At age 17, after dropping out of school, André Mifano went to wash dishes in the restaurant of a friend of his mother. It was the first time he had stepped into a professional kitchen, and it was from that day on that he realized he had found a place where he finally fit.
Mifano dove in head-on: he even worked in some restaurants and got a scholarship to study at the The blue cordon from London. Back and with a diploma in hand, he was unemployed for about six months after landing in Brazil. During this period, he received a proposal from a friend to work in San Francisco, US USA – “The Golden City”, as the Americans call it -, which completely changed his life.
It was with this experience that, until October 2020, he ran the praised Lilu, his signature cuisine restaurant. It had to close its doors due to the pandemic and the strong real estate speculation in Pinheiros, but in the same year, it took over as host of the program of Anthony Bourdain and CNN Brasil, O Unknown places.
Now, there goes 26 years of career and one more restaurant to count: his new Donna, Italian in the Gardens. Away from the kitchens and away from the cameras, the chef also frequents other addresses around the city and shares his favorite restaurants in São Paulo. Check out:
Ton Hoi
The house in the Butantã neighborhood is considered one of the best Chinese cuisine in the city. From the great kitchen come numerous traditional dishes of the Asian country, such as sliced beef with bamboo shoots, thin soy noodles with ground beef and boneless pork ribs with eggplant, thausi and pepper.
the yakissoba of the Ton Hoi also worthy of praise: fried noodles with ham, chicken, chard, cilantro, garlic and chives – also in shrimp, chopsuey and vegetarian versions. With red tablecloths on the tables, the room was recently reopened after being idle for months, in which the restaurant only operated for take-aways and take-aways due to the pandemic.
Avenue Prof. Francisco Morato, 1484 – Butantã, São Paulo. Telephone: (11) 3721-3268. WhatsApp: (11) 96309-0880. It works with a Drive-thru Take-away system.
Bicol – Korean Cuisine
Another Asian cuisine that I recommend and really like in the capital is the Bicol. Occupying a modern home between Aclimação and Freedom, just a few blocks from the original headquarters, the restaurant serves traditional Korean cuisine delicacies, such as seafood pancakes (shrimp, squid and mussels) with chives as an appetizer, and burgogui for two, with fillet laminated and marinated in sweetened soy sauce that accompanies daily mini-garnishes.
But the main attraction of the place is the typical Korean barbecue, which can be prepared by customers in the center of the table, on a round grill heated by gas. Sendunshim, steak cuts of ribs for barbecue at the table, and Garbi, marinated ribs roasted on a barbecue grill, are well-placed and traditional orders among the clientele.
Rua José Getúlio, 422 – Aclimação/Liberdade, São Paulo – SP. Phone/WhatsApp: (11) 3208-4123. Delivery via iFood.
Night Tapas Bar
O Night Tapas Bar it is a great option for snacking on good Spanish cuisine. The house is captained by Catalan Oscar Bosch and the buzz is concentrated in the narrow room or on the balcony on Oscar Freire Street. The menu features delicious bites to share, such as creamy croquettes, wild potatoes and the mini steamed and fried brioche, with fried squid and mayonnaise. Among the main ones, also to share, there is octopus, paella and catch of the day.
To go with it, there’s nothing better than a cold beer or signature cocktails, such as Negroni Jerez, which includes gin, vermouth, Campari and Jerez, or sangrias, caipirinhas and even gin and tonics. The tip is to get there early: Nit even joined the list Bib Gourmand do Guia Michelin 2020.
Rua Oscar Freire, 153, Jardim Paulista, São Paulo – SP. Telephone: (11) 3539-9795.
Shin-Zushi
Sushiman Ken Mizumoto and his team serve up refined and beyond-tasting creations at the Shin-Zushi, one of the best Japanese restaurants in São Paulo, located in Paraíso. There are very fresh sushi and sashimi, as well as special combo and well-made Tirashi, with prime raw and cooked fish accommodated in a bowl over sushi rice, slices of tamago, nori seaweed, shrimp, roe and wasabi.
The interesting thing is to closely follow the sushiman’s work, that’s why I sit at the counter: from there, we can see his skill with fish and rice, in addition to tasting everything fresh.
Rua Afonso de Freitas, 169 – Paraíso, São Paulo – SP. Delivery via telephone: (11) 99609-4987 and WhatsApp: (11) 99609-4987, from Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30 am to 2 pm and from 6 pm to 9 pm.
Barbecue
When it comes to meat, the Barbecue is my indication. The chain’s best-known unit in São Paulo is Itaim, where the famous rodízio is served with more than 20 top-quality cuts, preceded by a carefully crafted couvert (with bread, pastries and sauces). The quality of good barbecue is remarkable.
Boar, fish, T-Bone and Prime-rib are part of the options, as well as the Belly Rib and the grilled termite. Headed by Jefferson Finger, the venue has a large self-service buffet with a variety of salads and other side dishes. The tip is to have lunch there calmly and enjoy the all-you-can-eat and everything it offers without haste.
Itaim Unit: Rua Doutor Renato Paes de Barros, 65 – Itaim Bibi – São Paulo – SP. Other addresses and delivery via site.
Insects
Under the command of chef Paulo Shin, O Insects is one of the pleasant surprises of São Paulo when it comes to Korean cuisine. Since 2016, the modern house has garnered praise, joining the lists of Bib Gourmand do Guia Michelin and staying between the Top 100 in Latin America from The 50 Best Restaurants.
Among the dishes, which emphasize informal home cooking, I highlight Samgiopsal (roasted pancetta, glazed with gochujang sauce), Kimchi Bokumbap (sautéed rice with kimchi with a creamy omelet) and Yukhoe (Korean tartare steak with rump kernels, cured yolk and Asian pear).
Rua Cônego Vicente Miguel Marino, 378 – Barra Funda, São Paulo – SP. Telephone: (11) 3392-7072. WhatsApp: (11) 93354-0746. Delivery via iFood.
The pan
Since 1954 in the heart of São Paulo, the The pan it is one of the classics of the city and of French cuisine. Cozy, the bistro in Largo do Arouche was founded by French immigrant couple Roger and Fortunée Henry, and the menu is famous for classic French cuisine as well as contemporary-inspired dishes.
Be sure to try the classic filet au poivre, the delicious portion of moules et frites, as well as steak tartare finished at the table. When available, haddock is also worth your while, served with poached egg and creamed spinach. Finally, the crepe suzette rounds off the typically French feast!
Largo do Arouche, 346 – Republic, São Paulo – SP. Telephone: (11) 3331-6283. Delivery via site e iFood.
Reference: CNN Brasil
