Hi,

Does anyone know any good bars in Jardins near Rua Haddock Lobo and Oscar Fr?

Rupert

Where on Oscar Fr is it?

Is it near the tommy shop or further down?

Thanks

Rupert

I find in Sao Paolo that 6 blocks can turn a nice area into a really dodgy one!

Is it still a good area?

I liked All Black the times I went there (always for happy hour). The only problem for me is that they charge a cover charge of something like R$25 after 8:00 (? check those numbers). It's not a "consumacao" mind you, but a regular cover charge - not applicable towards anything. I'm too old to pay cover charges like that .

I hope I don't get kidnapped. I don't know if my company policy gives me kidnap insurance.  Maybe I should give AIG a call.

R$25 cover charge sounds a bit steep, so is it just for gringoes then.  What about hot girls and the footy?

Rupert

Just checked out the website... apparently the cover charge ranges from $0 on Sundays & Mondays night, to R$15/R$20 (ladies/men) Thursday-Sat. (Though I don't know... seems like every time we go there, they want to charge us a cover) My wife and I usually just go there for a beer and something to eat, and go home right after. Sometimes, if we get there around 7:00, they'll tell us "the computer puts a cover charge on your bill automatically, but if you leave before 8:00, just tell your waitress to take it off your bill..."   Of course, we're thinkin' we only came here for a light meal, but now we have to make sure and eat fast, or we'll be charged an extra R$35?

On the other hand, by just that kind of logic, it makes the place not very friendly to conservative, married couples... thus, most people there are probably well-to-do singles out to drink and have a good time. Could be a great place to meet girls (I don't know about "footy"... erm... must be somethin' else I'm too old for)?

I'm surprised this is the only bar we're talkin' about here... no one  can recommend any other bar in the Jardins?

And what are you lookin' for Rupert? What age crowd are you lookin' for? Lookin' for a loud dance club, sports bar, happy hour, or quiet pub? Etc?

The reason I don't like to go to All Black is that the guys there simply ASSUME that you (as a female, but maybe males too, I dunno) are there to turn yourself over to them... They come on too hard... I think it has got to be a puta's bar, because the guys are just too cocky. 

I've gone there with girl friends (aged 20 something) and with boyfriend.... boyfriend goes to the lounge or something and immediately guys step up... boyfriend gets p*ssed off at lack of respect... etc

Oh as long as its not a hookers bar than thats okay!

They are a bit dodgy!

I just wanna go somewhere where they have sports on, good drinks, hot girls easy convo and no hassle!

I think I will try it out tommorow for the Chelsea match but may pop down to see the man u liverpool match today.

Are there any other good places?

Where do all the hot model chicks hang out (or the stewardesses!)

I know all the airlines stay at the Renaissance so they must party somewhere.

Rupert

The football matches are always on at O'Malley's pub, which is on the corner of Rua da Consolação and Alameda Itu.

Everything there is good from the draft to the food.  There are about five different areas to hang out in, one of them with good live rock bands.  I think the cover charge is 15 reais.

I'll check it out as thats really close to me! I'll have a walk over tommorow to see if the match is on.

I saw all blacks today when i was shopping, its only a block down from my favorate hotel, the emiliana, but it looked dead!

Does anyone know of a cafe better than Santi Grao its my favorate

Rupert, from where you are, walk downhill and take a left on Rua Estados Unidos.  One block before hitting Rua Augusta, on your right, you will find a kind of padaria that caters to the upper class and where you can get a great brunch at any time.  Their wine prices are pretty good, too.  It's also an after-hours place, where you people gain their bearings after a night of clubbing.

Near you there's also  Bella Paulista (I think it's on Haddock Lobo, towards Centro, about 2 blocks from Paulista). A bit crowded, big sandwiches.  It's different from Santo Grão, it's more like a nice padaria...

For good patissere, there's Patisserrie Douce France (Al. Jaú, 554) but working hours are restricted.

Thanks for those tips!

I will pay them a visit!

So what are all of you guys doing in Brazil?  I am here on Business.  Anyone doing anything fun for carnival?  I am thinking of going to Rio

Ubatuba.  see http://www.ubatuba.com.br - www.ubatuba.com.br

I've never been to, they were reccomended by friends...

