Bringing the tastes of Brazil to NEPA

SCRANTON — Ipanema Grille is a rarity in Northeast Pennsylvania. A Brazilian steakhouse is highly unusual for this region, but the family restaurant has been in business for nearly 20 years. Clearly, they’re doing something right.

Douglas Linhares, along with his father and brother, have experience in the hospitality industry. Initially, the family moved to Miami from Brazil in 2000, but they eventually made their way up to Scranton.

Ipanema Grille has been around since 2008, though its current look and feel are rather new.

Last year, the restaurant closed down for renovations from June to December. Upon opening back up, everything from the facade to the tables were new. The fresh appearance serves as a strong match for the restaurant’s overall vibe.

“When customers come here, they come for a good time,” Linhares said. “They come, usually, with big groups. They socialize. It’s fun. It’s outgoing.”

The menu of Ipanema is anchored by the Brazilian dining standard rodizio — which includes an all-you-can-eat array of steak options — as well as the Boardwalk bar. The bar features a number of supplements to the steak, such as rice, fried bananas, soups and more.

Alcoholic beverage options include sangria, wine by the glass or bottle, and caipirinha, the national drink of Brazil.

The staff at Ipanema Grille take pride in their work, and customers have a great amount of freedom in determining the pace of the service they receive. Each table comes equipped with a “flipper,” which indicates when a customer is ready for their next round of food.

This is the kind of dedication that makes the cruise from the Wyoming Valley to the City of Scranton feel like a breeze for those interested in Ipanema’s culinary delights.

“Ninety-nine percent, you’re going to have an amazing time,” Linhares said of the dining experience at Ipanema Grille. “You’re going to see that that drive is nothing. I have people that come two hours to come here.”

When negative reviews do occur, the leadership team does everything they can to correct the mistake.

“We talk to our staff, we try to remember who the person [is], and try to see what went wrong so that doesn’t happen again,” Linhares explained.

One of the more unique flairs of Ipanema Grille — and Douglas Linhares’ mindset — is their appreciation of the surrounding area and their fellow restaurants. They are located relatively close to the Viewmont Mall and multiple interstate highways. And as far as the restaurants are concerned, Linhares was quick to pick out some of his favorites. The nearby eateries of Casa Bella, Samario’s and Stirna’s Restaurant were top of mind.

“It’s nice, it’s bright, it’s safe. As you look around, I think we are one of the best corners of Scranton to be,” Linhares said. “And what I say to people sometimes: this corner should be known as ‘the restaurant corner.’”

In a show of unity with the other spots in the restaurant corner, Linhares is happy to celebrate everything the Scranton food scene has to offer.

“Usually I don’t see any restaurant as competition, I just see them as another great place to go,” Linhares explained. “Especially if they do well, I have no problem telling them if they’re good.”