FOGO DE CHÃO MAKES NEW YORK DEBUT ON DECEMBER 19th

MCC welcomes new Friends Partner Fogo de Chão!

Fogo de Chão
40 West 53rd Street
NYC
212-969-9980
http://www.fogo.com

Internationally-Renowned Southern Brazilian Steakhouse Opens First Big Apple Location, Their Largest Outpost in the World, in Midtown Manhattan

Start spreading the news – Fogo de Chão has arrived in New York! The award-winning churrascaria – Brazilian steakhouse – which first opened in Porto Alegre, Brazil 35 years ago– will open in the heart of Midtown Manhattan on Thursday, December 19th on West 53rd Street (lunch begins Monday, December 23). At 16,000 square feet, this is the largest Fogo de Chão in the world. The New York location will stand as a flagship among their locations in iconic cities like Beverly Hills, Washington DC, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The Big Apple’s first Fogo de Chão is a short walk from Times Square and just steps away from MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art. This prime location makes Fogo de Chão the ideal dining spot for locals, tourists, and dignitaries alike. The $16+ million dollar, three-level design of this expansive restaurant seats more than 300 guests and includes two bars -- one on the main level and a mezzanine bar overlooking the restaurant. For the first time, Fogo de Chão will offer a separate bar menu exclusively for the New York location.

“The Manhattan opening of Fogo de Chão is a major milestone in our 35-year history, on par with our arrival to the United States from Brazil in 1997” says Fogo de Chão Chief Executive Officer Larry Johnson. “This has been a long time coming and we’re thrilled to have found the ideal location to introduce New Yorkers to our Brazilian culinary traditions.”

The first Fogo de Chão location featuring designs by renowned architect Jeffrey Beers, the restaurant reflects Beers’ inspiration of the “classic gaucho” way of life, a South American cowboy who sleeps under the expansive skyline of stars and prepares his meals on an open fire. With experience living and working in Brazil, Beers shares a particular affinity for Brazilian culture and design. Upon entering the restaurant, guests can immediately sense the authentic gaucho spirit of Fogo de Chão. They are greeted by a 17-foot-high, bas-relief sculpture of Antônio Caringi’s famous Brazilian sculpture, O Lacador (The Lassoer), also a historical monument in Porto Alegre, Brazil. A striking multi-level Escher-esque stairway with glass railings leads guests between the restaurant’s three levels and a wooden ribbed proscenium wraps across the ceiling with alabaster lights throughout. Once at the top level, an oversized braided leather chandelier commands center stage in the mezzanine bar along with a curved ‘overlook’ with a drink ledge where guests can enjoy a cocktail while gazing down on the street level bar and main dining room, 40 feet below. The restaurant also features private and semi-private dining areas to accommodate special events.

Brazil is home to some of the best food in the world, and now Fogo de Chão is giving New Yorkers the opportunity to experience the authenticity of Brazilian culture and food. The restaurant’s unique dining experience is based on the centuries-old gaucho tradition known as churrasco, the art of roasting meats over an open fire. The story behind Fogo de Chão began while its founders were young boys growing up in Southern Brazil. Through the years they learned how to grill the meats the gaucho way from their fathers, and soon took charge of a culinary tradition that was passed down generation to generation for over three centuries.

Fogo de Chão specializes in espeto corrido, or “continuous service,” where a team of Brazilian-trained gaucho chefs, led by Head Gaucho Chef Ezequiel Manfrin, prepare, cook and carve tableside 16 different cuts of beef, lamb, chicken and pork. Guests decide both the pace and the portions of their dining experience by using a small, double-sided disc that signals to the gaucho chefs that they are ready for additional service. Placing the green side up signals to gauchos to continue presenting meats to the table and placing the red side up signals that one is satisfied – at least until they are ready to begin sampling the meats again!

While meats are at the forefront, the restaurant also features a gourmet salad and sides bar with more than 30 selections, including gluten-free offerings. Options include fresh vegetables, cured meats, warm Brazilian cheese bread, imported cheeses, caramelized bananas and crispy polenta. To complement the dining experience, Fogo de Chão boasts an impressive, award-winning 200-label wine list, as well as an array of South American-inspired cocktails, many of which change seasonally. The decadent dessert menu features their signature, house-made Papaya Cream with fresh papaya, vanilla ice cream and Crème de Cassis liqueur, South American Flan, Crème Brûlée and much more.

About Fogo de Chão
Fogo de Chão® Churrascaria - Brazilian Steakhouse was founded in 1979 in Porto Alegre, Brazil and expanded into the U.S. in 1997. There are currently 21 locations throughout the United States and nine locations in Brazil with the recent November 2013 opening in the Jardins neighborhood of São Paulo. San Jose, California to follow in 2014.


For more information, please visit www.fogo.com.