I went to a very nice Italian restaraunt in Ipanema named Grottamare, Rua Gomes Carneiro, 132, Tele 523-1696 - www.grottamare.com.br Very good seafood - I had a fish that was cooked in a parchament bag - excellent. Got there around 8:30pm and the place was still empty; it didn't start to fill up until about the time that we were done. The locals eat late around here.

It is located around the corner from Centaurus.

Dinner for 2 was 100 reais (no wine). One of the best meals that I've personally eaten this year.

I want to try that restaurant again as fish is cooked to perfection, add excellent salad and beautiful dessert. Locals who go there dress sharp but you can go in shorts. For 50R without wine, you will get fine dining after a Centaurus run, not bad, located 100 yards from it. On their card, tel is 2522-1596.

Grottamare is out of business :-(