A Brazilian steak house is now open after taking the place of a city centre Italian eatery that closed in the autumn.

Fast-growing independent company City District Group has launched the first in its new restaurant chain Picanha in place of Zizzi’s in Newgate Street.

The group is behind casual dining brand Fazenda, which has outlets in Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds – where the company started in late 2010.

The new Picanha restaurant in Newgate Street, Chester.

Picanha says Chester can now enjoy ‘mouth-watering’ South American rodizio-style cuisine which has made Fazenda such a hit in the northern cities – all-you-can eat grilled meats served at the table for a fixed price.

The 6,000 sq ft restaurant features a smaller, less expensive menu appealing to couples, groups and families ‘looking for a quality, stylish and informal dining out experience’.

A selection of 10 prime cuts of meats are on the menu plus a salad bar offering 10 to 15 gourmet salads, with a selection of side dishes. Picanha has dining capacity for 130 covers and a bar for 30 people.

The new Picanha restaurant in Newgate Street, Chester.

The menu explains: “In Brazil, Picanha is the very best cut of meat, famed for its succulent texture and exceptional flavour. It’s from this celebrated cut of meat that we take our name. Picanha by Fazenda fuses the traditional gaúcho style grilling and rodizio dining with continuous tableside service of different prime cuts of meat, including beef, chicken, pork and lamb and a gourmet salad and sides bar to accompany your meats.”

Vegetarians, vegans and fish eaters are well catered for. And there are children’s prices.

The new Picanha restaurant in Newgate Street, Chester.

Brazilian-Argentinian Tomas Maunier, a founder-director of City District Group, said: “Our success with Fazenda shows us that South American flavours and atmosphere are really loved by a wide range of people in the UK, and we plan to roll out more Picanhas after Chester.”

The food and drink offer and ‘stylish but friendly and informal interior’ aims to thrive in the casual dining market that has been growing so rapidly in the UK.

Prices range from £15 for the lunch menu up to £25.50 for the full evening rodizio experience, with an extensive wine, beer and cocktail list.