The city restaurant is already preparing to expand down the M62
Arvin and Peggy, bartender and waitress at Chico Brazil in Liverpool
The owner of a city centre restaurant has issued a bold statement as he prepares to expand his empire. Mohammad Tha, living in Aigburth, is the brains behind Fogo Brazil on Bold Street and, more recently, Chico Brazil on Hanover Street.
The 40-year-old opened his latest Brazilian bar and grill only a few months ago, but is already confident in taking a prestigious title in the city. The latest site is similar in concept to Fogo, allowing guests to enjoy bottomless meat dishes presented by the chefs at their table.
Despite being hidden up the side street between Premier Inn and Tesco in the city centre, the venue is hard to miss with an upstairs mezzanine, acting as a private function area, and with capacity for 140 guests.
Mohammad, a former University of Liverpool student told the ECHO how the business has been faring since opening. The entrepreneur said: “It’s been open for three months, and it has been alright. We are starting to pick up; it’s busier than ever.
Chico Brazil in Liverpool
“The service is amazing, and no other restaurant in the city can beat us at the moment. That’s what keeps customers coming. Chico Brazil is basically an upgraded version of Fogo Brazil. Fogo is known for its service and quality food, but Chico is one step above. Hanover Street was missing something like us.
“I worked in a restaurant myself in Liverpool, but wanted to open my own. I loved working in hospitality in the city. It’s such a nice place with friendly people, it’s really good.”
The restaurant features chandeliers and woven ceiling panels, an illuminated bar and chef station, and cream leather chairs. For a cohesive setting, the majority of Chico Brazil’s design and furnishing incorporates a wooden finish.
Bartender Arvin in Chico Brazil in Liverpool
The menu includes all-you-can-eat prime cuts, ribs, and BBQ chicken, alongside seafood such as salmon and king prawns. There are also vegetarian and vegan options. Mohammad said he is currently in the middle of opening a new store in Manchester as part of the brand.
Fogo Brazil has been a feature of Bold Street’s food scene since 2019, when it replaced Uncle Sam’s, the well-known city restaurant which closed after nearly 40 years in business. Mohammad, a mathematics graduate, made the bold statement as a new restaurant plans to open around the corner from Chico Brazil.
Chico Brazil steakhouse on Hanover Street in Liverpool. (Image: Liverpool ECHO)
A planning application was submitted to Liverpool City Council for the ground and first floors of the former Ellis Brigham store on Bold Street to be turned into a restaurant, and the upper floors into a five-bed apartment.
The plans were submitted by Pegah Dara on behalf of the licensed restaurant business Rodizio Rhythm Ltd. Documents submitted to the local authority include proposed changes to the front of the building, which appear to show the name of the planned new restaurant: Coco Brazil Rodizio Bar & Grill.
Rodizio refers to a type of all-you-can-eat service in Brazilian restaurants. Outside of Brazil, it is often used to refer to a Brazilian-style steakhouse restaurant where customers pay a fixed price.
Traditional restaurants (known as churrascarias) see waiters constantly replenishing customers’ plates with skewers of meat. A number of rodizio restaurants enjoy a thriving business in Liverpool, including Fazenda in Exchange Flags, Copacabana in Queen Square, and Bem Brasil on Hanover Street.
Ellis Brigham operated on Bold Street for 60 years
Plans submitted by Wroot Design Ltd show a two-floor restaurant, with space for 52 customers on the ground floor and 26 on the first. Both floors will contain a kitchen, bar, salad bar/preparation area and a grill area.
A design and access statement said: “The intention of this proposal is to create a two-storey restaurant along with access to a five-bed apartment on the upper floors. Externally, new doors to the front and rear of the property to allow separate apartment access and a fire escape. New signage for the restaurant on the Bold Street elevation is also proposed.
“The main entrance to both the restaurant and the apartment is located on the Bold Street elevation. Exterior alterations will be sympathetic to the surrounding area. The material of the proposed doors will be painted timber.”