See restaurant and bar tips for Valentine’s Day

With the calendar full of June festivities, the quentão and the gang take a break for a celebration for two on Wednesday (12), Valentine’s Day, celebrated on the eve of Saint Anthony’s Day.

Next, check out an itinerary with restaurants and bars in the capital for a date — as well as a show with Belo at Vibra SP, or Lia Paris, at Fasano.

Carnation Bar

The bar has an elegant atmosphere and is a place to try good food and drinks. The menu is signed by bartender Stephanie Marinkovic, who serves classics and originals such as the carnation revolution, with Irish whiskey in asparagus and olive oil, orange liqueur, dry vermouth and a chocolate garnish (R$ 48). At tables for two or at the long counter, try Portuguese-inspired foods, such as alheira, served with fried egg and toasted lemon (R$ 62).
R. Osório Duque Estrada, 41, Paraíso, southern region, tel. (11) 99787-0927, @bardoscravos

balcony

The tables are decorated with candle lights, and are arranged on a more open balcony or in the lounge, surrounded by exposed bricks. The menu has an Italian-inspired accent and offers suggestions such as rigatoni with pepperoni and fennel ragout (R$67) and orecchiette with arrabbiata sauce, octopus and pancetta (R$94), as well as grilled meats. Drinks and wines can accompany.
R. Cristiano Viana, 370, Cerqueira César, west region, tel. (11) 3476-7084, @balcone.sp

Barouche

The bar operates inside a bookstore, with small tables spread across the candlelit balcony. On the 12th, a special menu is prepared, priced at R$281 per person. Chef Rodrigo Felício’s menu features two recipes (boiled egg with oyster cream and trout roe and a selection of cheeses from Brazilian producers) plus a tasting of five small house dishes. The price also includes four drinks from the cocktail menu, led by Danilo Nakamura and Renan Scussel, of the customer’s choice.
R. Medeiros de Albuquerque, 401, Vila Madalena, west region, @barouche.sp. Reservations via the website

Beefbar

The lights in the room are low, leaving much of what is seen to be the candles on the tables. The restaurant serves pastas, salads and fish, but the flagship dishes are grilled steaks. There are cuts of Denver wagyu (R$ 129; 250 g), rack of lamb (R$ 99; 250 g) and Australian t-bone (R$ 296; 1 kg). To accompany, signature drinks or wines are recommended. For dessert, the choice is the artisanal vanilla gelato, which comes with six toppings: caramelized popcorn, Ninho Milk balls, as well as passion fruit, chocolate, dulce de leche and mango syrups.
R. Barão de Capanema, 320, Cerqueira César, west region, @beefbar_saopaulo. Reservations by phone. (11) 2386-1918 or website

Belo In Concert

Singer Belo takes the stage at Vibra São Paulo on Wednesday and performs “Reinventar”, “Desafio”, “Eternamente”, “Tua Boca”, “Quero Te Amar” and “Uncondicionalmente”. In the Valentine’s Day setlist, he also features re-recordings, such as “Beginning, Half and End” and “Como é Grande o Meu Amor Por Você”. Tickets are on sale on the Uhuu platform.
Av. das Nações Unidas, 17,955, Vila Almeida, southern region. From R$ 78. https://uhuu.com/evento/sp/sao-paulo/belo-especial-dia-dos-namorados-13156

Paris Bistrot

Often chosen for meetings, the house is hidden in a village with a European feel and has a French menu prepared by chef Alain Poletto. On the 12th, a special dinner is served for R$580, which includes foie gras with leaves and hazelnut vinaigrette, oysters au gratin and sabayon with champagne. The menu includes scallop pithiver, sea bass mousseline, spinach and duck magret. Wine pairing costs an additional R$350.
R. Augusta, 2,542, Jardins, west region, @bistrot_de_paris. Reservations by phone. (11) 3063-1675

Executioner

The bar is hidden on the second floor of Guilhotina, in a very private area, with few seats, ideal for a more intimate meeting. Signature drinks from mixologist Alê D’Agostino fuel the conversation, such as the Limoncello spritz, which includes artisanal Limoncello, soda and sparkling wine (R$ 65). On the 12th, the restaurant will have a special program and menu with options to share, such as octopus with yogurt paste, cucumber and masago eggs (R$87). Reservation is required.
R. Costa Carvalho, 84, Pinheiros, western region, tel. (11) 3031-0955, @ocarrascobar

