The Landwehr Report

Palm Beach, FL
June 28, 2009

A RESTAURANT OF EPIC PROPORTIONS

By Sheldon Landwehr

Ocala , Florida - Ipanema Brazilian Steak House is a restaurant that is well positioned in Ocala , and well designed to be both trendy and traditional.  It is attractively housed in a 130-seat woodsy arena brightened with a touch of brilliance via imposing stained glass chandlers. 

The all-you-can-eat, distinct method of  spit-roasted meats are as good as you would expect in a restaurant where the fare is the first consideration.

There are myriad types of high-end grilled meats, mostly cooked to a tender babyish pink, including a comprehensive assortment of steak -- rib eye, prime rib, crusty-edged skirt steak, a diversity of pork (some may be tough), crispy but succulent chicken legs, juicy lamb chops and garlicky sausages.  The slow-roasting, skewered cuts of  meats are prepared on the Brazilian rotisserie and over fire-pits, dispensed by experienced meat carvers with long, sharp, wooden-handled Brazilian knives.

Upon arrival diners help themselves to a select variety from the appetite-awaking buffet, contributing a broad choice of seafood innovations as well as a fleet of zestful salads.  In addition the buffet hosts soups and hot seasonal dishes.

As good as the food can be the desserts (not included in the price-fixed package) lives up to the rest of the kitchens reputation.  The menu proffers rich, good-looking choices.  Among the favorites is the creme de papaia, a sensuous flute of vanilla ice  cram clustered with dewy, fresh papaya wantonly drizzled with creme de cassis, a mouth-watering, must-have Brazilian sweet-ending.  Finish with coffee, very strong and very good.

Ipanema likewise brags about its wine inventory and bar and cocktail lounge, where diners can bide their time.  

Needless to say, the dinner menu touts the all encompassing price-fixed fare at $36.95 per person.  Seniors are charged $31.95; children 6 to 12, $11.95.  Should you choose to opt only for the buffet it's $18.95.

Ipanema Brazilian Steak House, 2023 South Pine Avenue, Ocala, Florida Phone: 352-622-1741. Lunch Monday to Friday; dinner served daily.  Accepts reservations and major credit cards. www.tastebrazil.com.

· The Landwehr Report - The Archives

• The Landwehr Report, November, 2009
• The Landwehr Report, September 16, 2009
• The Landwehr Report, August 19, 2009
• The Landwehr Report, June 28, 2009
• The Landwehr Report, April 5, 2009
• The Landwehr Report, January 27, 2009
• The Landwehr Report, January 27, 2009
• The Landwehr Report, August 27, 2008
• The Landwehr Report, August 12, 2008
• The Landwehr Report, April 23, 2008
• The Landwehr Report, July 27, 2007
• The Landwehr Report, July 12, 2007
• The Landwehr Report, June 26, 2007
• The Landwehr Report, May 22, 2007
• The Landwehr Report, April 10, 2007
• The Landwehr Report, October 24, 2006
• The Landwehr Report, September 5, 2006
• The Landwehr Report, July 18, 2006
• The Landwehr Report, July 5, 2006
• The Landwehr Report, June 13, 2006