Soteropolitano

I am a very lucky person – I always have someone to guide me to great restaurants. That was the only way I could have found Soteropolitano, and, therefore, great food from Bahia!

Bahia is in the Northeast of Brazil, and is a melting pot of its own. Former slavery harbour, once the most important European city in the continent, thriving with African rooted religions, Muslims and Catholics, Portuguese and Dutch, and then blessed by a rich bay from where it takes it’s name – it comes to no surprise that Bahia has such great food! And for anyone visiting Brazil, it should be compulsory to get away from the better known picanha and to taste all the richness this North-eastern food cuisine has to offer.

Soteropolitano is located in the trendy and bohemian neighbourhood of Vila Madalena – one of the hippest place in São Paulo. The restaurant in itself is a small vila, and when you get there you fully understand what it means. It is a house – literally! The dining room is not one, but several small ones, with tables here and there, maximizing the use of the space. The toilets are also adapted from regular bathrooms. And there is also a small area outside, adapted from a small garden, where you can enjoy your meal – and, in my opinion, this is the “best seat in the house”!

Then, it is time for choosing your food – and from all the great options that Bahia has to offer. As a starter, you can order an “acarajé”, an afro-brazilian bun (but actually a bit bitter and not made of bread), that you can then prepare with small shrimps, vatapá (don’t ask, just bear in mind it is damn good!), vegetables, an assortment fo sauces,… Believe me – ask one to share and you will find it delicious. Then, it is time to actually order starters. And I really like “moqueca” or “bobó”! Moqueca is a fish and shellfish stew prepared with a number of different spices – in Sotoporetano, you elect from several kinds of shrimp, crabs, fish… Bobó is also a delicacy from Brazilian Northeast, a delicious creamy shrimp dish – one of my top entrées! There are other options, like great fish or dried meat entrees, but, these two, are

You don’t know food from Bahia? You should! And if you are in São Paulo, Soteropolitano is the perfect place to do so! With some friends, a beer in your hand and good, easy flowing conversation. As that will be complementing good food, the rest of the day or night will be close to perfection.

Where: São Paulo - Brazil

Address: Rua Fidalga, 340- Vila Madalena

Phone: +55 11 3034 4881

Expensive: Around €40

Last visit: November 2011