Ronald`s Guide to getting Fat & Poor in Sao Paulo
Jean Georges Sao Paulo
Uber chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is here since May 10th 2017! No need to fly all the way to the Big Apple to wine & dine like an internet billionaire. The SP restaurant has opened in the middle of a severe political & economic crisis which makes it even more ostentatious to be seen there. This is the Upper East side French restaurant which was name dropped in Sex and the City when Carrie swooned upon discovering that Mr Big did not need a reservation to be seated there.. and this is where Trump had his tête-à-tête with Mitt Romney to dangle a position in the administration.. gotcha!! I have not been to the Brazilian version `as yet`. $$$$$
Tête a Tête
The guys from D.OM. (which does not make my list.. sorry) have opened their own restaurant. Its amazing but unpretentious!! Their forte is their tasting menu but you have to arrive hungry since in my humble opinion, it`s really too much food. They need to reduce portions as per Daniel`s in NYC. I would consider this to be the best of the best in Brazil. World classics with a Brazilian touch. $$$$
Manioca
Tucked behind a book store ( www.livrariacultura.com.br) in Shopping Iguatemi is this hidden gem. It`s kind of associated (long story) with Mani (top 50 in the world), but its much more economical. Excellent bang for your buck. Many items are shared between the restaurants. The menu is a fusion of Brazilian and contemporary cuisine. The wait times (like MOMA) can test your patience.. but since it`s in a mall, you can walk around whilst you wait. Everything is superb. Best to go early during the week for your first visit.$$$
Fogo de Chao
http://www.fogodechao.com.br/location/vila-olimpia
First stop for any gringo colleague in Sao Paulo. Relatively small selection but extremely high quality of meats. Excellent black pudding.. but you have to ask for it. There are lower priced option if you just want the salad bar, fish, chicken or limited meat options. My personal favorite is the one on Bandeirantes. Their creme de papaya is world class. $$$$
Cafe Naga
Great Jappas come and go… but Naga located on Rua Bandeira Paulista 385 São Paulo — SP is anti-fragile. There are 3 restaurants at this location, the one I am recommending is upstairs. Fairly dark restaurant. The only downside is the fact that you should not accept the waiters` suggestions for anything! They don`t mention the prices for the specials and in an already expensive restaurant, the specials are really priced crazy. Other than that.. it`s the best jappa in Sao Paulo without a doubt (but only because Sakagura A1 closed down recently.. very sad). You should park in the gas station opposite, since you can get your car a lot quicker. $$$$
Baretto
The place to be on a Saturday night in Sao Paulo. This is Fasano`s music bar. 2 live Jazz/Bossa Nova bands accompany a small but amazing Italian menu with the most impeccable service. Check out the kitchen on your way to the restrooms. A discretely placed button transforms a smokey glass pane into a clear view of the kitchen. $$$
Villa Jockey Restaurante
Now this is a place where you can really get poor!! It`s where you will find me on most Saturday afternoons Wine,fine dining, ponies and statistics all rolled in one place! Betting machines come to your table accepting both cash or credit cards. Excellent service and the possibility of paying off for your restaurant bill with your winnings (yeah right!). Limited but good menu. You can bet both on Sao Paulo & Rio races. Every 15 minutes there is a race. Check this site for race days. http://www.jockeysp.com.br/ $$$
KAA
Italian-French restaurant. One of the most beautifully decorated restaurants in Sao Paulo. Great service, good food (not very adventurous) & atmosphere. You cannot go wrong here. Great both for business & social outings. I love the seafood medley and the lamb with cous-cous. $$$
Insalata
Great place to de-tox after visiting some of the other places mentioned. It`s popular so there is a line during weekends. Super fast service though once you get seated. The casablanca salad is my favorite ( and I am not a salad person). Their caipirinhas (with Espirito Santos cachaca) is also noteworthy. You kind of have to use the valet parking since parking on the street is dicey. $$
Tre Bicchieri
Italian. Both locations are great! Reservations are necessary, even in the shopping JK branch! The guys from Gero left to start this restaurant. In my opinion it`s as good as Gero but more bang for your buck (i.e. its cheaper). They say that the owner is best friends with the owner of Varanda Grill (does not make my list), this means that the meat dishes are spectacular.. especially the lamb (needs to be shared by 2). $$$
Rancho Portugues
It`s Brazil, so yes there are awesome Portuguese restaurants. This is probably the best one in Brazil; It`s on Av Bandeirantes (near local airport). There is a cool epicurean mini-market within the restaurant. There is also a wine tasting table that allows you tasting options (what a super idea). The desserts are heavenly.. the pastel de nata is to die for. I am a Bacalhau de Braz kind of guy.. but the Octopus is superb. Very large tables widely spaced.. so good for wheeling and dealing at business lunches. Only downside is the price! $$$$$
Two other places which have the fame of being the best portuguese places but are not in my opinion are http://vejasp.abril.com.br/estabelecimento/a-bela-sintra/ and http://vejasp.abril.com.br/estabelecimento/tasca-da-esquina/
Bar Espírito Santo
Cheap and cheerful authentic Portuguese bar with super food. Always noisy and crowded. Enter here and you will think that you have travelled to Lisboa. Other than the noise level (which is part of the charm).. no downside I can think of. $$$
Taberna da Esquina
Fresh, light, airy, modern Portuguese restaurant in Itaim. Great balance of wines, dining, atmosphere and service. A tad on the pricey side, especially for the bacalaus. Other that that no other downsides I can think of. $$$
Paris 6
http://www.paris6.com.br/bistro/details/30/34/bistro-paris-6-vaudeville-%7C-24h
It`s 3.00am and you are in the mood for fine dining . Only place to go is Paris 6! It`s open 24 hours in the heart of one of Sao Paulo`s finest neighbourhood. Location is important if you are brave enough to venture out on the streets of Sao Paul at 3.00.Attracts a bohemian crowd.
