LAReview
photo credit: Elaine Lee
M Grill
M Grill is an AYCE Brazilian steakhouse in Koreatown where, at some point during your meal, you'll start saying 'yes' to every slab of beef that comes your way because it all looks too good to turn down. The moment you flip your dual-colored drink coaster to its green side, the wait staff starts carving. Suddenly, spits of top sirloin, ribs, garlic chicken, and picanha appear tableside, and the meat keeps coming until you flip the coaster to red.
Dinner at M Grill goes for $70 per person, which, while not exactly cheap, is a great deal for what you're getting. And while it's certainly not the only AYCE barbecue option in Koreatown, the excellent spit-roasted meats and Brazilian sides here are a nice switch-up from the countless KBBQ options in the neighborhood.
Located directly above a beauty salon on Wilshire Blvd, M Grill is much larger than it looks from the outside. This massive space has tall ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a beautiful granite bar serving a robust wine selection (the list is roughly the size of a long children's book). The white tablecloth dining room is usually filled with a mix of families with kids and dates getting to know each other over endless beef.
Eighteen different meat options—from lamb chops to filet mignon—parade out of the kitchen, with each cut of steak served medium rare and seasoned with the right touch of salt. The house specialty picanha is a must-order, but the top sirloin, salty linguiça sausage, and the great feijoada served from the salad bar should all make it onto your plate, too. The rest of the salad bar is a mish-mash of charcuterie and cold salads that you don't need to fill up, but we strongly recommend ordering one of the bar's top-notch caipirinhas with your meal. Depending on your budget (and your appetite), M Grill is a great spot for a nice weeknight dinner that's a little more upscale, or a special occasion spot that's on the casual side. Either way, come prepared for a tsunami of meat.
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Food Rundown
Picanha
Everyone likes their beef a certain way, but this picanha really has something for everyone. This cut is juicy, perfectly medium rare in the center, and has the ideal amount of fat on its cap that adds flavor to each bite.
Linguiça
The way the casing of this salty sausage snaps when you take a bite is incredibly satisfying. Though it might be humbler than other meat options here, we'll never pass on it when the waiter brings it around.
Beef Ribs
Unfortunately, these beef ribs, while nicely seasoned, were very dry. It felt like we were gnawing into a leather car seat. Skip.
Lamb Chops
These lamb chops were juicy and pleasantly not gamey, so no complaints here. We'll take three more.
Feijoada
This well-seasoned pot of Brazilian-style stew comes with big chunks of linguiça and beef inside (yes, more meat). Combine it with fluffy white rice, collard greens, and salty farofa—made from toasted cassava flour—and you'll have a beautiful, balanced plate to complete your barbecue experience.
Caipirinha
The caipirinhas at M Grill are tart, sweet, and refreshing. They also don't skimp on the cachaça, so be warned.