The outside has a nice sign board with the specials of the day, and one might easily pass over this…read moreplace if you did not know it was downstairs. The ground level is a combination beer and liquor store and CD store with a small selection of music on CDs and DVDs. Downstairs is actually quite a nice restaurant with a vast selection of wines and beers both for purchase for home or to consume at their restaurant. We tried this place for lunch and the daily special was a filet mignon with cheesy rice with a tarter sauce. The meat was tender and tasty and the cheesy rice was delicious. Also tried the ravioli stuffed with ricotta and shiitake in a tomato sauce topped with basil. The ricotta and shittake was an interesting and well-paired combination. Service was fine and prices were standard. Be aware that they bring out a bread basket as an appetizer and you will get charged for this. The bread is an ok selection, nothing impressive but the butter spread is tasty. The best part is being able to select a wine or beer to go with your meal. The beer is limited to the selection in the cooler, which is plentiful.

Rio de Janeiro's ultimate shrine to Bossa Nova, Toca do Vinicius in Ipanema is much more that a…read morebookstore or music shop: it curates the spirt of Rio's home-made music for all time. Owner Carlos Alberto Alfonso is dedicated to preserving the nuance and detail of Bossa Nova's heyday, as well as the new offerings, too. This little shop, located just a short walk from the Garota de Ipanema Bar (where Antonio Carlos Jobim supposedly penned his most-famous song) can be a small challenge to find for first-time visitors, but it is well worth the effort to walk through the door for a truly unique visit you will not soon forget.