A new palace for fire-grilled Brazilian barbecue has opened in Concord.
Espetus enjoyed its first day on Dec. 22 at the Veranda, a mixed-use retail center with other restaurants like Dave & Buster’s and Golden Corral Buffet & Grill. Espetus is a homegrown operation whose first location opened in 2003 in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley, with another debuting in 2008 in San Mateo.
The specialty at Espetus – whose name means “skewers” in Portuguese – is churrasco, grilled meats (typically beef, but also chicken, sausage and the like) that are popular in Brazil and other South American countries. It’s dining and also a show, with processions of servers circling the tables with juicy cuts on display.
“In Espetus’ uniquely traditional atmosphere, a parade of meats is continuously offered and carved tableside by chefs, called ‘Gauchos’ in deference to churrasco’s cowboy beginnings on the open plains of Brazil in the 1700s,” the restaurant’s website notes. “Fourteen signature cuts of steak, pork, chicken, lamb and shrimp are grilled over 100 percent natural mesquite-charcoal open flame, giving Espetus the authentic Gaucho taste other Bay Area churrascarias are missing.”
The Concord location has yet to post a menu, but a dinner at Espetus’ other locations runs $75 and includes a dozen to 14 cuts of meat, grilled pineapple, appetizers, salads and side dishes. Children 5 and under eat for free, unless they’re in large parties, and kids ages 6-11 enjoy half-price meals.
A feature of churrascarias is often a fully loaded salad bar and buffet, and Espetus does include one, as well as a beverage menu of wine and Latin American cocktails. And of course there’s Brazil’s signature pao de queijo — that addictive cheese bread — which is served throughout the meal.
Details: Open noon-9 p.m. daily at 2025 Diamond Blvd., Suite F100, Concord; espetus.com
The Mercury News
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