He spent part of his childhood in São Paulo, and his West Town restaurant, open since February 2024, is built on what he remembers from it: coastal flavors, warm pão de queijo and picanha dripping over an open fire. Manion already had a following from La Sirena Clandestina and El Che, plus a Jean Banchet Award, and Brasero is the most fully realized version of his live-fire style. Everything runs through the flame. The 12 oz Westholme Wagyu picanha comes with chimichurri and vinagrete, and the 22 oz dry-aged bone-in ribeye gets mushroom au poivre. There's whole grilled branzino and a Brazilian moqueca made with Akahoshi ramen noodles from down the street, and the pão de queijo comes with blackberry-serrano jam and Catupiry cheese.
The bar pours caipirinhas and coconut batidas, and the wine list leans South American, with 100 bottles under $100. For the full experience, order the Leap of Faith: tell the kitchen $90 or $115 a head and let them cook. For the smart-money version, sit at the bar from 5 to 7pm, or all night on Sundays, when grilled oysters are $3, head-on prawns $5 and crispy papas $8, alongside $11 sangria and $13 caipirinhas. It's open Tuesday through Sunday from 5pm. Walk-ins are welcome, and reservations are on OpenTable.
No photos yet — be the first to add one.
Have a photo from a recent visit? — customers and business owners both welcome.
Know about a deal here that's not listed? Add it below — we'll verify and publish it.
to suggest a special.
Think Brasero deserves Iconic/Notable or Super Gem status? Tell us why.
to nominate a gem.
Every restaurant, dive, diner, bakery, and beef stand that made its way onto the show — plus an interactive map of every stop.
The Chicago Specials Score: member votes plus our own editorial judgment, updated as new spots earn their place.
Every real, verified Chicago event worth planning around — browse month by month, from this weekend to next summer.
Chicago
