Do you know what “churrasco” is?  Churrasco is the centuries-old Brazilian way of roasting meats over pits of open fire.  The “gauchos” (Brazilian cowboys) always prepared their food this way for festive occasions and family gatherings.

Brazilian steakhouses that prepare all-you-can-eat churrasco meals have been growing in popularity in the United States for some time now.  In fact, we have one right here, about 5 minutes away from here at Westmont at Chesterfield.  If you haven’t been to Bacana Brazil (16123 Chesterfield Parkway West) yet – and you love your meat cooked over an open fire – they you should make plans to check them out.

It’s pretty cool how they serve the meat too.  First, you grab your side dishes from the gourmet salad bar.  Then whey you sit down at your table, you turn a little card up, signaling the chefs to bring their dozen-or-so  fire roasted meats to your table for carving.  When you are done, you flip the disc back over until you are ready for more.  If only all restaurants operated like this!

Student Appreciation Day
Enjoy their churrasco dinner on Tuesdays for only $19.95 with valid student I.D.

Sushi Sunday
Every Sunday they offer sushi during dinner hours from 5pm to 9pm for no extra cost.

For more information,  call them at (636) 532 6969 or visit their website.  Need directions?  Here you go…

1. Head southeast on Westmeade Dr toward Clubhouse Cove
2. Turn left at Justus Post Rd (0.4 mi)
3. Turn right at Chestfield Pkwy S (0.1 mi)
4. Make a U-turn at Fontaine Dr and Bacana Brasil will be on the right

(Photo Credit: imagensporfavor)

This has undoubtedly been one of the hottest summers in Chesterfield in a long time.  According to weather reports, it doesn’t look like the heat is going anywhere anytime soon.  It might rain this weekend, but it will definitely be a scorcher.  If you can beat the rain, this will a great opportunity to take dip in the Westmont at Chesterfield swimming pool.

If you’re anything like me, the last thing you want to do in this hot weather is cook something in the oven.  Why add to the heat?  My tip for the day: make sure you have food available that’s microwavable.

Speaking of which, did you know that there is a wrong way and a right way to clean out a microwave oven.  Apparently you’re not supposed to use certain cleaners for the inside.  Check out this video to learn the correct way to do it…

The Runaways

Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning star as Joan Jett and Cherie Currie in the music-fueled coming of age story of the groundbreaking, all-girl rock band, THE RUNAWAYS. They fall under the Svengali-like influence of rock impresario Kim Fowley (Michael Shannon, Pearl Harbor), who turns the rebellious Southern California kids into a rock group with outrageous success. With its tough-chick image and raw talent, the band quickly earns a name for itself and so do its two leads: Joan is the band’s pure rock n’ roll heart, while Cherie, with her Bowie-Bardot looks, is the sex kitten. Rated R.

Joan Jett…need I say more.  This one should be good.  I’m hoping I can get to see it this weekend.  The closest Redbox kiosks to Westmont at Chesterfield are at McDonald’s (1701 Clarkson Rd) and Dierberg’s (1730 Clarkson Rd).

At 54-43, the defending National League Champion St. Louis Cardinals still have a one-game lead over the Cincinatti Reds in the National League Central Division.  That’s something to be proud of.  We’re actually not to far off from leading the entire league.  We lost the first in the three-game series against the Chicago Cubs today, so hopefully we can take the rest of the games this weekend.  We need the wins if we want to rise to the top like I know we can.

Since I can’t be there to cheer them on, I’m planning on making some Chili Dog Casserole to eat while I sit comfortably in front of my flat-screen television here at Westmont and watch the games on FOX (Saturday at noon) and ESPN (Sunday at 7:00 p.m.).  Here’s the recipe.  Hey, it’s the next best thing to being at the ball park.  Try it out!

Ingredients:

• 8 hot dog buns
• 8 hot dogs
• 1 (15 ounce) can chili 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Tear up the hot dog buns and arrange the pieces in the bottom of the dish evenly. Slice the hot dogs into bite size pieces and layer the pieces over the buns.
3. Pour the chili over the hot dogs, sprinkle with the chopped onion, then spread some mustard over the chili and the onion. Top off with the cheese.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.

(Photo Credit: ChubbaGurl)

I thought this movie looked cool.  It’s all about dream control.  Did you know that being able to control your dreams is a specialized skill that can actually be acquired through special training?  Don’t go signing up yet though.  It is EXTREMELY difficult.  Less than 100,000 peoplie in the U.S. are believed to be able to have lucid dreams that can be controlled.  Interesting, huh?  I thought so too!

Anyway, check out Inception.  It’s about dream control too.  The trailer is right here for you to have a sneak peek.  It just hit theatres this weekend.  Here are movie times for AMC Chesterfield 14, Wehrenberg Chesterfield Galaxy 14 and AMC Creve Coeur 12.

