Two things are a given when a new bar opens up in Leblon’s famous gastro-strip Rua Dias Ferreira. One, that it will be rammed to the rafters for the first week, the local jetset determined to sample the newest addition to their foodie paradise and two, that the service will be awful. Q lives up to type.

Squeezing into the bars list by virtue of the order of its menu and the concept behind it, Q is nevertheless as much about the food as it is the drinks. Well, almost. The well-considered gimmick at work goes by the name 'Gastrobar', which means the cocktails are fancy and the food contemporary, snacky, and designed to be the perfect accompaniment to the main event, rather than the other way around.

There is little doubt at whom they are aiming their perfectly-designed little menus. Cocktails start at a cool R$21 for classics up to R$27 for house specials like the Jungle (Pear Absolut with watermelon, lime, banana syrup and cucumber) and Rock Collins (R$25) where rocket is added to Tom’s classic recipe. The décor is less inventive, with ‘interesting’ touches like thirty lampshades crammed onto the ceiling, but it does add up to a fine drinking experience, even if the team behind making them could do with a bit of a chivvy.

The food, which is really rather fine, may play second fiddle but the mini-burgers drizzled in white truffle paste (R$29) are perfectly-cooked nibbles to head up the light bites along with a fancy take on the classic street food queijo coalho, Brazil's take on halloumi (with added tomato chutney pizzazz), or for the bigger appetites the duck confit (R$67) should fit the (hefty) bill.

Inaugurated at the end of 2011, a gourmet 'executive' lunch (R$29), in the great tradition of Rio restaurants, serves up a very reasonably priced three courses. Options range from tuna tartare, squid salad or bacalhau brandade starters, and the selection of six mains includes risotto and stew.