlic bread, served with ricotta butter mixed with chives. A little later, they brought out some fried plantanos, followed by a San Paulo Brazilian Beef Soup with kidney beans, carrots, and potatoes. Once this was complete, then I took a stroll to the salad bar, where they had assortments and varieties of salad from all over the world. To cater to the middle east they had couscous salad, some smoked salmon, assorted cheese platters, fresh vegetables, a Greek salad, Aubergine, and beef, but most of all, and my favorite on the list, the Brazilian Tubule Salad, very similar to a Middle Eastern tabouli.
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| Frevo / Fried plantains |
At this point, I needed to rest and make room because the main part of the event was to come. Therefore, to pass the time, I started up a conversation with my waiter who was from India, the Chef from San Paulo, and the restaurant manager who was from Mexico. Now in most Brazilian style steakhouses, the tables have a coaster that is red on one side and green on the other. At Frevo, they had a little lightbox on the table, where you pressed a button to illuminate it with either the red or the green color. Once the green came on the kitchen went into action and began delivering and carving the assorted meats. First, the server brought out three side dishes with sauces that were to accompany the meat selections. This was also known to my experiences. The first side dish was Fried Biro Biro Rice with a spicy gaúcho sauce which was tomato with Texas Pete, not the South American Cowboy. Then the second side dish was a Farofa served with a Chimichurri Sauce, and finally, a black bean Stew served with a hot peppercorn sauce.
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| Frevo / Assorted Salads |
From the collage of pictures below from left to right is the Biro Biro rice, followed by a person holding a skewer of chicken legs. Next on the list is flank steak, chicken wrapped in beef bacon, because remember this is the Middle East, so no pork, which is unfortunate. Can you imagine how good this menu would be if you added pork? Then we have chicken thighs, top sirloin, beef short ribs, and ending out the second column was the lamb chops. I added some chimichurri sauce to the top as you could see in the picture. On the third row, we have New York strip loin, picanha, garlic sirloin filet, and the wine I had to drink, a wonderful Spanish wine called Marqués de Cáceres Tinto Crianza, Rioja 2008. According to the winemaker, it is a dense burgundy red color with darker highlights. Profound, aromatic bouquet with hints of “picota” cherries, raspberries, eucalyptus and spices that add complexity. Deliciously full with firm tannins enriched by the dark fruits of the forest (blackberries, blueberries) and toasted notes. Luscious with good length and a refreshing finish. On the forth a final row we have Leg of lamb, rib-eye steak, and roasted pineapple.
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| Frevo / Meat Cuts |
Dessert:
Dessert was a Latin and Central American classic of mini churros stuffed with traditional dulce de leche. They also have a live-action chocolate creation, a fruit carnival, and end the night with some delightful petit fours.
Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.
Wine regulatory’s for the tastings in this article:
European Union:
Spain:
Other Noteworthy Latin Articles and Restaurants Similar to Frevo:
Latin cuisine refers to typical foods, beverages, and cooking styles common to many of the countries and cultures in Latin America (Central and South America), and the Latin Caribbean Islands.
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Fogo de Chão Upscale Brazilian fair with 49 locations. Review based in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia
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See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
Other Dubai restaurants and articles on Wine Dine and Play:
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Contemporary Japanese restaurant, sushi, & cocktail mixology
DFIC, Dubai, UAE
A Top 20 on Wine Dine and Play
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Posh and artful French cuisine + culinary experimentalism at Intercontinental Hotel
Now Called Reflets Bistro
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Upscale fine dining global cuisine
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A Top 20 on Wine Dine and Play
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Turkish culinary journey with an eclectic European twist
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Sleek Japanese eatery with sushi/sashimi
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Contemporary Middle Eastern and Levant buffet at Hyatt Park Hotel Dubai Creek, Dubai, UAE
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See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary by country”
Final notes, review basics, observations, and more pictures:
Most reviews are subjective, depending on the writer; but they should also be responsible, and respectfully written, upholding the truth, and accurately conveying the experience to the best of the writer's knowledge, even if it includes metaphors the restaurant may not like to read about. My ratings are by the stars I award (from 0 to 5). The rating is calculated on a point accumulation of six separate factors based on individual experience. They include wine and other beverage selections, plate presentation, customer service, restaurant or café ambiance, food quality, and wow factor.
