Well, it is now official. Lauren skied for the first time over a long weekend up at Boyne Highlands in Michigan after we were invited by our friends, and she did great. I'll edit this post and add pictures and video, but for now I'll just summarize it like this: we're going to have to get out West next winter. No question about it.
Well done baby.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Sao Paolo summary
Sao Paolo was a great experience. The people are very helpful, but I'm not too sure of the English penetration in the population as I'm traveling with Martin, and he speaks Portuguese.
The food was great...
Santa Grau - lunch(es)
After I got to the hotel, took a shower, and unpacked, Martin and I went to the local spot down the street from the hotel. Pretty cool cafe space, very tropical feel to it with a bunch of foliage around the outdoor patio, and very good vibe with the staff, clientele, and ambiance. After some smoked salmon (which is all over menus in Sao Paolo) and some croquettes with bacalhao that were washed down with caipirinhas and espresso, it was settled that Santra Grau was going to be the go-to spot for food when necessary.
348 Restaurant - Argentinian steak
Martin and I crushed a parillada for two that was a mixture of morcilla, chorizo, beef heart, lomo and bife de chorizo in addition to palmito salad, farofa, and rice. Add some caipirinhas on top and it was a very speedy meal (the Brazilians weren't happy that we showed up 15 minutes before the kitchen closed, but whatever). Note for future - don't show up after 11pm to this place so you don't have to scarf down dinner. It doesn't make you feel any better if you rush.
Cristal Pizza - Italian Pizza 'hot-spot'
This was the recommendation of the boss-man, and we were skeptical. There was not much action at 9pm on Sunday night when we showed up, but the longer we stayed, the more people came. We ended up having a 3h pizza dinner and it was awesome.
Varanda - Brazilian steakhouse
Dinner with clients was great, and very simple Brazilian steakhouse - some small plates to start, one picanha and one ribeye steak later plus espresso. Great picanha too.
Dalva e Dito - Brazilian "home-cooking"
This was my favorite place that we went to. There is something to be said for the amazing space (glass wall looking into the kitchen, vaulted ceilings and very inviting space even though it was huge) coupled with refined interpretations of "home cooking." I had the best moqueca I've ever had, and overall it was just a great meal.
Jam Warehouse - Sushi
We were recommended to go here for good sushi, and the place delivered. Beyond just the high quality fish and caipirinhas (with maracuia, or passion fruit in English) this place was a total scene. We went late on Wednesday evening, and the place was packed. Towards the end of the night, one couple came, ordered one drink, made out for 10 minutes and then left, without even getting halfway through the drink! I guess there's no reason to delay the inevitable...
Ecco - Local "no frills" spot in a wealthy neighborhood
Apprarently the hotel was around the corner from a really trendy block. Literally though, it was only one block. We decided to walk around and see what the options were before preparing to leave the following morning, and there were amazing options. We settled on a more casual place, but while we were there the club next door started going off. As we were leaving, it was basically a shot out of a movie with people going to a nightclub. Only, they were pulling up in Aston Martin DB9s, Mercedes SLS gull-wings (the new ones) and Porsche GTs... insane. I remember that I had a good fish dish, and that the guy at the table next to us paid for some "companionship" during our dinner, but I won't forget the activity on the street when we left dinner.
Definitely easy to make your way through menus and get phenomenal food and drink. Very contemporary city, and there is still significant upside as the Brazilian economy continues to grow.
The food was great...
Santa Grau - lunch(es)
After I got to the hotel, took a shower, and unpacked, Martin and I went to the local spot down the street from the hotel. Pretty cool cafe space, very tropical feel to it with a bunch of foliage around the outdoor patio, and very good vibe with the staff, clientele, and ambiance. After some smoked salmon (which is all over menus in Sao Paolo) and some croquettes with bacalhao that were washed down with caipirinhas and espresso, it was settled that Santra Grau was going to be the go-to spot for food when necessary.
348 Restaurant - Argentinian steak
Martin and I crushed a parillada for two that was a mixture of morcilla, chorizo, beef heart, lomo and bife de chorizo in addition to palmito salad, farofa, and rice. Add some caipirinhas on top and it was a very speedy meal (the Brazilians weren't happy that we showed up 15 minutes before the kitchen closed, but whatever). Note for future - don't show up after 11pm to this place so you don't have to scarf down dinner. It doesn't make you feel any better if you rush.
Cristal Pizza - Italian Pizza 'hot-spot'
This was the recommendation of the boss-man, and we were skeptical. There was not much action at 9pm on Sunday night when we showed up, but the longer we stayed, the more people came. We ended up having a 3h pizza dinner and it was awesome.
Varanda - Brazilian steakhouse
Dinner with clients was great, and very simple Brazilian steakhouse - some small plates to start, one picanha and one ribeye steak later plus espresso. Great picanha too.
Dalva e Dito - Brazilian "home-cooking"
This was my favorite place that we went to. There is something to be said for the amazing space (glass wall looking into the kitchen, vaulted ceilings and very inviting space even though it was huge) coupled with refined interpretations of "home cooking." I had the best moqueca I've ever had, and overall it was just a great meal.
Jam Warehouse - Sushi
We were recommended to go here for good sushi, and the place delivered. Beyond just the high quality fish and caipirinhas (with maracuia, or passion fruit in English) this place was a total scene. We went late on Wednesday evening, and the place was packed. Towards the end of the night, one couple came, ordered one drink, made out for 10 minutes and then left, without even getting halfway through the drink! I guess there's no reason to delay the inevitable...
Ecco - Local "no frills" spot in a wealthy neighborhood
Apprarently the hotel was around the corner from a really trendy block. Literally though, it was only one block. We decided to walk around and see what the options were before preparing to leave the following morning, and there were amazing options. We settled on a more casual place, but while we were there the club next door started going off. As we were leaving, it was basically a shot out of a movie with people going to a nightclub. Only, they were pulling up in Aston Martin DB9s, Mercedes SLS gull-wings (the new ones) and Porsche GTs... insane. I remember that I had a good fish dish, and that the guy at the table next to us paid for some "companionship" during our dinner, but I won't forget the activity on the street when we left dinner.
Definitely easy to make your way through menus and get phenomenal food and drink. Very contemporary city, and there is still significant upside as the Brazilian economy continues to grow.
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