“COME hungry, leave happy.”

That’s the tagline at one Southampton restaurant. And as much as I hate to be persuaded by clever marketing, in this case it’s true.

Casa Brasil Westquay is the fifth and newest branch of Southampton-based couple David and Regina Hall’s South American- inspired eatery.

The Botley couple - who are British and Portuguese - realised there were no Southampton restaurants specialising in meat.

Casa Brasil brings one of Brazil’s best-loved food traditions to the south coast. The rodizio is a particular kind of all-you-can-eat-buffet.

Based on the gaucho - or cowboy - custom of spit-roasting beef on campfires across the plains of South America, meat is grilled over charcoal and brought to your table by a friendly passador.

‘Chefe do grill’ Luis Matta offers 14 cuts of meat, from chicken to pork with a parmesan crust of course the fine cuts of Brazilian beef - sirloin, rump and ribs.

And for the true meat fans, whole skewer-lengths of tiny chicken hearts.

When you’ve had enough turn your card over to say ‘stop feeding me!’ The buffet bar is part of the all you can eat price too and includes feijoada - traditional black bean stew made with pork sausage as well as sweet potato, fried banana, and crispy ‘pasteis’ filled with chicken meat or veg.

Pao de queijo is a must try - delicious cassava flour cheese puffs.

Somehow after two trips to the buffet and enough meat to feed a family, I managed to fit in a thick and creamy passion fruit mousse for dessert The beers are Brazilian and Portuguese and there is also a wide range of red white and rose wine. If you’re after the true Brazilian drinking experience, go for the nation’s favourite cocktail - the caipirinha.

It’s refreshing and tangy, with a base made from sugar cane rum, crushed ice, sugar and lime.

The food is great and authentic.

The staff are relaxed but professional and it’s worth noting that David and Regina knew they would be their USP - Brazilian people skills are second to none. I almost felt like I’d made a new set of friends by the time I left.

The weekend prices might be a little steep, but the atmosphere is fun and colourful, and there are deals on the website with 20 per cent off throughout January.

The view from the full length windows onto Southampton’s revealed old city walls is great too.