Brazilian Steakhouse Coming to Easton

The former owner of a Brazilian steakhouse in Nazareth plans to bring that cuisine 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.