Clementine

The small tables in the wine bar, in a type of open basement in Pinheiros, invite you to a more intimate conversation and facilitate the proximity of bodies under low light. It supports glasses of wine and food to share, such as boards with Brazilian cheeses and sausages (from R$ 68) and pizzas, such as tulhada, which has tomato sauce and Tulha cheese (R$ 54) .
R. João Moura, 613, Pinheiros, western region, tel. (11) 97801-1074, @clementina___sp

Clos Bistro and Bar

In a charming 1930s house in Vila Madalena, the wine bar serves, on Valentine’s night, a special menu in five stages, with two pairing options — the light one, for R$445, and the premium one, with the best labels of the house, for R$605. Those on a tighter budget can celebrate love on Tuesday night, when the house offers a third glass as a courtesy.
R. Girassol, 310, Vila Madalena, western region, WhatsApp (11) 94188-0199, @clos_winebar

Casamia Crystal

The restaurant has elegant decor and should please anyone who likes Italian and Iberian food. There are several environments to choose from, with tables in the lounge, under low lighting, or armchairs on the open balcony. To eat, there are pastas, salads, portions to share, meats, fish and pizzas, such as casamello, with tomato sauce, shimeji, portobello and goat cheese (R$75). The alcohol menu features classic and signature drinks and wines.
R. Costa Carvalho, 234, Pinheiros, west region, tel. (11) 94398-3778, @cristalcasamia

Donna

When the night arrives, it is common to see couples of different ages having a romantic dinner in the restaurant run by chef André Mifano. Choose between a table on a small balcony or in the intimate room, which has elegant decor. The menu lists pasta and other recipes with an Italian soul. Tips include trying the fried cheese bread (R$39) and the risotto with pancetta and saffron, finished with egg yolk (R$91).
R. Peixoto Gomide, 1,815, Jardim Paulista, western region, tel. (11) 97593-9047, @restaurantedonna_

Edith

The new small bistro with a French soul in the city center has very low lighting, a room decorated with colorful neons and mirrors and could be a good option for a date. To liven up conversations, try the drinks created by mixologist Rafael Mariachi, such as the old man and the sea, prepared with light rum, grapefruit, lemon, cumaru and maraschino lime (R$ 38). The casseroles are for sharing, like the beef cheek bourguignon with rustic bread (R$63). On the 12th, prepare a menu with drinks, cover charge, starter, main course and dessert for R$145 per person.
R. Rego Freitas, 516, República, central region, @edithbarsp. Reservations at edithbar.com.br

Fasano

On Wednesday night (12), Baretto, the hotel’s most intimate bar, hosts the show “Vive la Chanson”, in which singer Lia Paris performs French music classics – the repertoire includes big names such as Edith Piaff, Bigitte Bardot and Serge Gaisbourg. To accompany it, the house offers a closed menu for two, with starter, main and dessert paired with champagne (R$ 1,600 for two glasses or R$ 2,650 for a bottle). For those who choose to spend the night at the hotel, there is also the option of breakfast with prosecco served in the room, as well as special decoration and amenities.
Rua Vittorio Fasano, 88, Jardins, west region. Daily rates from R$3,200 + taxes. tel. (11)96632-6166. @fasano

Iaiá Cave a Manger

Low lighting and a selection of wines set the mood in the bar. The couple can sit on the armchairs and sofas in the narrow hall or on high benches in a backyard, lit with candles. The wines, with emphasis on Brazilian labels, are sold by the glass or bottle. To eat, a tip is the four-cheese pizza, to share, for R$66. Live jazz performances keep the conversation going.
R. Iaiá, 44, Itaim Bibi, western region, tel. (11) 99573-1810, @iaiacaveamanger

Terrace Italy

Located at the top of the Itália Building, with a panoramic view of the city, the address is a frequent choice for couples for a romantic dinner, and is even the stage for marriage proposals. On the 11th and 12th, Italian chef Pasquale Mancini presents two special four-stroke menus. Options include antipasti, such as salmon carpaccio with asparagus and leek crispy and wagyu tartare with pecorino foam. Among the dishes, there is paccheri stuffed with shrimp and eggplant, sea bass with cream and linguine with nero di seppia or filet mignon with foie gras. Desserts feature chocolate hearts in two versions. Prices vary between tables in the window or in the lounge.
Av. Ipiranga, 344, Centro, @terracoitalia. From R$1,210 to R$2,395 for two people. Reservations via WhatsApp (11) 2189-2940, website or email [email protected]