Dining in Sao Paolo: Where to Eat

Tuju: This gorgeous restaurant has an urban garden, an open kitchen and a comfortable dining room, along with some of the friendliest staff in town. The food is modern and seasonal, with a focus on local ingredients. We kicked off with fragrant house-made bread and butter, followed by a deeply memorable cold peanut soup. Sao Paolo is hot and heady in the summer (our winter) and the cold peanut soup is simultaneously creamy and cold and refreshing.

A few pieces of local melon add a touch a sweetness, and local mild chilies bring just a hint of heat. It was the best soup I have ever had. Other highlights included a tomato pie; a Brazilian cheese plate; parcels of eggplant smothered foam with springs of dill; and eggplant marinated in a Brazilian nut sauce. Tuju offers both lunch and dinner tasting menus, or you can dine a la carte.

D.O.M.: This was one of the most glorious dining experiences of my life. From the impeccable service to the quality of the food, it was divine. To see Alex Atala cooking in a glass-walled kitchen just a few feet from where we were sitting was truly surreal. The tasting menu is the only option; it features about 20 courses and takes three hours… so get comfortable!

We sampled everything from priprioca (a root with a woodsy vanilla type flavor) sorbet; black rice cooked with local veggies and silky Brazilian nut milk; the creamiest aligot (potatoes whipped with cheese) I have ever had; banana and lime ravioli and so much more. It is clear why this restaurant is on the World’s 50 best restaurant list; food, service, and wine are unparalleled.

Mani: This charming spot is cozy and lovely, a must when dining in Sao Paolo. This unique restaurant is housed in a former private home. We were lucky enough to snag a spot on the cute outdoor patio in the back. You can choose a tasting menu or dine a la carte; we elected to eat a la carte. After munching on huge, freshly made tapioca crackers we began our meal with tiny “bonbons” little spheres of bread crowned with dollops of glistening guacamole.

Next, we sampled crispy pan-fried quinoa cakes infused with curry and topped with celery marmalade. For my entrée, I enjoyed a stunning beetroot risotto, drizzled with white truffle oil. As for dessert, the creativity was marvelous; from black sesame seed ice cream to lychee sorbet to sweet eggplant to arrowroot cookies. You will want to try them all and you should! The dining experience at Mani was truly delightful.

What to Do in Sao Paolo

Although it doesn’t have the same kinds of historical sites as Rio, there are plenty of afternoon activities to pass the time in between each decadent meal.

Shopping on Rue Oscar Freire: Sao Paolo is known for its shopping culture, which becomes evident as soon as you step onto Rue Oscar. It has every high-end boutique I have heard of and plenty that I haven’t heard of! We mostly window shopped, although I did find a cute shoe store with colorful flip-flops that I bought for my sister and my mom. The street is also lined with cafes, so you can stop often for a snack. The best plan is to grab a patio spot, order a French press, and spend your afternoon while people watching.

Visit the Municipal Market of Sao Paolo: We jumped into an uber to get to this massive market, which is one of the most well-known food markets in the world. It is in a run-down part of town, which was interesting to compare to the opulent Vila Madalena and Jardins neighborhoods where all the fine dining options are. The market itself is great; you can peruse the aisles for hours and find all kinds of hidden treasures; fruits and salsas and olive oils and spices. There are plenty of restaurants and spots to sit and grab a beer (which we did!) when you get tired.

Where to Stay

Hotel Fasano Sao Paolo: It’s fancy and pricey, but its pretty damn cool. The Fasano has huge rooms, rain shower bathrooms, and sophisticated spa, and best of all a jazz bar where you can have a nightcap before you hit the sack.

Sao Paolo: The Verdict

Rio is essential, but considering Sao Paolo is only an hour away by flight it is also a required stop for any foodie. Dining in Sao Paolo is a must in your Brazilian adventure.

The post Traveler Eats: Dining in Sao Paolo appeared first on The Dining Traveler.

Takorean at Union Market

I am a big fan of food markets.  I love to admire great food on display and the people behind the booth selling their passion.  When I travel, I make it a point to check out the markets.  My favorites are Mercado San Miguel in Spain and the Markthalle in Stuttgart. Back in the US, I was excited to hear about the Union Market in DC.  With all my weekend trips, I had not been able to sample it until this weekend.  I was quite impressed with the discovery.

Sampling Cava at Mercado San Miguel with my favorite Madrilena…

After so many rainy and cold summers in Belgium, the heat and humidity in DC has been no joke to me.  Just as Brussels has no summer, Washington has no spring.  I was happy to discover an air conditioned space filled with so many yummy options.  The great part of the layout is that is is a big open space.  Although you are indoors, it gives you an airy sensation of an outdoor market.  My favorite stand so far is Takorean.  It mixes two of my favorite cuisines, Korean and Mexican surprisingly well.  I indulged in bulgogi kimchi tacos which were to die for.  I also picked up skirt steaks at Red Apron which I grilled with a whiskey dry rub from Bazaar.  I have visited Union Market twice so far and it is rapidly becoming one of my favorite places in DC.

The scene at Union Market

As much as I miss Brussels still, I am enamored with my neighborhood, Bloomingdale.  There are so many new things popping up in the neighborhood.  Although it is in the middle of the DC, it feels like a community.  No better way to see this than at the Bloomingdale Farmer’s market.  People gather early on Sunday mornings to pickup fresh bread at a mobile boulanger (love I can speak French with him), indulge in local cheese, pies, ice cream.  We also enjoy having a coffee at Big Bear Cafe and watch everything come together: the kids under the sprinklers beating the heat, hipsters buying pies, and young couples picking our herbs for their home.

Loving my Neighborhood at Bloomingdale Farmers Market

I love the concept of outdoor eating and markets.  Last summer, I spent two weeks in DC.  During the visit, I had many experiences which sold my repatriation.  One of the events was the National Barbecue Battle. My friends and I went to sample BBQ from all over the country.  It’s pure Americana: eating BBQ with a view of the Capitol.  The event returns this weekend (June 22-23) and Zinio, (a digital magazine app) will make a stop at the BBQ Battle as they participate with the Big Bite Tour.  As part of the Tour, Zinio is sponsoring Big Bite for the Cure: When someone makes a donation to Breast Cancer Research, for as little as $1, Zinio will thank them with three digital magazines for free.
Here comes the giveaway:  I’m giving away free Zinio subscriptions to the first 9 comments.  What is your favorite DC outdoor market or eating experience?  Which market should I visit next?

*Repatriation Adventures is being compensated by Zinio, Inc.

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