Mediterranean Cuisine in São Paulo
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Restô Augusta, opened at the end of 2011, expands on its predecessor Kebab Salonu's scope by covering an array of Mediterranean culinary influences while still maintaining the appeal of reinvented Middle Eastern recipes.
At the same address in Baixo Augusta, one of the best areas in São Paulo for nightlife and dining, chef Rodrigo Libbos still honors his family heritage from Turkey and Lebanon and includes on the menu some of his family recipes.
The kebabs which have won him awards are still there - but lighter, in new versions. Rolled in lavosh bread, they carry flavors and spices from Turkey, Lebanon and India. The lamb kafta kebab (R$27,50) is one of the best, with meat, mixed greens, tomatoes, onions and Greek yogurt.
Falafel (R$25) is another Middle Eastern classic you can enjoy in the dining area. The room is still decorated with tiles from the region (the chef himself brought over the ones from Turkey), but it has been expanded and received a Mediterranean makeover.
In this renewed place, chef Libbos is tapping freely into his four-year experience in the teaching of Mediterranean culinary, the time he lived in Spain, his Portugal connections (he has relatives there) and his deep interest in all the diversity of the Mediterranean.
Handcrafted local ingredients are a constant in the recipes. In a press release presenting the new restaurant, the chef said, "When I decided to open Restô Augusta, I fulfilled an old wish to create traditional dishes from other cultures, but with national products.
Besides, Mediterranean people value handcrafted production and therefore I turned to suppliers who have this same concept". It took him one year of research to choose those suppliers.
The multicultural culinary journey can start with the antipasti and mezze, cheese and cold cuts served at the counter. You can mix and match at R$8,90 for every 100 grams, and order a basket of mixed homemade breads (R$9,90) to go with your choices. Italian-style eggplant, hummus, and banana heart, a part of the plant traditionally consumed in some Brazil areas, marinated in olive oil, are some of the options.
Raviolones (R$18) filled with buffalo mozzarella and basil; seafood and migas toasted with skordalia (R$22); pork, pancetta and chorizo in red wine (R$ 40) are some of the main dishes.
One of the chef's favorites from family meals is a ragu with polenta made with cupim, a less-than-noble meat cut from the hump of zebu cattle that has been more and more present at the tables of renowned chefs.
The restaurant has appealing lacto-vegetarian dishes, such as the spanakopasta (R$ 38) Greek-style pasta with a sauce made of goat feta, honey, spinach and toasted pine nuts.
Desserts are getting a special dose of attention here, with highlights in a Sicilian cassata in limoncello sauce (R$16), a banana tarte tatin with burnt brown sugar and cachaça topping (R$16,50) and the Mediterranean cake (R$16,50), dark chocolate angel cake and mousse with apricot paste and candied pistachios, served with a crisp almond cookie. Order icy mate and tangerine tea (R$ 6,50) or a steaming cup of Lebanese black tea (R$5) to go with them.
Sangrias with a touch of cachaça, arak and caipirinhas are some of the drinks served. The restaurant is also one of the best places in Sampa to try specialty Eisenbahn draft beer from Santa Catarina.
Tue-Thur noon to 11:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat noon to 1 a.m.
Sun noon to 11:30 p.m.
Rua Augusta 1416
Consolação
Phone: 55-11-3284-8545
www.restoaugusta.com.br
Restô Augusta, opened at the end of 2011, expands on its predecessor Kebab Salonu's scope by covering an array of Mediterranean culinary influences while still maintaining the appeal of reinvented Middle Eastern recipes.
At the same address in Baixo Augusta, one of the best areas in São Paulo for nightlife and dining, chef Rodrigo Libbos still honors his family heritage from Turkey and Lebanon and includes on the menu some of his family recipes.
The kebabs which have won him awards are still there - but lighter, in new versions. Rolled in lavosh bread, they carry flavors and spices from Turkey, Lebanon and India. The lamb kafta kebab (R$27,50) is one of the best, with meat, mixed greens, tomatoes, onions and Greek yogurt.
Falafel (R$25) is another Middle Eastern classic you can enjoy in the dining area. The room is still decorated with tiles from the region (the chef himself brought over the ones from Turkey), but it has been expanded and received a Mediterranean makeover.
In this renewed place, chef Libbos is tapping freely into his four-year experience in the teaching of Mediterranean culinary, the time he lived in Spain, his Portugal connections (he has relatives there) and his deep interest in all the diversity of the Mediterranean.
Handcrafted local ingredients are a constant in the recipes. In a press release presenting the new restaurant, the chef said, "When I decided to open Restô Augusta, I fulfilled an old wish to create traditional dishes from other cultures, but with national products.
Besides, Mediterranean people value handcrafted production and therefore I turned to suppliers who have this same concept". It took him one year of research to choose those suppliers.
The multicultural culinary journey can start with the antipasti and mezze, cheese and cold cuts served at the counter. You can mix and match at R$8,90 for every 100 grams, and order a basket of mixed homemade breads (R$9,90) to go with your choices. Italian-style eggplant, hummus, and banana heart, a part of the plant traditionally consumed in some Brazil areas, marinated in olive oil, are some of the options.
Raviolones (R$18) filled with buffalo mozzarella and basil; seafood and migas toasted with skordalia (R$22); pork, pancetta and chorizo in red wine (R$ 40) are some of the main dishes.
One of the chef's favorites from family meals is a ragu with polenta made with cupim, a less-than-noble meat cut from the hump of zebu cattle that has been more and more present at the tables of renowned chefs.
The restaurant has appealing lacto-vegetarian dishes, such as the spanakopasta (R$ 38) Greek-style pasta with a sauce made of goat feta, honey, spinach and toasted pine nuts.
Desserts are getting a special dose of attention here, with highlights in a Sicilian cassata in limoncello sauce (R$16), a banana tarte tatin with burnt brown sugar and cachaça topping (R$16,50) and the Mediterranean cake (R$16,50), dark chocolate angel cake and mousse with apricot paste and candied pistachios, served with a crisp almond cookie. Order icy mate and tangerine tea (R$ 6,50) or a steaming cup of Lebanese black tea (R$5) to go with them.
Sangrias with a touch of cachaça, arak and caipirinhas are some of the drinks served. The restaurant is also one of the best places in Sampa to try specialty Eisenbahn draft beer from Santa Catarina.
Hours:
Tue-Thur noon to 11:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat noon to 1 a.m.
Sun noon to 11:30 p.m.
Address & Contact Information:
Rua Augusta 1416
Consolação
Phone: 55-11-3284-8545
www.restoaugusta.com.br
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