CHICO — Lili’s Brazilian Bistro is very warm and welcoming. To the right of the dining room is a comfortable lounge area in shades of blue.
The owner is also warm and inviting. Lili DaSilva was lovely and loved hearing her Brazilian accent when she visited a restaurant in downtown Chico on Friday. She is from Sao Paulo.
It’s been about half a year since the bistro opened. DaSilva had his opening soft when he opened the restaurant in June 2022. I didn’t know it existed, so I’m afraid others don’t know about it either.
“Business is going well,” says DaSilva. “I really appreciate this business.”
Her signature dish is feijoada, a black bean and pork stew served over rice with yucca flour. All of DaSilva’s recipes have been passed down through her family. She has options on her menu for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free people.
DaSilva grew up with her mom and dad taking her to farmers markets for produce. She gets all her food locally.
“I am very happy,” said DaSilva.
She has three employees and many loyal customers. She said her incoming kids would say, “Lili, I loved your food.”
DaSilva has traveled extensively and has lived in Las Vegas for some time. She’s actually homeless and couchsurfed with Chico’s friends for a few years, and after she got married and divorced, she somehow feels like Chico brought her here. DaSilva was very good friends with her late father several years before her, and she feels reincarnated as a butterfly when he visits her.
She caters for special events and hosts salsa nights on Saturdays at 9pm. Please contact the restaurant for details.
Lili’s Brazilian Bistro is located at 142 Broadway Street. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM. DaSilva will open on Sundays in the near future. The phone number is (530) 399-0675. She is currently building her website. DaSilva is on her Instagram and her Facebook under lilisbrazilianbistro.
Jennie Blevins writes a weekly business column. Send an email to jblevins@chicoer.com to submit ideas, suggestions, or ask questions.