Where to go in Rio de Janeiro
by Luiz Roberto Oliveira

a small guide of Jobim-related places in Rio de Janeiro

Some directions for interesting places in Rio, concerning Antonio Carlos Jobim and Brazilian Popular Music.

It's is likely that, if you are coming by air, you will land on the Tom Jobim International Airport, located at Fundão Island, Rio de Janeiro.

Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden): Jobim loved to spend some time there, among the trees, watching the birds and, sometimes trying to spot small monkeys on the treetops. In the main alley, make shure you don't miss the old plate by his favorite tree, a huge Sumauma.

Rua Vinicius de Moraes, Ipanema: this street, formerly named Montenegro Street, got famous for the Veloso Bar, at the corner of Prudente de Moraes Street. The bar is presently named "Garota de Ipanema" (The Girl from Ipanema). There, Tom Jobim and poet Vinicius de Moraes once admired the charming walk of Heloisa Eneida, who inspired the world famous song. Also at Rua Vinicius de Moraes, almost corner of Rua Barão da Torre, make shure you pay a visit to the tiny store Toca do Vinicius.

In Ipanema, go to Rua Nascimento Silva 107, where Jobim used to live in the sixties, at apartment #201. There is a plate at the entrance of the small building.

Not far from the Santos Dumont Airport, on downtown Rio, there is the Villarino Restaurant, an old and charming place where Tom and Vinicius de Moraes started their first partnership: the music for the theater play Orfeu da Conceição.

In the Leblon neighborhood, you will find the barbecue restaurant Plataforma, where Tom Jobim used to have lunch almost everyday.

In the Mistura Fina Restaurant you can listen to good Brazilian Popular Music. It is located at Epitacio Pessoa Avenue, alongside the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Rio de Janeiro. It is advisable to make reservations.