AG Steakhouse, occupying the space that used to be Cozymel’s Mexican Grill in Westbury, opened its doors last week with a grand opening celebration.
“After 20 years opening [other] Brazilian steakhouses, I decided to venture forth and begin my own,” Long Phu, owner of AG Steakhouse, said. “Without the confines dictated by a corporation, I hope to offer an experience that embraces traditional Brazilian rodízio with a local modern twist.”
AG Steakhouse preserves the rich tradition of Brazilian Churrasco with an edgy twist, all while embracing the classic concept of rodízio dining. They offer an immersive culinary experience that celebrates the heritage of Gaucho-style cooking, known for its mastery of open-flame grilling and expertly seasoned meats.
At AG Steakhouse, the modern twist on Churrasco fuses traditional techniques with contemporary flavors and presentation. They make it a point to source the finest cuts of meat, marinating them with a blend of herbs and spices and then grilled to perfection over an open flame, imparting that irresistible char and smoky flavor.
AG Steakhouse is a gorgeous and elevated dining experience founded by Phu, along with other business partners. The interior has been completely renovated, with beautiful modern fixtures, and crisp and clean lines, giving an overall welcoming and warm vibe.
“Using local vendors and catering to the palette of Long Island with seasonal salad items and unique cuts of meat throughout the year,” Phu said. “Most importantly, I want to actively partner with the local charities to support and give hope to the less fortunate.”
The AG Rodízio ($68) is the full rotational meats experience, along with the unlimited market table (salad bar). The rodízio choices include chicken, pork ribs, pork sausage, lamb chops, lamb sirloin, caramelized pineapple, garlic steak, bacon-wrapped steak, bottom sirloin, filet mignon, ribeye and top sirloin. Guests can opt for simply the market table ($34) as a standalone choice. The menu has several a la carte entrée offerings also including seafood and steak plates. Brunch is offered on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.
AG Steakhouse kicked off its first deeply charitable partnering with six local charities (Angela’s House, Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center, Island Harvest, Olivia Hope Foundation, The Nassau County Police Department Foundation and The Safe Center) to hold a give-back from a portion of all sales during its opening weekend (July 12 through 14).
For guests not looking for a formal sit-down meal, AG Steakhouse has a bar menu with diverse offerings, catering to everyone’s needs (vegetarians, pescatarians and vegans are welcome and will be thrilled with the options).
The bar has also been stocked with traditional Brazilian spirits like Cachaça to create favorites like a caipirinha, and drinks have also been curated to give an American twist (a caipirinha made with vodka). Guests can enjoy wines that were hand-selected to pair perfectly with the meat, fish and other entrees.
For those wondering, yes, there is a difference between Brazilian- and Argentinian-style cooking. Brazilian steakhouses, known as churrascarias such as AG Steakhouse, offer a rodízio-style dining experience where servers continuously bring a variety of skewered meats directly to the table. This all-you-can-eat service includes beef, lamb, pork, and chicken, typically seasoned with simple spices and cooked over open flames.
Argentine steakhouses, called parrillas, emphasize high-quality cuts of beef like ribeye, short ribs, and tenderloin, cooked on a traditional grill called a parrilla. The meats are often seasoned with minimal spices, allowing the natural flavors to shine, and are commonly served with chimichurri sauce. While both focus on meat, Brazilian steakhouses highlight the variety and continuous service.
AG Steakhouse is open daily for dinner and has a brunch service on the weekends. The restaurant has a main dining area as well as bar seating and boasts multiple spaces for guests to host private events or large dinners.
AG Steakhouse is located at 1177 Corporate Dr. in Westbury. Visit www.agsteak.com or call 516-758-1000 for reservations and more information.
