Estábulo Rodizio Bar and Grill

There are two central elements that define the Estábulo Rodizio Bar and Grill experience: a traditional method of cooking, and an all-you-can-eat style of service. Both are based on Brazilian customs; this restaurant honours the Brazilian Gaúchos’ way of preparing meat, in which the best cuts are skewered and cooked slowly on open flames, before being served straight from the grill. Once seated, guests start by visiting Estábulo’s salad bar and Brazilian hot buffet then, once ready, turn a small round card at the table to green to signal readiness for an unlimited table-side service of eight cuts of meat for lunch, or 15 at dinner time, for a fixed price.

Green signals ‘Bring it on!’, whilst the other side of the card, which is red, says ‘I’m ready to pop’. It’s a formula that’s proved popular – as well as this branch in Wakefield, there are Estábulo restaurants in Leeds, Doncaster, Harrogate, Barnsley and more. This might have something to do with the sheer amount and range of meat that’s on offer for a set price: beef tenderloin, picanha, which is cap of rump cooked with garlic, chilli beef, sirloin steak, beef skirt, chicken and bacon, chicken heart (a Brazilian delicacy), pork belly, pork sausage and gammon all feature. There are vegetarian options, too, such as butternut squash risotto or rigatoni giardiniera cooked in a chilli cheese and garlic sauce – but this place is really for meat-lovers.

Desserts feature sticky toffee pudding, dark chocolate mousse and several different types of cheesecake, including one with a lotus biscuit crumb and another that’s ferrero rocher flavoured. There’s a comprehensive list of cocktails, too – all of which is about fostering a festive atmosphere in which guests can really enjoy themselves. The restaurant offers a congenial setting in which to do so, with a wood panelled ceiling, chairs with red leather seats, warm bare bulbs and a decorative wall. No wonder Estábulo Rodizio Bar and Grill has proved so popular.