Within the recently renovated Fogo de Chão in Beverly Hills, California, stands a 16-foot bas-relief rendition of the nearly 60-year-old monument O Laçador.
The rendition is a nod to the gaucho monument constructed in Porto Alegre, Brazil, the home of the original Fogo de Chão location. Now with dozens of locations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Brazil, and Mexico, the brand has always remained mindful of its roots whenever it has expanded beyond the first location, which opened in 1979.
The newly renovated Beverly Hills flagship has touches that pay homage to the original location while also offering guests updated features and fixtures throughout the restaurant. Building on the concept that opened 12 years ago, the restaurant now has an expanded bar that includes an imported white Carrara marble bar, a new Market Table made with the same type of marble, an outdoor patio, a living greenery wall, new exterior signage, and the O Laçador rendition.
“As tastes evolved, we recognized Beverly Hills would be a perfect place to introduce our new design concept and ideas,” says CEO Larry Johnson. “We wanted to ensure that the atmosphere would be warm and contemporary yet timeless—meant to really enhance the guests’ experience.”
The restaurant removed darker wood blinds, revealing floor-to-ceiling windows that let the natural light bathe the setting.
“It reminds me more of our restaurants in Rio de Janeiro. Anywhere a guest sits, they will have a wonderful vantage point of the Fogo experience and the restaurant’s new, interesting design elements,” Johnson says. “Some of the other enhancements include new lighting, an expanded Bar Fogo area, and an exposed, lofted ceiling that creates an overall lighter, brighter atmos-phere.”
To complement the new design, Fogo de Chão in Beverly Hills offers a variety of dining options in addition to its core menu of protein selections and the Market Table and Feijoada Bar.
At the new bar, guests can experience the restaurant more casually through a menu of small, shareable plates, craft cocktails, wines, and happy hour specials.
Seafood options like shrimp cocktail and a seafood tower are offered à la carte, and the restaurant also offers a Brazilian brunch for weekend guests.
“We are already hearing excellent feedback from new and loyal guests,” Johnson says. “The natural light and sophisticated setting provide the perfect backdrop for our cuisine.”
In addition to the Beverly Hills location, Fogo de Chão also renovated restaurants in Atlanta, Houston, and Addison, Texas. The company has plans to renovate additional locations system-wide throughout this year.
