(Finally back to Yelping after 3+ years - this review is long overdue) I haven't Yelped in a while since I've been so busy with school, but this restaurant got me back to Yelping! The restaurant looks huge on the outside, even though it shares the building with other vendors. Parking was a little difficult, but complimentary valet parking was provided. As we walked into the restaurant, the receptionist/hostess was very nice and instructed us to go upstairs where we would be seated. The bar area was downstairs, while there was a slightly long staircase to go up to the main dining room. The decorations were breathtaking and amazing. I was very pleased with the decor and atmosphere of this restaurant. Since we made reservations, we were promptly seated. Our waiter was very nice and enthusiastic. As he passed out the menu and filled our water glasses, he also explained some menu items to us and took our drink orders. They had several kinds of iced tea, such as raspberry, mango, ginger peach decaf, and regular iced tea. I got the raspberry iced tea, which came in a nice bottle with the Republic of Tea brand. Our waiter gladly poured our iced tea into our drink glasses. We received complimentary plantain chips, which started off our meal very well. They went perfect with the provided sauces; the same plantain chips from Amazon Grill. For appetizers, we ordered empanadas, which came with different kinds of fillings. All of them were savory and flavorful, especially when topped with the sauces that came with the dish. Our main entrees did not take too long to come out. I ordered the 8 oz. Churrasco, which is what this restaurant is well-known and famous for. The Churrasco is a bit pricey, but after all, it IS a filet mignon steak served Churrasco style with seasonings and served with assorted vegetables and plantain. My first thoughts when I bit into this? Mmmmm! Delicious! Excellent! Moist! Delicious! Perfect! Did I say delicious? The churrasco was extremely moist and really appealed to the tastebuds. It went perfect with the assorted vegetables that were served separately. We ordered the Tres Leches for dessert and it was very milky and moist, the perfect touch to Tres Leches. We have come back a few times ever since, including at the new River Oaks location, which I highly recommend! It's an "extension" or "continuation" of this restaurant so the atmosphere is just as breathtaking. Overall an amazing restaurant and will beback!

Don't write-off Americas immediately after going in. You'll see the gaudy first-floor bar area with not-that-many people milling about. (Make a reservation or wait- it's not worth it to eat downstairs.) Then, they take you upstairs! We came for New Year's Eve, and the whole place was decked out in balloons and flowers. The ceiling is beautiful and very Gaudi (har har har) with the colors and mosaics. Everyone raves about the plantain chips that they bring you. I'm a sauce-kind-of-girl, so I actually really liked the red and green sauce and could've licked my plate for it (with or without plantain chips). One's a pesto/olive oil/garlicky type and the red one is... I have no idea. But let me tell you, this place is a real bargain. It's weird saying that for an upscale restaurant, but the food was very reasonably priced. One friend got the Churrasco steak ($25-35 depending on size), which was so tender and juicy. It looked kind of lonely though, since it only came with steak and some ball of sauce. Another friend got the pork loin (~$20). The portion was on the smaller side, and we both thought the pork was a bit dry. I got the Tallarines (~$20)- I was pleasantly surprised by how huge this dish was. It's a big lump of "pasta", which is really tortillas cut up to look like pasta, surrounded by four jumbo shrimp and four crab legs (still in shell). The crab tasted a little too chewy, but it was still a nice surprise since I didn't remember it being on the menu. The sauce was super delicious- it was rich and creamy, like gravy. Every table gets a plate of rice, veggies, and plantains as well. It's kind of awkward splitting everything, but the plantains were so good. I love cooked plantains so this made me very happy. But I'll tell you where the real deals are... the cocktails and the desserts. You can get a cocktail for $6! I don't remember seeing prices like that at any nice restaurant. Got the Ruby Smash, which was good and strong, but I remembered why I don't drink hard liquor anymore. The desserts are something like $8. I was super full and skipped out on the tres leches, although I've heard it's to die for. I saw some other tables that got it, and the piece is huge! Definitely will get it next time. My friend got the Delerio. It's a huge cylinder of chocolate. I had a bite, and the chocolate was bittersweet with layers of mousse/cream. Where else can you get away with a meal, including drinks and dessert, for under $50/person? Next time, I'll be getting the lobster corn dogs and tres leches. And if you want to skip valet, drive around the back of the restaurant (on the Americas side, not the RDG side), and for some reason, that part of the lot isn't sectioned off for valet only.

