Headed down to Rio for the first time from April 7-11. I will be staying down in Ipanema at the Everest Park (sister to Everest Rio) Hotel.

Does anyone have any restaurant suggestions, inexpensive to splurge, in Ipanema or outside?

Side question: anyone have any comments/experiences with the Everest Park or Rio? I researched hotels and the Park had good location & reviews and I can use the amenities of the more deluxe Rio for free. It is US$101/night + 5% tax. It seems that even less deluxe hotels don't get much cheaper than US$80-85 per night plus taxes in Rio unless you want to do hostel type accomodation.