NORWALK — Ipanema Restaurant opened in Manhattan on 46th Street over 40 years ago. Business was strong for Portuguese and Brazilian fusion restaurant, until the coronavirus pandemic hit.
So on Dec. 9, Ipanema crossed the island to Connecticut and opened the doors of its new home in Norwalk at 70 North Main St. The eatery occupies the former location of The Spread, which moved to Washington Street this past summer.
“When coronavirus hit back in March and we had to shut down, we noticed that it was going to be a long-time downturn for the city and we started thinking of our next moves,” Ipanema owner Victor Pedro, 31, said this week.
After reopening Ipanema in New York City briefly on June 8, Pedro, a Westport resident, decided on Norwalk for the new location.
“The rent negotiations with our landlord didn’t really go as planned, so we agreed to a mutual break of the lease in Manhattan and I recommended Norwalk to my dad,” Pedro said. “It fit our vibe and our brand more than other places.”
While Pedro does hope to return Ipanema to New York City, he plans to maintain the Norwalk location.
“We have every intention to go back to the city, but there is no timeline for returning,” Pedro said.
In New York, Ipanema was known for its “bitoque,” a Portuguese dish of steak with an egg on top, served atop fries with a garlic and butter beer sauce, Pedro said.
The family owned restaurant was founded by Victor Pedro’s father, Alfredo Pedro, 67, in 1979. Alfredo was born in Portugal and moved to Queens at 13. After a brief career as an engineer at IBM, Alfredo decided to become his own boss and founded Ipanema.
Five years ago, Victor took over operations, but the business remains split between the two. Since the transfer of power, Alfredo now spends about 10 months of the year in his home country of Portugal, Victor said.
“We’re an authentic representation of Brazilian and Portuguese food, and that’s something we would never sacrifice, the authenticity and quality, for anything,” Victor said.
Until the pandemic broke out and forced the Manhattan location to close, Victor was commuting from his home in Westport to New York, spending about 50 hours a week at work despite the distance. With the new location 10 minutes from home, Victor said he plans to be even more hands-on with the restaurant.
“It’s like I gained all that time I spent on Metro-North back,” he said.
Victor said the restaurant staff has been using the lack of business caused by the coronavirus pandemic to refine their dishes. Since opening earlier this month, business has been slow, but the takeout orders have helped, he said.
He is hoping the spring and summer will lead to an increase in business and allow the business to make important connections with the Norwalk communnity.
Ipanema is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 3:30 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.
abigail.brone@hearstmediact.com
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