The atmosphere is casual, with an indoor lounge and a few tables on a nice veranda. The menu is limited but well thought out, with options for meat eaters and vegetarians alike. And in charge of the kitchen is the young and experienced Rafael Miike, 35, who has worked at establishments such as Eñe, DOM, Maní and Extasia, as well as an internship at the Spanish Quique Dacosta – three stars in the Michelin Guide. That says a lot about the cuisine that Miike practices at Ekiim, a restaurant whose name is nothing more than the chef’s last name read backwards.
The menu, which brings dishes with Spanish and Asian influences, always considers Brazilian and seasonal ingredients, which is why it has already undergone some changes over these four months of operation. Ekiim has a creative and versatile kitchen.
The drinks menu was designed by the bartender Ronaldo Júnior together with chef Miike. One of the highlights is the Negroni Ekiim (R$36), which has Campari, vermouth, gin and guava. The Wasabi Nikkei (R$ 36) brings freshness, being prepared with pisco, wasabi, matcha, ginger syrup and lemon.
Two starters stood out on the menu: the perfect egg (R$35), with eggs cooked in a thermocirculator, sautéed mushrooms, parmesan cream and charcoal crispy. And the squid sandwich (R$46) with homemade bread, tomato, crispy squid, aioli and nori seaweed powder. Unmissable!
Among the main dishes, duck rice (R$89) is already emerging as the clientele’s darling. It brings the rice with that caramelized shell, “socarrat”, topped with orange supreme and lemon emulsion. There are two interesting meat options: a grilled ancho with puree and farofa and a roasted termite with roasted vegetables and sweet potato straw. And a vegan rice with pumpkin, Brazil nuts and mixed mushrooms. But my option was the fried shrimp with catupiry (R$ 75), crunchy, served over appetizing spaghetti pulled in butter with tomato and a touch of lemon.
Among the desserts, the one similar to a lemon (R$32) enchants with its playful look and surprises with the flavor of passion fruit covered in white chocolate. But the Basque-style cheese pie (R$29) exceeds expectations with its light texture and just the right amount of sweetness. Also accompanies a ball of salted caramel ice cream. End the meal with a glass of dessert wine (R$31) or a shot of Limoncello (R$33) or Licor 43 (R$33).
Ekiim
Rua Clodomiro Amazonas, 1277, Vila Nova Conceição, Sao Paulo
Tel: 0/xx/11/3044-4859 and 0/xx/11/97142-9092 (reservations)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 7 pm to 11 pm / Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm
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