Why is this French restaurant on my blog? Because it`s open 24 hours. To be honest, I would not go there if its a decent hour like 9.00 pm. This is the only restaurant which I have been to that has moved my party just because one person did not turn up. hmmm $$$
America
https://www.restauranteamerica.com.br/
Best hamburgers in town. No contest. Also if you want to order delivery, the quality is still excellent. You can also request a whole wheat bun. The mini-chocolate farofinha is the perfect dessert. Locations throughout Sao Paulo. Usually in Shopping malls. $$
Brace — in Eataly
http://vejasp.abril.com.br/estabelecimento/brace-bar-griglia/
Celebrity Chef Ligia D’Andretta Karazawa commands this restaurant. Ligia has worked in https://www.mugaritz.com/en/ which is considered as one of the world`s best restaurants. Ligia`s first stop in Brazil was the acclaimed http://www.closrestaurante.com.br/ (sorry, does not make my list)
I personally find that Eataly is a pain. The parking, the lines, the crowds, the many escalators you have to confront. Brace is worth the effort but I still try to go during a quiet period. I usually start with the salmon carpaccio and then have the octopus. If Ligia is not too busy, I`ll ask her to make a recommendation. Varied menu with spanish tendencies. $$$
Capim Santo
Rua Alameda Ministro Rocha Azevedo 471
For a city with relatively good weather, you would think that there would more restaurants set within gardens. Nope! This is one of the few (Bar das Artes was the best but it has since closed). Brazilian cuisine but served in a buffet style (usually not my thing but Capim Santos is serious about their food). Their caipirinhas are note worthy. My pet peeve is that I have been a Sao Paulo foodie for over 2 decades and restaurant chefs and managers `know` me. But every time I go to Capim Santo I am treated as if it`s my first time there. Annoying!
Their branch at the Casa da Museu is also very nice on a Sunday http://www.mcb.org.br/pt-BR/visite/restaurante/ Even less formal though, very family friendly if you have kids. For the museum branch you should consider going at 11.00 to hear the free music show (check the museum`s agenda). $$$
Le Manjue Organique
Eating is a agricultural, ecological and most importantly a political statement. This is the theme of this French/Brazilian bistro tucked away in super exclusive Nova Vila Conceicao. Always a wait, but never too bad. Their menu is original and different but in a good way. Great variations of classic caipirinhas. Pretty good vibe with a casual crowd. No downsides that I can think of. Menu is clearly labeled for dishes that are lactose free, gluten free, veggie etc. http://lemanjue.com.br/cardapio/. $$
Salvattore
This is the restaurant on Rua Salvador Cardoso, 131. Really nice decor, simple and light dishes (I usually order the liguado light). One of the few restaurants that serve Pizza at lunch (Brazilians think that Pizza at lunchtime is a wierd concept.. it`s culture). Pizza is super! Extremely close to Berrini financial district. Reservations are not usually necessary but if you do reserve ask for a sofa table. Wine is not their strong point, HiLo; High price, low Quality. Also the prices `by the glass` would make Fasano blush! Starts at R$34 per glass for house wine!!!!. During the week it`s a business crowd but on weekends its a family affair. Italian. Excellent service $$
Josephine`s Restaurant
The best thing about Josephine`s is that it`s always open! Lots of SP restaurants have crazy opening hours that vary by the day. Great service, not super pricey, attracts a crowd that likes to be seen. The restaurant is really large so waiting times are not outrageous. Super nice cars are always parked out front (for some strange reason). The lamb with cous cous is AMAZING! (But you have to make a special request for this combination). I also really like the salad as a full meal Corsica II. Using the valet is optional, since you can park in the neighborhood without fear. Contemporary cuisine. $$
La Mar Cebicheria Peruana
Whilst I am not overly captivated with Peruvian food, I like this place.. a lot! That being said I could not eat there every week. Personal taste I guess. Part of Babio Barbos`s culunary empire who is a graduate of the Cordon Bleu. So you really cannot go wrong. I have never ordered a glass of wine there since the Pisco Sours are the best I have ever tasted in LATAM and the ceviche mix as a starter is a no-brainer. Great service, reasonable lunch prices. Only downside is the valet. better to take Uber or park in a private car park close by. Takes forever to get your car. $$$
