Barthodomeu
357m
Set back down a thin alleyway from the neighbourhood's bustling main road Rua Visconde de Piraja, Market Ipanema is a rather fine respite for those looking for fresh, tasty food and juices. With plenty of outdoor seating and a colorful interior, this lively little restaurant is a good choice for a healthy breakfast or lunch (and of course brunch) with friends.
Priding itself on fresh ingredients, novel combinations, and cooked-to-perfection meat and fish, the menu fills the healthy-but-tasty niche that Rio restaurants seem so often to miss out on. Unlike many of its contemporaries, Market also offers an extensive number of vegetarian options, making use of protein-rich ingredients such as quinoa and lentils and plenty of delicious Brazilian veg.
For starters or light fare, the ceviche (R$22) or couscous with grilled shrimp (R$30) are sure bets, although the smoked salmon sandwich (R$22) was spoiled by the frugal amount of filling. Noteworthy main courses are the tilapia fish cooked with ginger and spring onion and served up with oriental vegetables (R$30), the baby beef cooked to perfection served with a mustard and red wine sauce, with a side of carmelized onions, mushrooms, and herbs (R$40), or for vegetarians, the red quinoa risotto (R$27). Whatever you choose, don’t miss out on the scrumptious sides such as pureed pumpkin, creamed spinach, or the lime risotto.
It would be remiss not to try one of Market’s freshly made juices, too, or if the mood strikes you their innovative take on caipirinhas - the Longo 5 (R$18), made with vodka, strawberries, passionfruit, lichees, and basil is not to be missed. The sheer quantity of fruit in the cocktails can also allow a little deluded self-congratulation that you are keeping things healthy.
The ambiance is the perfect mix of chic and laidback, but the service can irritatingly lean towards the latter too, making for some frustrating waits. In spite of this, Market is an excellent choice for beach-goers, girls about town and those just in search of a fresh meal.
Walter, We have edited your comment slightly to avoid anything too close to the bone being published, but you raise an important point with regard to cover charges in restaurants here. The 'couvert' is in fact a charge for bread, olives etc that should be optional but is often provided without request and the charge only made clear on the bill. A 'couvert artistico' is added on to a bill when there is live music, usually between R$10-$20 but varies from place to place, and should ALWAYS be made clear upon entry.
Posted on Fri 24 Feb 2012 09:30:58
My wife and I took a meal for R$232. When examining the check, the first entry was a charge of R$4 per person for "Couvert," which was the first time I had ever seen a charge for entry to a restaurant. I speak a little French and was pretty sure the word was for a cover charge. When I asked the waiter to explain, my Portuguese is minimal, he called over the owner, Paula, and I asked her if we could speak in English. Then I asked why there was a cover charge, as there was no live entertainment, and we had a large bill. I was giving the staff the benefit of the doubt and thought maybe its lost in the translation; "what is the meaning of 'couvert?'" She said there was no direct translation, and that it was a charge for the bread. I apologized, paid the bill, tipped the waiter outside the norm because we kept him late, and returned to the hotel and used Google Translator for the word. "Couvert" is a direct translation to cover charge. I was going to recommend this restaurant for my business affairs now that my assignment has me living in Rio. Now Paula has cost her business, and her investors, thousands of R$ in business because of R$8 and the fact when asked outright, she lied to my face. Charging a cover to eat at a restaurant might explain why the place was empty except for us.
Posted on Tue 21 Feb 2012 21:29:45