Two words: White Sangria!!! I don't want to exaggerate, but if there was no more water in the world, I would undoubtedly try to drink America's White Sangria instead! I may not last long, but at least I'd die happy! My dear friend had an event at America's. I had never been there before, although it is less than a mile from my old apartment. I chose to park my car in the downstairs garage instead of using the valet. I took the escalators straight to America's door. The place is decorated very nicely and has an upscale look. The lights are dimmed and there is some outdoor seating. Upstairs is just as nice, and I would say a little darker. The manager, pretty sure his name was Jeff, was wonderful. He was on point letting us know as soon as we got in that he was available to help with anything we needed. And indeed he was! He even helped cut the cake! I only had appetizers but they were pretty good. The plantain chips were great, but that green salsa was spectacular!! Party in my mouth!! The empanadas were good, they had beans inside, I usually have them with meat, but they tasted good nontheless. The Calamari was OK (I'm picky with calamari), the chicken was very soft and the seasoning was not too bad either. The service was on point. Our waiter (Rogelio) was great and very quick to bring me my White Sangrias. I had 2 1/2 because knowing me, I would have needed someone to drive me home had I finished that last 1/2! Overall an amazing time. I really, really liked this restaurant and cant wait to go back!!

If the scenery by Chicago architech Jordan Mozer doesn't grab you, the food will. The Machu Picchu decor creates a romantic atmosphere. For starters the house salad which includes hearts of romaine, baby greens and cheese is super yummy, I always ask for more cilantro dressing, it is that good! The Churrasco is their claim to fame, it is tender beef grilled to perfection. For desert, if you like Tres' Leches, America's is the place to go. They also have a really nice wine selection. I really enjoy the cozy booths, it creates a very intimate dining experience. The food always delivers, it is a constant 5 star presentation of quality, service and ambiance.

When I first was told that I was going for a friend's birthday dinner at Americas, I didn't know what to think. So I didn't really think about it until the day-of. Getting there, was a bit depressing really. It is in the hoity-toity mall of the past, which is barren now. So you walk around all of these deserted has-been jewelry stores, not sure what you are to find around the corner. But as you make it to their entrance, you are taken into another dimension. The place is alive and well, amongst all of the Pavilion Mall death. The decor is amazing, and I kept on looking around instead of shaking hands and greeting people. And to think, I thought the downstairs was incredible... that was until I saw the upstairs. Shiny-stone trees, beautiful blown-glass overhead lighting... it is like stepping into a different world. So now that I have bored you with the decor... let me tell you about the rest of the experience. Getting a drink at the bar was a throwback to my San Francisco days, as it cost me $8+ for a Sapphire and Tonic. Even though we made reservations for 9:30PM, we were made to wait an hour before they even seated us. Now, they compensated each of us for the wait, which actually I found unnecessary... but maybe that was because I enjoyed the company so much. Had I been with people I didn't enjoy, I might have made more of a stink about the wait. So the food... oh the food. I often avoid places like this because I find them more form than function... just all pretty plates and good looking food, but often not delicious or filling. But I had this place pegged all wrong. The food was incredibly tasty, and filling, AND really well presented. My friend doesn't like pork, but wanted to order their Cerdo (which is a Pork Tenderloin with smoked red pepper sauce and artichoke bottoms filled with goat cheese, spinach and lump crabmeat) because of the toppings. The thing is, I thought that it all would have sounded good on a thin steak. So she asked, and without question they delivered, and didn't even charge her more. I tried some, and it was incredibly delicious. I definitely recommend this place. It is a wee bit pricey for a regular night out, but if you have the desire to treat someone special, this is the perfect place to go.

The setting and architecture of Americas can best be described as imaging you're Alice and you've just taken a drip down the rabbit hole into a South American Rainforest. Upon emerging you find yourself in a strange new place and like Alice what better way to celebrate this than having a drink. Might I recommend a nice Mojito or Pisco Sour while you wait instead of Alice's more customary bottle of moonshine marked "DRINK ME" And the cake labeled "EAT ME" would be Americas amazing Tres Leches. The menu is pricey, but the times I have been the food has been great and the service has been impeccable.