I was staying at a local hotel in Ipanema and my concierge recommended this place for a premium steak house. When I first arrived I was a bit put off by the staff. No smile, no friendly greeting - instead a face that said "did you walk into the right place?". As I asked the host & server about the menu, they somewhat ignored my questions and brushed me off with their chins high to the sky. As if I couldn't afford the place and I was wasting their time or they didn't want my business. Let me state, I was dressed somewhat casual in shorts, t-shirt and sneakers, but heck - I was on vacation in Rio alone!
Luckily the meal I had to follow made up for the snotty staff I had encountered. I asked the server for his recommendation on the house's most popular steak... I went with the Picanha Bordon per his recommendation and few sides. The sides were good, but not worth the price. $R 48 for grilled heart of palm? Again, tasty but that's a bit steep. The steak on the other hand is a top 3 contender for the best steak I've ever had in my life. And that's a statement coming from a carnivore who eats steak several times a week and has dined at many supreme steak houses around the Americas. The steak was so good that my mouth is watering as I write this review. The entree was $R 139 and worth every penny.
After a few great caipirinhas, salad, an entree, sides and gratuity my bill came to around $R 300. Pricey, but that steak... so worth it! read more