Zeibar - Av. Paulista, 2678

Metropolis (I think it's near Zeibar... Thurs are ladies' nights  )

Also Balcao, which got a review on this site at one stage. Its on the road one down from Reboucas (Dr. something Mello), no.150. Mainly a 30+ crowd, great food, and excellent decor.

Oh, and further down that street is Chakras, a rather swanky resaturant, but with a great (and somewhat hidden) back room-cum-bar of elaborate Persian decor, good music (on Tuesdays at least - don't know about other nights) and good vibe.

Fasano bar is good!

And the bar at the hotel ideal

Russell, you were looking for restaurants, the Italian one L'Osteria do Piero is excellent, one block down from O'Malleys.

REALLY good pasta

Yes.  What Italian places don't have football shirts hanging from the ceiling?

Have you seen the strange restaurant Vicco do Scugnizzo, with all the laundry hanging all over the place and out the windows too

Well yeah, I was there a zillion years ago, but restaurant-goers I know really like it.

It's on Artur de Azevedo just before it hits Henrique Schaumann, kinda under the bridge in a weird place.  It's like going to the house of a poor cousin in Naples.

I tried Chakras back in November, and enjoyed the experience. The inside of this building, after a rather unimposing entrance is vast, and interestingly designed. The place seems to be mostly restaurant, but upstairs at the back there is a club entrance - it was busy on a Friday night when I went there, and the club had a steady stream of people going both in, and out - it was early for clubbing though.

As usual, wine cost about the same as the food, (a friend insisted on buying a bottle, as she knows I am European..)

I think this was the place I had the good 'Sakerinhas', with red berries - very tasty.

I went to some really pricey places recently!

Fasano and ngayama(or something like that!)

Crazy european prices!

LOL... you were thinking everything so cheap  I thought an upgrade was in order!      I told you they were expensive though...

Fasano is considered one of the best restaurants in SP and in the world so the price is correct.

Yeh Fasano was nice!

I loved how you could look into the kitchen.

I don't think it will be a regular haunt though!  My fav is still Santo Grao!!! Does anyone know the names of the waitresses there!!!

Rupert

ps Mori Sushi's Rodisio for R$38 is really good value!  I think I got a Salmon Maki for the same money at Ngayama!

Sorry for slow reply - please see below:

Website: http://www.chakras.ws/ - http://www.chakras.ws/

Endereço: r. Dr. Melo Alves, 294 (Jardins, zona sul), tel. 0xx11/3062-8813
Horário: terça a domingo, das 12h até o último cliente
Estacionamento com manobrista: R$ 9 (a partir das 18h)
Cozinha: moderna, com inclinações francesas e ingredientes orientais
Cartões: V
Preços: entradas, R$ 22,30 a R$ 38; pratos principais, R$ 22,30 a R$ 43; sobremesas, R$ 6,50 a R$ 15,50

Have a look at http://www.ilikemusic.com/features/CHAKRAS-1436?PHPSESSID=707cecbaff78483166170a7190a151f3 - http://www.ilikemusic.com/features/CHAKRAS-1436?PHPSESSID=70 7cecbaff78483166170a7190a151f3  which gives a write-up of the place too.

I thought the food & atmosphere was good, but the wine was expensive imports from Europe - this always strikes me as a shame with so much good wine from Chile and Argentina, but I have learned that this is equally expensive to import due to taxation.

Mmmm... you're already convinced me about Mori Sushi! Are you used to Japanese cuisine?

Santo Grão is nice too!

Paddy's Day Joke

Denise - thought you might like this one. Happy Paddy's Day to all.

Paddy's pregnant sister was in a terrible car accident and went into a deep coma.
 
After being in the coma for nearly six months, she wakes up and sees
that she is no longer pregnant; frantically, she asks the doctor about
her baby.
 
The doctor replies, "Ma'am, you had twins!..... A boy and a girl.

The babies are fine now, however they were poorly at birth and had to be
christened immediately - your brother came in and named them.
 
The woman thinks to herself, "Oh suffering Jesus no, not me
brother...he's a fecking, clueless, gobshoite!" Expecting the worst, she
asks the doctor, "Well, what's my daughter's name?"
 
"Denise," says the doctor.
 
The new mother is somewhat relieved "Wow, that's a beautiful name, I
guess I was wrong about my brother....I like Denise."
 
