HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – Less than a week after launching its first Birmingham location, Dallas-based Texas de Brazil says it plans to open a second Alabama restaurant at Bridge Street Town Centre in Huntsville.

Bridge Street marketing manager Van Geroux said the Brazilian steakhouse chain will occupy the former Tavern at Bridge Street, which has been vacant since the Tavern's abrupt closure in September. The high-traffic space near Monaco Pictures was also home to SmokeHouse until it shut down in 2011.

Heather Lovett, a spokeswoman for Texas de Brazil, said the new 8,100-square-foot location in Huntsville will be similar to the location in Birmingham and will hold approximately 250 customers. Lovett said there is no timetable yet on when the restaurant will open.

The 7,200-square-foot Birmingham location, which accommodates 230 guests, has an open-view grill, bar and lounge area and wine cellar. A selection of 16 different grilled meats cooked over an open flame of charcoal rather than gas are available for order.

An AL.com article last week said dinner prices at the Birmingham location range from $24.99 to $42.99 without beverages or desserts. Click here for the full menu.

Texas de Brazil, a family-owned and operated chain founded in 1998, said it is one of the top U.S. Brazilian steakhouses, which are also known as Churrascarias. The company has 28 U.S. locations and three international restaurants.

In addition to the new location in Huntsville, Texas de Brazil also has planned openings in New York, Ohio, Florida, Louisiana, Virginia, Oklahoma, Washington, D.C., and in Dubai, Mexico City and Seoul.

Construction began last week on the new BRAVO! Cucina Italiana retail building, which will open this fall. The 6,700-square-foot eatery will occupy Bridge Street's south side near DSW in the Belk expansion area.

Michael Kors, a luxury clothing and accessories retailer, opened its doors at Bridge Street last month, while PANDORA is preparing for a grand opening in late April, Geroux said.

Send Lucy Berry an email at lberry@al.com.