Tonight we’re going out with another couple to this place called Bacana Brasil

http://www.bacanabrazil.com/index.html

Here is how it goes they give you a card that says yes or no and serve meats to you until you turn the card over and it says No. The rest is buffet. I have never been to this place, and I’m trying to come up with a strategy. First of all I have decided I am not going to get my money’s worth. Secondly I have a big bike ride tomorrow so I do not want to drag a bunch of meat up those hills...Any other suggestions? oh, the couple we are going out with says everything is very good. Ugh.

Hi Donna,

I want to fly cross country just to eat there!  It sounds fantastic but I can see from the prices that you would want to get your moneys worth (but that is the temptation at any sort of buffet).

Here are my suggestions-

Do your homework-plan your strategy now, as you are doing.

Try to get only items you really want to try-don’t eat what you could get at other restaurants!

Decide which meats you would be eating-for me I would pick the shrimp and salmon-but there is also the lamb
If you can’t decide-talk to your husband about sharing pieces (I have no idea whether the serve big chunks or bite size)

Decide if you are have drinks &/or Deserts.  (I think these are not part of the fixed price)

Keep your portion size small and remember your stomach is about the size of your fist.

Good Luck and let us know how great it was!

Hi Donna,

Looks yummy!  In my mind, you’ve already got some good stategies going.  When you’re at dinner, just think of that bike ride to keep yourself in check!

I’d just say to beware of the “everything’s very good” trap.  Goodness know’s I’ve been in that one before, mostly at Chinese restaurants.  Even if everything is good (and it no doubt is), that doesn’t mean you’ve got to *eat* everything!  Or, if you really do want to try everything, have very small portions: no more than a few mouthfuls to get the flavour.  The restaurant won’t mind—they’re saving money on you!

You can also try visualizing: when you’ve eaten your fill (and NOT stuffed yourself), you can look around at your dinner companions as they complain how stuffed and bloated they are, and feel glad you’re not in their position.  Or, if all your dinner companions are being good (yay!), look at the other diners in the restaurant—no doubt some of them completely stop thinking the moment they step inside.

Good luck!

Cheers,
Julie

Thanks M and Julie,

My stomach the size of a fist-that is great, and looking around is good too. I’d never thought about eating things you cannot get at other places. I appreciate the suggestions. Quality, not quantity. I’ll just keep thinking that.

Donna

Have a high protein(nuts,protein shake) snack before you leave, this way you won’t want to stuff yourself, and remember there are always doggy bags.

Here is my dinner report: I thought about what I ate and only ate what I thought was worth the calories. Actually it wasn’t that good and I doubt that we will go back. One thing I did especially enjoy was grilled pineapple with cinnamon-yum. I decided before I went that I would have 2 glasses of wine and no dessert. Well, I blew it on the wine and had three but did skip the dessert but I wasn’t weighed down on my ride today and that was nice. Thank you all for your support.

Donna

Hi Donna,

Glad to hear you had a good time.  On the one hand, bummer about the less-than-stellar food (other than the pineapple).  On the other, at least it didn’t make you too tempted!

Good jobon the bike ride!

Cheers,
Julie