Everyone loves good food—so it’s no secret that if a restaurant offers delicious meals, it will attract attention. But it’s the restaurants that go above and beyond this standard that are harder to find. That’s right, I’m talking about good service.

Coco Louco Brasil, the Central West End’s new Brazilian churrascaria, features exceptional food and a great atmosphere, but most importantly, wonderful people. In fact, on my most recent visit, the waitress offered my party two free desserts at the end of our meal because they were closing soon, and she didn’t want the dishes to go to waste. We were happy to be of service.

Then, just as we were about to leave the table, the owner himself joined us and treated my group to a free round of tequila shots to celebrate my friend’s 21st birthday. Needless to say, we left with smiles on our faces.

The restaurant is much more spacious than it looks from the outside. It is covered in dark wooden furniture, lending an unhurried air to the room and putting diners at ease. The dim lighting and soft Brazilian music don’t hurt either. The main dining room is flanked by panoramic windows, giving passersby an opportunity to glance in at the good life.

And what a wonderful vibe it creates. With generous servings and authentic flavors, Coco Louco is sure to please. This restaurant is not for the indecisive customer, however—the menu is extensive, to say the least. But rest assured, if you’re ever stumped about what to order, your server will be more than happy to offer expert advice, and you should certainly take it.

If you’re with a group of friends, you can’t go wrong with the appetizer combo. Although all of the appetizers are good on their own, it’s so much better to combine them—and at $14, how can you refuse? This mouthwatering platter comes with four of the most popular selections: coxinha, hot wings, fried calamari and pastel. Coxinha is a Brazilian specialty of deep fried balls of dough stuffed with deliciously flavorful chicken. Hot wings and calamari speak for themselves. And pastel is sort of like the Brazilian answer to the Indian samosa—pieces of crispy dough filled with your choice of beef, chicken or cheese.

Customers can choose from a selection of entrées, which includes such items as pan-seared tilapia, paella, and a beef filet with mushroom sauce. Or you can order from the Brazilian barbecue menu—which is truly a must. From this menu, diners can select chicken, sausage, shrimp, lamb or various cuts of steak. Your meat selection arrives at your table on one giant skewer, which the server digs into a hole in the table so that your meal is essentially propped up for all others in the dining hall to see. You also receive a plate loaded with rice, beans and vegetables to accompany your meat. The barbecue meals and entrées are $15-$19.

The menu also offers a small number of side dishes ($3-$5) including extra rice, grilled vegetables, various kinds of beans and plantains. Plantains are perhaps the greatest part of Brazilian cooking—they are like a large banana, but not quite as sweet and soft. Plantains have a thicker, meatier texture and taste best when cooked. The plantains at Coco Louco rank at the top of my list. They are sliced thick and pan-fried until they are caramelized from their natural sugars. I got an extra order to go.

With its exceptional cuisine and atmosphere, Coco Louco knows how to make a customer happy. And did I mention there is live music to top it all off? Every Friday night from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., a Samba rock group performs for the crowd—and just like everything else about this restaurant, the group is truly authentic and straight from Brazil.

Coco Louco Brasil

512 N. Euclid St.

St. Louis, MO 63108

4/5 stars