To see more details of this rating list, read this article:
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings for Frevo
|
Max Points Possible:
|
Total Points Awarded:
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Total Points deducted:
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Ambiance
|
10
|
10
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0
|
Food quality
|
10
|
8
|
2
|
Plate presentation
|
8
|
8
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0
|
Customer service
|
7
|
6
|
1
|
Alcohol and other beverages
|
9
|
7
|
2
|
Total regular points awarded
|
44
|
39
|
5
|
Total percentage Before Bonus
|
0.886363636363636
| ||
“Wow” factor BONUS
|
5
|
3
|
0
|
Total bonus percentage
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0.0681818181818182
| ||
Total percentage with a bonus for the final star rating
|
0.954545454545455
| ||
Stars Awarded (see chart below)
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0 - 5
|
5
|
**A full break down and explanation of the observations and point disbursement is available in the linked article above. To receive a detailed copy of your score, feel free to contact me at any time and I will provide it to you.**
***
Overall Star Rating:
|
5 of 5 Stars:
95% Rating with a 3 point “wow” bonus
An Extraordinary Dining Experience
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Wine List:
| |
Wine rating:
|
8 of 10
Old World selections:
France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Portugal
New World selections:
Argentina, Chile, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, California, South Africa, Lebanon,
|
Corkage fees:
|
This Restaurant does not list any corkage fee’s however, most American restaurants charge
$25.00 per bottle
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Restaurant-style:
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Conservative dining
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Frevo's Cuisine style:
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Brazilian, Latin, Steakhouse
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Halal, Low Carb, Pescatarian, Vegetarian Options
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Reservations:
|
Not Required, But Recommended
Walk-Ins:
Accepted, but not guaranteed
|
Dress code:
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Smart casual or Conservative attire
|
Child policy:
|
The Restaurants reviewed on this site may have a kids menu or cater to them; however, for full enjoyment of food and wine, it is recommended that kids not to be in attendance, unless they have been trained in proper etiquette.
If not then:
Hire a Babysitter!
|
Experiences:
|
Place for foodies, Modern, Lounge, Business parties, Great bar, Great outdoor dining, Good for special occasions, Scenic views, Classy, Upscale, and a Neighborhood Gem.
|
Payments:
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Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
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Parking:
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Valet or hotel parking
|
Wifi
|
The restaurants reviewed on this site may have Wi-Fi, but do not require you to go online, because the excitement of the food and wine alone will keep you too entertained instead of checking your social media and emails.
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Noise level:
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Medium
|
Smoking:
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Frevo is a non-smoking restaurant
WARNING: A smoking patio
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Patio or terrace:
|
Yes
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Food Prices
(excludes, alcohol, taxes & 20% gratuity’s)
$£€¥ - Under 50.00 (inexpensive)
$£€¥ x 2 - 51.00- 99.00 (moderate)
$£€¥ x 3 - Over 100.00 (pricey)
$£€¥ x 4 - Over 200.00 (expensive)
$£€¥ x 5 - Over 400.00 (very expensive)
**Currencies reflect the world’s major travelers, restaurant, or wine connoisseur’s**
Currency:
|
Price
|
Arab Emirati Dirham (AED)
|
د.إ
|
United States Dollar (USD)
|
$$$
|
Brazilian Real (BRL)
|
R$$$$
|
Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
|
£££
|
Canadian Dollar (CAN)
|
$$$
|
Chinese Yuan (CNY)
|
¥¥¥¥¥
|
European Union (EUR)
|
€€€
|
Frevo Brazilian Steakhouse:
Fairmont the Palm
Palm Jumeriah
Dubai, UAE
United Arab Emirates
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
| |
Maître d or host:
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+971 4 457 3457
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Online reservations
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Email Contact:
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Serving hours:
UAE Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC + 3:00)
|
Lunch: Friday
12:00 am - 3:00 pm
Dinner: Mon-Sun
7:00 pm - 11:30 pm
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Social Media
And
Accolades For Frevo:
| |
****
The world's best restaurants is a subjective list of who is writing it and changes on a regular basis. The Wine Dine and Play best experiences are based on my highest rated stared restaurants, meaning that the visit was an outstanding or extraordinary experience. From cafés, chains, mom + pops, hole in the walls, to fine dining including a few Michelin spots. Visit the Top 100 page to see the entire list.
A few to tease you with…
|
Modern Australian haute cuisine
Sydney, Australia
|
Charming French Bistro with a movie filmed terrace
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
|
Upscale eatery with butchery at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Tampa, Florida, USA
|
Other Pictures:
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| Frevo / Dubai Marina |
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| Frevo / Steak cuts artwork on the table |
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| Frevo / Assorted bread |
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| Frevo / Black bean stew |
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| Frevo /Assorted Sauces |
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| Frevo / The Crew and I |
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| Frevo / Samba |
“Culinary perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things,
But in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
-Angelique Arnauld (1591-1661)
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
