Dry-aged steaks hang from hooks just inside the entrance of the Casa do Brasil steakhouse in Vilseck, Germany. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
There is nothing like sinking your teeth into a nice juicy steak for celebrating a special occasion.
However, finding a quality cut of meat seems to be a challenge in the Grafenwoehr/Vilseck area.
Or at least I thought this was the case before I had the chance to visit Casa do Brasil steakhouse in downtown Vilseck.
The inside of Casa do Brasil steakhouse in Vilseck, Germany, is furnished with edgewood tables, various artwork and candlelight. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
My first impression upon entering was a good one. Dry-aging steaks on display brought back memories of similar steakhouses in the States.
The good vibes continued after I sat down. Casa do Brasil has that mom-and-pop-restaurant feel I’ve become accustomed to while living in Germany.
Even though only two other tables were occupied on the night I visited, I still felt as if I was the owners’ sole focus.
They provided drink pairings guidance and food suggestions, and even escorted me to look at the meats available.
The pao de queijo appetizer surrounded with the house assortment of homemade bread, hummus and other vegetables, at Casa do Brasil steakhouse in Vilseck, Germany. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
Having seen the dry-aged T-bone hanging in the glass display case, I knew what my main course would be. For the appetizer, I chose the pao de queijo, a Brazilian cheese bread.
It came topped with herbs and raw meat. Coming six to a serving, it was a delicious yet filling way to start my meal. It also supplemented the assortment of homemade bread, hummus, veggies and another little dish provided to every table.
This restaurant experience is definitely meant to be shared, as I was already feeling full after doing my best to eat as many of the delicious small plates as possible.
The dry-aged T-bone steak comes with mashed potatoes and a side salad at Casa do Brasil steakhouse in Vilseck, Germany. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
Afterward, the T-bone was presented on a large wooden plate and topped with garlic butter. It came with a side salad and mashed potatoes.
Will the steak measure up for Texans? Probably not, but there aren’t too many places that would. For me, though, this hit the spot.
Given that the T-bone is a difficult steak to cook right because of its inconsistent thickness, I was very happy to see a red center and a crisp crust.
The salad, which had large chunks of tomatoes, onions and cucumbers, had a little too much dressing on it for me, a common experience in this part of the world. But the creamy mashed potatoes more than made up for the salad’s deficiencies.
After finishing every bite of the steak and conversing with the owners for 20 minutes, I was too full to even look at the dessert menu, even though the flan was calling my name.
But it was a thoroughly satisfying dinner, and I walked away plenty content.
The exterior of the Casa do Brasil steakhouse is hard to miss when driving through the downtown of Vilseck, Germany. (Michael Slavin/Stars and Stripes)
Casa do Brasil
Address: Marktplatz 42, 92249 Vilseck
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Monday
Price: Between 20 euros for small plates and 46 euros for some of the more expensive steaks, cash only.
Menus: German and English
Information: +49 9662 7010121; https://www.facebook.com/casadobrasilvilseck/
