Brazilian Steakhouse Coming to Easton

A new Brazilian steakhouse is coming to Easton.

Batuque should open within a month or so in the former Phoenicia space on Northampton Street, according to Howard Lieberman, a business consultant working with the owners.

He was before Easton City Council Wednesday night asking for a liquor license for the building at 154 Northampton St. Lieberman said the owners -- husband and wife Antonio and Ana DeMattos and Joho Roquetti -- hope to take advantage of Easton's restaurant scene.

“It seems like every week they’re opening a new one, and we want to be part of that," he told council.

Council seemed enthusiastic about the idea, and approved the request.

"I’m excited because it’s a different restaurant," Mayor Sal Panto said, noting that he'd been to the city's two newest restaurants this weekend -- Mesa and Two Rivers Brewing -- "and I'm seeing people I've never seen downtown before."

Lieberman said that Batuque can operate as a BYOB restaurant at first until its license comes in.

Antonio DeMattos had worked with Rios Brazilian Steakhouse in Nazareth, but sold his interest in the restaurant years ago, Lieberman said. DeMattos and Batuque's other owners are affiliated with Made in Brazil in Allentown.