Friday Postcard: Girl from Ipanema Restaurant

Posted in Food & Drink, Rio de Janeiro, Travel Recommendations on 02. Apr, 2010

Hi all,

I hope that you’ve had a good week. My buddy Greg is in from the US, so that means a lot of going to the beach and eating out. Last night he, Geovana, Michelli, and I went to the Garota de Ipanema (Girl from Ipanema) restaurant.

Garota de Ipanema restaurant with Greg, Geovana, and Michelli

No doubt you’ve heard the Muzak version of the song The Girl from Ipanema countless times in hotel lounges and on elevators. The song actually has an interesting history.

Back in 1958, the restaurant was known as Velloso. One afternoon composer Vinicius de Moraes was there when a lovely local 15-year-old named Heloisa walked by on her way to the beach. Inspired by her beauty and air of confidence, he wrote “The Girl Who Passes By” – supposedly on a napkin – which after some recrafting became “The Girl from Ipanema”. Initially it didn’t take off, but once it was released by Frank Sinatra, it became an international hit, the restaurant was renamed, and the rest is history.

Garota de Ipanema Restaurant

On my second or third visit to Brazil oh so many years ago, I met a girl (from Ipanema) at a party. The next day found us having lunch at the Garota de Ipanema restaurant, in Ipanema of course, when the song came on. I began to laugh. “Why are you laughing?” she wanted to know. “Because I’m here, with you, and the song is playing. ” She shook her head. Crazy gringos. It was just one of those you-had-to-be-there moments.

Last night the song didn’t play, but it was still a great evening. If you make it to Rio, be sure to stop by the Garota de Ipanema. I recommend the picanha, or steak served up on a sizzling griddle.