Unless you just returned from a monastary (or a nunery) somewhere on the remote countryside, you’re probably already familiar with St. Louis’s hottest afterwork wind down event, Westport Plaza’s Party in the Plaza.

If you did in fact just arrive and you need the low-down, Party in the Plaza is like an after work street party that goes down on the third Thursday of every month.   People are able to walk freely around the village with food and drinks while listening to two great live bands between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.  They’ve been going strong for several month now this season.

Including this week, there are three events left in the 2010 series.  Here are the musical lineups…

Thursday, July 15: FatPocket, Dave and Greg Show Band
Thursday, August 19: King Pin and Boone Project Duo
Thurday, September 16: SLAM and Rich Mahagony

It’s really a nice event to go to after work.  Pretty much all of the establishments in the Plaza take part, including Casa Gallardo, IceKitchen, Pujols 5, Trainwreck Saloon and Westport Pizza Co.  For more info, call 314.576.7100 or “like” the event’s Facebook page.  Westport Plaza is not too far from Westmont at Chesterfield if you’re leaving from home.

(Photo Credit: Westport Plaza)

Looking for something fun to do with the kids, or even just a good time for you and your friends.  How about Westport Plaza’s Free Movie Night?  What’s more fun than that?  This Tuesday, July 13, from 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m., they will be showing the movie “Monsters vs. Aliens”.  All you have to do is bring your own lawn chairs and blankets and you and your crew can sit under the stars and watch the show.

This is really a great, fun summer night for kids.  There will be free popcorn and cotton candy along with a face painter and a balloon twister who will be creating balloon sculptures up to one-hour prior to showtime!

If you’ve never been to one of the Westport Plaza free movies before, the screen is located in the village next to Casa Gallardo.  If the rain hits, the movie moves inside the mall.  Need more details, call 314.576.7100.

Westport Plaza is only a short drive from Westmont at Chesterfield.  Just take the 340 (Olive Blvd.) to Ross Ave., or 64 East to 270 North.

Who knows what kind of whacky stuff you'll have to find!

How would you like to be a part of the biggest scavenger hunt to ever hit St. Louis?  Not only can you be a part of it, but you can help out a great cause in doing so.  On Saturday, July 24, a special events company called City Hunts will be holding one of their increaingly popular city-wide hunts to benefit The Sherwood Forrest Camp for economically disadvantaged children.

Here’s kinda how it works: on the day of the event, different hunt teams meet up at 10:30 a.m. at the Sons of Rest Shelter in Tower Grove Park.  They will then have 3-hours to obtain as many items on the given list as possible.  The cost of the hunt is $22 per person, however the winning team will walk away with $100.00, 1st place medals and City Hunts T’s!  To boot, there will also be a “post-hunt” party sponsored by Natural Light beer.

Sound like fun?  Check out their website for more info and to register.  They also have their own Facebook group for you to join and stay in the loop for events.

(Photo Credit: City Hunts)

One of the obvious advantages of living in a major city, such as St. Louis, is that there is always something to do.  There are always different types of events, from sports events, to professional events, to cultural events.  There are always tons of great restaurants to eat at, no matter what your flavor may be (or what you’d like to try.  And there are always great artists coming to your city to perform.

Next weekend, after wrapping up Fair St. Louis 2010, the Riverfront will pick up the LIVE on the Levee concert series - a free summer festival featuring live music, U. S. Bank fireworks, AmerenUE/Schnucks K-Town Kids Zone and other activities.  The concerts run from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and each night culminates with a huge fireworks display.  Check out the upcoming performers to see if there is someone you’d like to check out…

• July 9: Common (opening act: DJ Needles)
• July 10: Slightly Stoopid (opening act: Fundamental Elements)
• July 17: Clint Black (opening act: The Johnny Henry Band)

Catch the fireworks this weekend!

Fourth of July without fireworks is like ham without cheese, cereal without milk, ice cream with hot fudge – you get the idea.  It’s just un-American.  With that being said, I’m here to make sure that you know where to go this weekend to celebrate the 234th birthday of our great country!  Luckily, there is a really great, free concert going on in St. Louis this wekend at the Riverfront. 

• On Saturday, July 3, R&B crooner John Legend will be in town to perform on the Budweiser Main Stage for the Fair St. Louis Festival at the St. Louis Riverfront.  His show starts at 8:00 p.m.  Earlier in the day, there will be a two hour airshow for all to watch, as well as Kids Zone and other activities.
• On Sunday, July 4, legendary band the B-52’s take the stage at 8:00 p.m., as well as tween act Jordan Pruitt who will perform at 1:00 p.m.  Again, the day will be filled with air shows and activities for all.

And the best part (for me at least) is that each evening concludes with the star-spangled US Bank fireworks display at approximately 9:15 p.m.  Hope you can make it!