Ambiente Brasileiro, Prague

The Brasileiro is part of the Ambiente chain of restaurants in Prague that specialises in themed dining. Situated in the old part of the town, the Slovanský dům outlet strives to reproduce authentic ‘Brazilian churrasco’. The meat here is grilled on large skewers, as hot, juicy cuts are sliced straight onto the plate by cooks-cum-waiters. As is customary in traditional ‘churrascarias’, the Brasileiro also works on an “all you can eat” principle. The meat cuts are offered right at the table, whereas diners help themselves to appetisers and side dishes at a vast buffet.

The Brasileiro, which reopened in September after restoration, is housed in the cellar of a historic building. It offers room for 220 guests on 400sqm of space which extend over two levels. The interior gives the impression of high quality in rustic style that suits the character of the restaurant. Colourful murals designed as artwork add to its Brazilian flair. The restaurant is fitted throughout with ERCO’s Optec, Pollux and Parscan LED lighting tools.

The lighting concept
The restaurant’s lighting provides the perfect illustration of creating a hierarchy of perception. Accentuating individual, clearly defined areas, the light gives the spacious interior a formal structure. It takes on the task of producing an evocative ambient backdrop in the restaurant, all the while drawing attention discreetly, yet effectively onto specific areas.
Uniform lighting above the buffet, for instance, directs the diners to the self-service section. Optec and Pollux 6W with oval flood and spot characteristic add differentiated, brilliant light for an appetising presentation of the food which, at the same time, underlines the quality and freshness of the gastronomic offer. Additionally, the exact, glare-free light in the buffet and kitchen areas ensures comfortable and precise working.

In the actual dining area, the accurately regulated light from ERCO Pollux and Optec spotlights 6W with oval characteristic concentrated on the tables achieves the level of intimacy desired for dining – a welcome effect especially in a large restaurant.
The spatial highlight of the Brasileiro is the vaulted cellar with its unusual ambiance, but it is the Parscan lens wallwashers with highly uniform washlighting that make a proper feature of the three-dimensional quality of this historic structure. The soft, indirect light at once gives the room a spacious and airy effect. The sophisticated lighting concept, as a result, sets the tone of the dynamic atmosphere for professional grilling and a festive Brazilian churrasco evening in Prague.