Zaza Bistro Tropical Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Its all about the little touches at the Zaza Bistro Tropical, located on the corner of Rua Prudente de Morais and Joana Angelica in a pretty villa that by night is one of the city's most welcoming restaurants. Candles light the collection of tables on the outdoors terrace, whilst the few indoor tables are festooned with rich, deep colors, all waited on by friendly staff. The food is as good as the setting too, with a small but well considered menu offering delicate fusion foods, taking the best of Thai, Indian, and even Jamaican food, and giving it a Brazilian twist. The fish is invariably excellent, but if it's the cocktail menu that draws your attention, there is a middle-eastern flavored room upstairs laden with cushions for you to recline on and ease into your evening. - Doug Gray