On a well-manicured shopping street in central Ipanema, four short blocks from the beach, this impeccable Brazilian steakhouse is a magnet for celebrity diners and highbrow carnivores. Known for its distinguished patrons and prized kitchen, the dining room features wall-to-wall photographs of semi-famous patrons and the bewildered Hollywood celebrity inundated by flashbulbs. The dark-paneled main room features tightly arranged wood tables with leather-cushioned club chairs surrounded by picture windows overlooking the surrounding neighborhood. The restaurant is surprisingly formal given the more casual nature of Rio, especially Ipanema. Patrons should expect a dress code of long pants and sleeved shirts in the evening, with slightly more liberal requirements for afternoon lunch.
The Food
A prompt waiter welcomes diners with a two-handed selection of complimentary appetizers including warm breads, artisan cheeses and traditional yucca flour. The menu features Brazilian steakhouse specialties and hearty appetizers perfect for sharing. Meals begin with market fresh salads as well as small-plate seafood specialties like grilled octopus and calamari or jumbo shrimp cocktail. If you're a vegetarian you're probably in the wrong place, as main courses are a meaty symphony of kilo-sized fillets, porterhouses and double T-bones. Meats are presented on a signature iron grill, seared to perfection and normally on the rare side of medium. Desserts are a more predictable presentation of house cakes, ice creams and baked goods.
Last Word
Skip the reservation and just show up before 9pm. Don't be afraid to try the appetizer buffet that's well-stocked with Brazilian specialties you normally wouldn't order off the menu.
