Picanha, Brazilian Steakhouse

It turns out that the Chippewa Valley has quite the sophisticated palate when it comes to meat. From the rare to the downright unheard-of, we’ve got it all. Check out this list of some strange meats that we’ve discovered. They’re all being served nearby, so we challenge you to get out there and try some. Weird meat availability may vary!

1. The Livery

The Livery, 316 Wisconsin St., has quite an interesting lineup on the meat platter. A few weeks ago they were serving shark with a “Hurricane Sauce,” which has to give them the top spot on this list for its sheer exotic nature (even though shark isn’t currently on the menu). The Livery always have some sort of “adventurous” dish that changes every other week. In the past they have had rabbit as well, and currently they are serving a dish called Catfish Diablo.

2. Shanghai Bistro

Shanghai Bistro, 2930 Craig Road, offers peking duck, which must be ordered 24 hours in advance. So what is it doing for those 24 hours, you ask? According to an employee, they use a specific seasoning mixture which helps it to dry out. It is then kept in the fridge overnight. The next day, about one and a half hours before the reservation for the guest who requested the duck, it is put in the oven. The skin and meat are then peeled to be eaten, and servers bring it to the table with a special sauce. Then the remaining portions are made into a soup with noodles. It is only ordered once in a while, but with that much of a process, it’s gotta be some tender, delicious duck!

3. Northwoods Brewpub

Northwoods Brewpub, 3560 Oakwood Mall Drive, offers an array of northern and Scandinavian foods, but for our interests we gravitated toward the bison burger. The lean, ground bison meat works perfectly in patty form for a unique taste that makes you reconsider using beef again. And that’s not the only specialty Northwoods has: They also have a duck burger – yes, seriously – and a wide variety of fishy goodness for all your up-nort’ needs.

4. Picanha Brazilian Steakhouse

Picanha, the Brazilian Steakhouse, 5020 Keystone Crossing, offers up a delicious array of fresh meats. In the back of the restaurant there is a unique rotisserie grill called a churrascaria that turns the meat on skewers, slow roasting it over an open flame. The gauchos (servers) then bring out the different meats on the skewers to the tables. Each table setting has a flip to switch up or down to indicate whether you are up for more or are full at the moment. The gauchos then continue to offer you different types of meat until you are satisfied. Ten different items are served every night, the signature being picanha, a cut of beef popular in Brazil. Bacon-wrapped meats are also very popular, and everyone seems to like the roasted pineapple (but that’s not important for this section).