Then she asks, "What's the boy's name?"

"Denephew "

Thanks, Linbojimbo! 

I don't know this Paddy's Day... what is it about?

Russell will you be going out wearing your rangers shirt??

I would go to a paddy bar but i'd be scared that I'd get drunk and start singing "no surrender" or offer a toast to oliver cromwell.

If you say it will be packed then I had better not risk going alone....

I have been in Dublin for it for a few years and it is crazy! Then again it's the same in New York but there are lots of Irish there.

If anyone is venturing out and fancies some company then give me a shout!

Not on short notice...

Anyone going to the paddys day street party at Al ITU at O'Malleys???

Apparently its really good and theirs a famous band called "Murthys law" playing.

Isnt it easier for a girl as you don't get Brazilian guys trying to do their graci jujitsu on you!!

Plus u don't have to outdrink anyone and you dont have to drink guiness!!!

If u fancy it u could come along

Yeah but sitting on your own drinking and not even speaking the language is difficult?!

Where is it? PM me your mobile number?

Mobile got nicked!!! (Extra tax for living in brazil!!!)

If your keen on going i can PM u my flat num.  Its in Jardins.  corner of Consalacao and Al. Itu

The company lawyer "daniel" recommended it and said he would go.  Whenever i go there its full of guys watching footy but he said tonight would be big with the band and all!

Havnt been either!

We must be the only 2 gringos in Brazil who havnt been!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone I chat to raves about it.  I think i'm going to wait till I get my bonus so I can give myself a real "bonus"!!!

I'd love to but not tonight!

Big family gathering tomorrow & Sunday!  Enjoy yourselves! 

Come on russell I am hardly a social butterfly either but thought I would keep the side up for the Brits!

Anything is better than sitting in on a friday night

Is he here.....do you know if there are any tickets left?

I would love to go?

I'd love to go to O'Malleys tonight but I just donated all the money I made this year and have only enough to eat on for the next fortnight. 

Oh, well.

Oh, Rupert, we'd probably get in a fight immediately anyway... (different political views)

Britgirl,

Darn, why didn't I see your reply yesterday?

I've never really seen a St Patricks day up close.

How about an OMalleys get-together within the next fortnight?  I suggest exact date and time be discussed by PM only.

Lady Jane,

OMalleys was good but not a true St Pats night but guess you have to get what you can!

I'm up for all meeting up, PM me the times and dates and I'll be there.

have fun

Hey Britgirl!!

Sorry you had to go early!!!

I got a bit drunk and wild later on!! Met a girl called renita!!!!!!!!

How was your park outin?

I'm getting old now so 2 was ok for me and I'm glad I didn't drink too much with a 9 o'clock portuguese lesson it would have been worse with a hangover!

It was great and the girls are lovely! think we have formed a circle of friends and are already planning on meeting up this week!

Chakras - my review:

Based on the recommendation here, my wife and I decided to try Chakras for dinner last night. We started with a couple caipirinhas and appetizers.  We noticed by the menu that it was "Happy Hour", so I said to the waiter (in Portuguese), "So, it's Happy Hour right now ay?"

"Yes it is!"

"And I imagine that there is some sort of drink special or other promotion during Happy Hour?"

"Yes there are!"

"Are you going to tell me what those specials are?"

"Certainly sir, let me ask the manager, and I'll be right back!"

When he returned, "Sir, Happy Hour is a time when people get together after work and have a drink and chit chat."

"So there are no real specials or other discounts?"

"No sir."

We weren't really sure if we were all that hungry. We thought we might have just appetizers that night. But when they arrived, they were almost "laugh-out-loud" small portions, so we immediately decided to order two main courses as well. The main courses certainly were not large either - we both had no problem finishing our food (something we rarely do at other restaurants). And by the end of the night we had had 4 drinks, 2 appetizers and 2 main dishes. Total bill: R$250.

I enjoyed the evening. It was great to try some place new. The food was delicious, the ambience was very cool, and the waiters were very friendly, but the bill kind of spoiled the evening.

Hey I went to the Hotel Unique bar last night! It was very very very nice! Nice pool, beautiful girls!!!!!!!

It was quite funny as one blonde stunner was complaining to us that she had a girl try and chat her up and when she told him she wasnt interested he asked if she wanted to talk "money"!!!

