Introduction to Giuseppe Grill Leblon

When in doubt between steak or seafood in Rio de Janeiro, go for both. Giuseppe Grill Leblon, opened in 2007, has achieved twofold success with over 20 coal-grilled Argentine and Brazilian cuts and bucketfuls of fresh seafood - live, in fact - brought in daily from nearby islands.

Before opening on busy Bartolomeu Mitre in Leblon, Giuseppe Grill had already established a tradition on Rua Quitanda, in Old Downtown.

Giuseppe Grill Centro, decorated with 12-foot tall palm trees and salvaged woods, was voted for best meat in Rio by local gourmet magazine Gula.

In Leblon, the restaurant reached new shores with the catch of the day and personalized attention to the diner's preferences. Maître d’ Didi Ribeiro is so well-known in the neighborhood that he is said to be stopped on his walks along Leblon beach by clients with questions and comments.

Ambiance

Like the restaurant in central Rio, Giuseppe Grill Leblon has high ceilings, brick walls and plenty of daylight. The project by Marcelo Torres and Vicente Giffoni resorted to materials such as salvaged wood and Corten steel to create a pleasing bridge between traditional and contemporary looks.

The restaurants also share a lavish art display themed around bulls. Anna Bella Geiger, Rubens Gershman (1942-2008), Angelo de Aquino and Malu Fatorelli are among the 36 Brazilian artists who created works for Giuseppe Grill.