New Brazilian restaurant opens in downtown Myrtle Beach. It offers taste of home for owner

A Brazilian restaurant is the latest business to open its doors in downtown Myrtle Beach.

Boteco Vip Latin Bar and Cuisine has had a soft opening, with a grand opening set for Saturday. It is located at 503 Ninth Ave. N., next to Nance Plaza and part of the city’s Arts & Innovation District.

The district has been a major project for the city, which has spent millions to transform its downtown into a center for culture and commerce.

Three other food businesses have opened this year just doors down from the new restaurant — Le Manna Bread International Bakery and Café , ice cream and waffle shop Dolly Llama and upscale wine bar and cocktail lounge The Tasting Room on the 9th .

It has taken about two years for the building that houses the restaurant to be renovated, according to manager Fabiana Tomea. The building, which was deteriorating, was completely renovated by owner Jagadsonn Campos, she said.

Tomea praised the decor, which is bright and floral with exposed brick walls.

Campos, who is from Brazil, wanted to bring his culture and homemade food to Myrtle Beach, Tomea said. Both chefs are also from Brazil, Tomea said.

“He wanted to do something … (to) bring a little (of) home,” to the area, she said.

The restaurant is a fusion of Brazilian and American dishes.

It will offer grilled chicken with rice and pinto beans, yucca fries, hamburgers, and a pineapple that is cut in half and served with shrimp inside the pineapple. There are also other menu items, such as appetizers, salads and desserts.

“I heard that people said (of other restaurants) that (the food items) are all frozen and reheated,” Tomea said. “We don’t want to do that,” adding that everything is fresh.

Saturday’s grand opening will have a Brazilian musician who will perform at 9 p.m. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. It’s closed on Mondays.