I was just wondering that at places like Unique what would be the ratio of hookers? 50% or more?

Quem,

How would you rate SP in regards to it's so called title of "Gastronomical Capital of the World"?

I mean you do seem to eat at the higher end and may be in a better position than I to judge.

So far I have not been impressed especially when it comes to asian food (excluding japanese) and don't believe people get value for money compared to my hometown of Sydney! Mind you, Brasilian cuisine is excluded from the comparison of course.

ZecaP.

Quem,

You do know that there are certain dishes that actually contain gold in the food.

You must have ordered one or three of those.

Rupert,

If you want to meet nice girls, I suggest you join a family sports club or something like that, so you don't worry about hookerdom.

If I were a guy I'd go nuts too, because even the "nice" girls act like hookers.

I went to a dance place with a group of girl friends, all at least thirteen years younger than I am.  I was disgusted by most of them, because they each kissed at least two different guys on the same night!  One of them (not my friend) - the ugliest woman you can imagine - kissed five guys!  Revolting!!! 

Quem - glad you liked the place, even if the portions and price left a little to be desired...we certainly thought it was pricey, but I put that down to an overpriced bottle of wine we drunk.

I should have mentioned that coming from London, I usually stagger from a restaurant in Brazil from over eating, so leaving a restaurant without having to loosen my belt was a nice change! However, it is a pricey restaurant by Brazilian standards.

On my first ever trip to Brazil, I didn't understand the whole portions for two people thing, and on many occasions cringed with embarrassment as a second table was pulled up next to mine, just to allow space for all the food I had ordered!

On a general note, I would have to agree with zecapagodinho
on Chinese food - it really is very different to a standard 'Chinese' offering in London. Having said that, the Chinese cuisine found in Paris is also very different, and Chicago for that matter. The latest trend in the UK seems to be Vietnamese, and before that Thai cuisine, so many 'Chinese' restaurant are now offering Thai or Vietnamese dishes, and don't see any irony in this!

Unique Hotel bar - if you haven't been already, then it's well worth a visit for a nice roof terrace bar with views. The whole hotel is shaped like a boat, complete with port holes. The bar service is slick, and the staff all looked like super-models when I was there last! The scarlet tiled swimming pool up there is also worth a look, and is quite catching in the sunset. If you don't mind blowing your 'cool' status in the bar, take a camera for some panoramic shots of SP.

I guess she had a nice personality or clevage!

PS why do all Brazilian girls say how ugly their friends are while in England and Aus all girls say their friends are hot??

The trick is to hand your credit card and not look at the ammount

Finrudd you live a good life!!!

Figtree is really really nice!!!

The unique bar waitresses were nice but I got annoyed that they insisted on speaking to me in american even though I wanted to speak the local tongue.

Also I the fact that service is added when you have an account is a bit annoying as it stops you from having conversations about tipping which is all I do in America.

Maybe in future I will pay with greenbacks

zeca –

I’m no food critic. I tend to prefer pretty ordinary, Midwest, blue-collar food. (One of my favorite restaurants in Sao Paulo is the Outback steakhouse  ). But as long as you’re asking my opinion…

Sao Paulo may have the best restaurants in Brazil, but I don’t think the food is anything special by “first world” standards. Lots of gringos rave about their dining experiences Brazil, but I think many of the tourists and others here on short business stays are generally happy and having fun, and thus more likely to enjoy their meals out. What’s more delicious: regular lasagna, or lasagna paid for on your company travel meal allowance?

I think expectations have something to do with it also. One of my favorite meals here is picanha na grelha at Chopp do Miguel on Alameda Itu (note: some days it is very good, other days it can be a bit tough – all depends on your luck that day). They have lots of outside tables, and used to prepare it on hot grills at tableside, until neighbors complained and forced them to stop. Now it’s prepared in the kitchen, but they still bring each slice to your plate, one at a time, hot off the grill. I love it. But if this dish were offered to me in the USA – thin sliced semi-tough steak, fried, heavily salted, no pepper and a side of rather oily fries – would I like it? Heck, I’d probably send it back and demand a real steak. But here in Brazil, it’s delicious!

