Located on Hidalgo north of downtown at the corner of Libertad is a steakhouse named Brasa Viva (Live Embers). The restaurant opened in 2017 and has a very cool industrial design with seating both on a main level and in an upper level. There is a covered area in the back of the restaurant. To the right of the entry door is a long bar followed by a mural on the wall depicting aspects of the restaurant’s theme. As we were the first people to arrive (the restaurant opened at 6:00 pm and we got there at 5:50), the host gave us our choice of tables.

Pepe, our server brought a small block with a QR code to scan to access the menu for the restaurant. Online, the menu was about 12 screens, not counting the drink menus. The menu offered a number of different empanadas, salads, appetizers like melted cheese and stuffed mushrooms, skewers, steaks and sausages, pizza and pasta, as well as stuffed baked potatoes, salmon and chicken dishes. Pepe brought us a basket of fresh bread with a chimichurri sauce and a chili sauce to add to the bread. We started with appetizers. Beth and Dianne each ordered an empanada (arrachera and mushroom, respectively) and Bill chose the melted cheese with chorizo that was served with fresh bread. The empanadas were large and the ladies loved them. Bill devoured the melted cheese and sausage.

For main courses, selections came from all different parts of the menu. Beth ordered the arrachera skewers – there were three served with French fries as a side. Each skewer had three large pieces of steak along with red and green peppers. The portion was large enough that most of two of the skewers went home with her. Dianne chose a baked potato with arrachera on top. Again, the portion was very large, the steak cooked to perfection – and lots went home with her. Bill decided to try the Fetruccine Alfredo and added grilled chicken. The pasta had bacon and mushrooms on top and was very good. Given my diet, I decided to go with the half order of arrachera cooked medium rare and a side of grilled vegetables. The steak came with a salad and was prepared perfectly (and looked larger than the 200 grams on the menu). The side of grilled vegetables was very large and included zucchini, mushrooms, red and green peppers, and onions with balsamic vinegar on top. My portion was big enough to take both steak and grilled vegetables home for another meal.

You would think that everyone would be stuffed. BUT, the other three ordered dessert. Chocolate truffles for Beth, a baked apple empanada with ice cream for Dianne, and Oreo Cheesecake for Bill. They ate them with smiles on their faces.

The experience at Brasa Viva was excellent – great food, prepared to perfection with good presentation, excellent service and a nice atmosphere.