When Roland Villard took control of the Sofitel's restaurant, the master of French cuisine immediately propelled Le Pré Catelán head and shoulders above the other hotel restaurants in the city. Maintaining a strict eye on what goes on inside and outside the kitchen is important when the ten-dish tasting menu costs R$290, but the trilogy-themed a la carte starters (R$72-$85) make it all worthwhile, especially the shell fish version; lobster ravioli with bisque, crispy shrimp with ginger and langoustine tartar with tomato and mango. Continuing the theme there are three dining rooms (one red, one black and one outdoors) decked out in a contemporary French style that's as tasteful as the food is tasty. The view out along Copacabana beach will also make you purr contendedly in between mouthfuls.