Corrientes 348
One of the best and definitely a very consistent high quality Argentine Meat restaurant in Brazil/Sao Paulo. Also very good service. Their empanadas and Apple Pancake with ice cream make me forget that I d0n`t eat starters and desserts. Lots of locations in Sao Payulo, but my favourite is the one on R. Dr. Mario Ferraz, 32. Itaim. Saturday & Sunday lunches attract a crowd that likes to be seen.. so waiting times are lengthy. $$$
Supra di Mauro Maia
RUA LEOPOLDO COUTO DE MAGALHÃES JR, 681 — ITAIM BIBI
Great Italian restaurant especially for lunch. Chef Mauro Maia enjoys meeting and greeting his customers. An innocuous entrance opens up to a large, high energy, noisy (but not too much) non nonsense place. You can be in and out in less than an hour if you stick to the executive menu and really want to be rushed. Waiters offer great service and are very flexible in making changes to the menu. Cuisine is simple but it`s light and tasty. Portions are small but I really appreciate that. And there is a gluten free pasta option. Only downside is that tables are kind of close. so you may not want to talk too much business. Lunch executive prices are very reasonable so excellent bang for your buck. $$
Nino Cucina
R. Jerônimo da Veiga, 30 — Jardim Europa, São Paulo — SP, 04536–000, Brazil www.ninocucina.com.br/
Joint has been open for about 3 years, I was late in discovering it very recently. Been there 5 times in the last month (may 2018). Good service (lots of experienced waiters), great bar service (finally a place that makes good cocktails.. not as easy as it sounds to find in Sao Paulo). My standard order is a bloody mary (or bellini), Carbonara (or Tagliata) and the piece de resistance .. the Gianduia. (I am not a dessert person… but this is to DIE for.
Downside is the loooong wait, I kid you not! Thank god for Michelle Pascal. She is one of the Maitre Ds and she does a fantastic job attending/managing the super egos of power players who are frequent diners. Also the chef is very inflexible and is not very open to changing or excluding items (go figure!). Price is about right for what you will pay in Sao Paulo for an upscale place like this. This restaurant has been awarded the title of best Italian in Sao Paulo several times, this only means that the owner is suberb in marketing. I like the place, I really do.. but to best Fasano, Tre Bicchieri and Due Cuochi is not realistic (sorry). Please go! But not if you are hungry or in a rush. $$$
List of top 50 LATAM restaurants — according to Folha de Sao Paulo (25 Oct 2017)
1.Maido Cocina Nikkei, Lima, Peru
2. Central, Lima, Peru
3. D.O.M., São Paulo, Brasil
4. Pujol, Cidade do México, México
5. Boragó, Santiago, Chile
6. Quintonil, Cidade do México, México
7. Astrid & Gastón, Lima, Peru
8. A Casa do Porco, São Paulo, Brasil
9. Maní, São Paulo, Brasil
10. Tegui, Buenos Aires, Argentina
11. Sud 777 Pedregal, Cidade do México, México
12. Osso, Lima, Peru
13. Don Julio, Buenos Aires, Argentina
14. 99, Santiago, Chile
15. La Mar, Lima, Peru
16. Lasai, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
17. Harry Sasson, Bogotá, Colômbia
18. Leo, Bogotá, Colômbia
19. El Baqueano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
20. Maito, Panamá
21. Isolina Taberna Peruana, Lima, Peru
22. La Huella, José Ignacio, Uruguai
23. Olympe, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
24. Rafael, Lima, Peru
25. Pangea, Monterrey, México
26. Chila, Buenos Aires, Argentina
27. Mocotó, São Paulo, Brasil
28. Gustu, La Paz, Bolívia
29. Nicos, Cidade do México, México
30. Malabar, Lima, Peru
31. Biko, Cidade do México, México
32. Amaranta, Toluca, México
33. Ambrosia, Santiago, Chile
34. Corazon de Tierra, Valle de Guadalupe, México
35. Rosetta, Cidade do México, México
36. Alcalde, Guadalajara, México
37. Elena, Buenos Aires, Argentina
38. Restaurante 040, Santiago, Chile
39. Maximo Bistrot Local, Cidade do México, México
40. Villanos en Bermudas, Bogotá, Colômbia
41. Esquina Mocotó, São Paulo, Brasil
42. Laja, Valle de Guadalupe, México
43. La Docena, Guadalajara, México
44. Aramburu, Buenos Aires, Argentina
45. Tuju, São Paulo, Brasil
46. Fiesta Gourmet, Lima, Peru
47. Ámaz, Lima, Peru
48. Crizia, Buenos Aires, Argentina
49. Proper, Buenos Aires, Argentina
50. Mishiguene, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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