Folie – São Paulo

Picturesque Folie is a neighborhood gem in Pinheiros. Besides being as cozy as your grandma’s old house, seriously  it has the best  macarons (both traditional and exotic flavors), an unbelievably creamy brigadeiro ice cream, a respectful frozen yogurt and some tasteful chocolate and cookies. A must go and must try. Sit back on the balcony,  pretend you are in the countryside, relax and delight yourself with some of the best sweets in town.

Folie

Rua Cristiano Viana, 295

Pinheiros, São Paulo

www.unefolie.com.br/

The NoMad - NYC

Daniel Humm: Eleven Madison Park's renowned chef presents you The NoMad, one of the coolest best new restaurants of New York City. A real must go if you want to keep on track with what NYC has to offer in its best and align critics picks with hot spots.

The dark, cozy restaurant is inside the stylish Nomad Hotel, located at the Flatiron District, or NoMad (for "North of Madison Square Park"). It is close to the Breslin and its famous lamb burger, which proves that this region, once tasteless, is becoming trendier and a reference to foodies.

Photo from Grubstreet

Featured on Platt's Where to Eat in 2014 and as one of NY Mag's ten new best restaurants of 2013, where else would you have been able to choose between tagliatelle or risotto with butter, parmesan and white truffles at cost: "reasonable" or "ridiculous". I gladly went for "ridiculous" and hope to get the next truffle season.

Service is impeccable. The brussels sprouts salad is great to share as a light starter. There is a fabulous whole-roasted chicken for two. Finally, to end in great style, try top dessert Milk & Honey, but be prepared to taste real fresh, strong, farm milk - and like it.

The NoMad
1170 Broadway & 28th Street

Manhattan, New York, NY

http://www.thenomadhotel.com/#/dining

Feirinha Gastronômica at Praça Benedito Calixto

An efficient way to prove as many Brazilian (and not so Brazilian) delicacies as possible is by visiting the Gastronomic Fair, or Feirinha Gastronômica, at Praça Benedito Calixto, taking place every Sunday afternoon.

Praça Benedito Calixto, famous for hosting a pleasant antiques / flea market on Saturdays, turns into a gastronomic pole on Sundays by bringing together many excellent chefs and food and beverage small businesses, working more as artisans.

You can find from hibiscus ice cream to an authentic acarajé, from blueberry macarons to gourmet hot dogs, from macaxeira to churros. But the trophy goes to the fresh sweets prepared by Chef Lucas Corazza, currently presenting, among others, an impeccable blue ribbon, Boston style, cheesecake.

Updated information can be found on the Feirinha's page on Facebook. Precious tips: (i) don't be impressed by the huge lines (they move fast), (ii) bring cash as most tents don't accept debit or credit cards and (iii) share the food, so that you are able to prove as much as possible. After that, you can walk around the Praça and the beautiful little shops surrounding the Pinheiros neighbourhood.

Feirinha Gastronômica
Praça Benedito Calixto, 85

Pinheiros São Paulo

http://feirinhagastronomica.com.br/

Tappo Tratoria

Tappo is in my opinion the best trattoria I have tried in town, and one could expect no less from the Italian house of Chef Benny Novak (among Ici Bistro, Ici Brasserie and 210 Diner), specially after Novak wisely decided to invite young and experienced Italian Chef Rodolfo de Santis to run the house.

Rodolfo is a formidable, complete chef. Instead of choosing anything from the menu (not that you would regret it), consider going for one of the day specials. If you are lucky enough to occupy one of the restaurant's 28 seats, trust him and de Santi will know how to delight and surprise you. 

The reduced size makes the bistro-style trattoria even cosier and more special. Reservations accepted.

Tappo Trattoria
Rua da Consolação, 2967
Jardins, São Paulo
www.tappo.com.br/

Trattoria Fasano

The new house of Grupo Fasano is defnitely worth the visit, but be prepared to spend US$ 80 on lunch - and that if you don't drink wine.

Yet, a Fasano meal is always worth it, specially in a little less pretentious environment facing the beautiful fountains of Pátio Malzoni, as well as the Bandeirante historic house below this grand business building.

Try the excellent Carbonara or the traditional Cacio Pepe, finalizing with the creamy Tiramisu - you can't go wrong with that.

Trattoria
Rua Iguatemi S/N (between Rua Joaquim Floriano and Av. Horácio Lafer, attached to Pátio Malzoni building)
Itaim, São Paulo
http://www.fasano.com.br/gastronomia/restaurante/38

Chez Burger

For those who were missing one of the best burgers in town, Chez Burger is back, and better than ever. Who needs an actual venue if you can sell on a street truck attached to Bar Secreto, who needs different types of burgers if the Secreto Burger is just perfect, and who needs to offer more than one dessert if your choice is brigadeiro de colher?

This is the recipe, take it or leave it. And you'd better take it, for your own pleasure - Wednesday to Saturday, from 7pm to 4am.

Chez Burger
Rua Gunha Gago, 620
Pinheiros, São Paulo
http://chezburger.com.br/

Arola Vintetres

The fact that Catalan starred chef Sergi Arola has a restaurant in São Paulo is a proof that the city is a gastronomy center to watch and experience. Arola selected the rooftop of the Tivoli Hotel in São Paulo, with breathtaking views of Avenida Paulista, to headquarter his culinary mecca around here.

Chef Fernando Coradazzi locally runs the house with mastery. An interesting way to experience as much delicacies and inventions as possible - including Arola's unmistakable patatas bravas - is ordering the Tapeo, which includes a fine selection of nine tapas and dessert. Seriously, the dessert we were offered - a cold Bolacha Maria mousse topped with citric ice cream - is one of the best and freshest desserts my wife and I have ever tasted. 

An attentive sommelier is there to pair your degustation of tapas in the best fashion, always with a smile on her face - even if you chose the most cost/benefit wines. Absolutely an excellent, complete restaurant to visit with friends, on business or for a special occasion with your beloved one.

Arola Vintetres
Alameda Santos, 1437
Jardins, São Paulo

http://www.arolavintetres.com.br/