I’m not a fan of chain restaurants but I take exception with Outback. During my last extended stay in the Bahamas I spent 2 months surviving on muesli, apples and micro’d potatoes. When I got back to New Providence I went direct to the Outback and damn near had a religious experience. Luckily you can’t convert to Australianism.

About 17 or 18 years ago I would go to a place in Sao Paulo, Boi na Brasa, between Pr. Republica and Higienopolis on, I believe, something something Itu.  It was not chic jardinish; but had good grilled meat, a memorable side of broccoli and garlic, and reasonable prices. More Noblis than Chivas. But my memories might be...ah...cloudy...and by now this could be in the crack zone.

Chakras - my review:Based on the recommendation here, my wife and I decided to try Chakras for dinner last night. We started with a couple caipirinhas and appetizers.  We noticed by the menu that it was "Happy Hour", so I said to the waiter (in Portuguese), "So, it's Happy Hour right now ay?"

"Yes it is!"

"And I imagine that there is some sort of drink special or other promotion during Happy Hour?"

"Yes there are!"

"Are you going to tell me what those specials are?"

"Certainly sir, let me ask the manager, and I'll be right back!"

When he returned, "Sir, Happy Hour is a time when people get together after work and have a drink and chit chat."

"So there are no real specials or other discounts?"

"No sir."

Quem

I think, the best part of your experience is how it pretty much sums up the life, the pratical application in a nutshell, of an opening conversation of a gringo living in Brazil and asking for something. If you are a gringo living here and you have not experienced this, then you ain´t living here.

But you want to try the northeast, you´ll have a right laugh up here, try magnifying your story to give you an idea and thats if the guy ever returns with some kinda answer.....

Like we are looking for some kinda answer to the meaning of the question that we have posed in the first place  .

Keep them coming! The truth hurts those who deny it or refuse to accept it!

In terms of Asian food and where it's at in Brasil, I'm not surprised of the current state of play. Outside the Japanese immigrants, there aren't many asians here except for the few chinese YUKKIsoba stand operators.

Secondly, some of the key ingredients are not likely to exist here (maybe I have not found them yet???) because of the low or non-existent demand so what you can get at best is an overpriced watered down version made with a recipe picked up off the net. What you do find in say a place like Santa Luzia usually makes for an exxy meal plus you still gotta cook it all.

Tied into the second point is the fact that Brasilians as a population don't travel abroad as much as say Australians, Kiwis, Poms, Americans, Europeans etc. which reduces the influx or influence of other cultures and cuisines. Brasil is some distance away from say southeast Asia.

I always knew that Brasil would not be able to cater authentic yummy Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Moroccan, Mexican and Indian dishes so I've focused on discovering the local fare (bit bland though for my palate) because if there is anyone that should be well versed in making the local fare, it would be the locals!

Boi na Brasa is still in operation. I've been there several times since arriving with the familia. It still has those good old fashioned waiters who do anything to please the client. The place is not chic by any standards (more family type place with tele in the back) but serves excellent meat dishes at extremely reasonable prices. 

Whatever!

Where have you guys eaten in the world where the quality of food is better than Sao Paolo??

I have been to many many countries and I think Sao Paolo has the best food in the world at the best prices.  Of course London and New York has good food but you have to pay a lot for it - the same goes for Sydney.  In France the food is all hit and miss.

A blue-collar canteen in Florence called Trattorio do Mario.

A rainy day, long checkered tables, greasy red-and-white checkered tablecloth, the jug of wine gets passed around and nobody takes note of how many glasses you've had.  You ask for some chicken and the woman tears off a baked drumstick with her bare hands, and slaps it onto your plate.  The walls are ancient, nondescript, as if carved in stone, pre-Renaissance...

That was the meal I most enjoyed in my life.

To be honest I have not had bad food since I have been here!!!

I dont know why all these guys say that the food is bad here, where do they eat????

I'm quite boring as I always eat at the same place!

Santo Grau

Mori Sushi

Catherine

Rodieo

Fig Tree

Fidels

The nice arab place

plus a few others!!!

My fav is porcao but thats only in Rio!

I wonder why there isn't a Porcaos SP?

Rio's  Ipanema  Barra  Ilha  Niterói   Brasília  Recife  Belo Horizonte  Miami  New York  

Donno!

If there was I would be very poor and very fat!

Where is the one in NY?

Greg, you'll ask your friends about the good places & tell us, won't you???