Flavia G. Pinho
It’s hard to find a place, at least in the Western world, where a ham and cheese sandwich isn’t an everyday snack. It can be called a mixed toast in Portugal, or called a toast in Rio Grande do Sul. In France, it’s gratinated under a generous layer of béchamel sauce and is called a croque monsieur.
In São Paulo, the hot sandwich is an old favorite. Although it is prepared in traditional bakeries with sliced or French bread, the hot sandwich has become a gourmet treat. In confectioneries, bakeries, sweet shops, snack bars and even restaurants, it is served on special naturally leavened breads, or inside croissants and brioches. The filling includes Brazilian cheeses, artisanal hams and side dishes such as tomato jam.
Feliciana Pães’s hot sandwich –
See below where to try it:
The Pig House
Janaína Torres, considered the best female chef in the world by 50 Best, uses ham from the Real Rueda brand to fill the grilled sandwich, which also contains mozzarella, Mandala cheese from Pardinho and tucupi mayonnaise (R$29).
R. Araújo, 124, República, central region, @acasadoporcobar
DCK Burger
The house specialty is hamburgers, but breakfast offers a grilled sandwich with brioche bread, buffalo mozzarella and ham (R$25).
R. Demétrio Ribeiro, 605, Tatuapé, east region. Av. Zelina, 1,110, Vila Prudente, east region, @dckburger
Feliciana Breads
The bakery prepares the snack with brioche bread, standard Minas cheese and, instead of ham, artisanal smoked pork loin from Charcutaria Prelúdio (R$32). The croque nhô (R$42), the Brazilian version of the croque monsieur, has the same smoked meat, plus Mogiana and Taipa cheeses from Fazenda Atalaia.
R. Pedro Cristi, 89, Pinheiros, west region, @feliciana.paes
Future Cafeteria
Chef Gabriela Barretto combines three Brazilian cheeses (Canastra, Roni mozzarella and Mantiqueira, from Fazenda Atalaia) in the filling of her grilled cheese (R$41), made with country bread. On the side, there is a small jar of tomato jam.
R. Canon Eugene Leite, 808, Pinheiros, west region, @futurorefeitorio
Hanami Confectionery
The shokupan mix, a fluffy Japanese milk bread, is made with just one slice. There are two topping options. The three-cheese one has cream cheese, mozzarella and gratinated parmesan (R$30); the parma one has raw ham (R$32).
R. Mourato Coelho, 505, Pinheiros, west region, @hanamiconfeitaria
Le Jazz Boulangerie
The semi-cured cheese Vô Bastião, from the Serra das Antas dairy, is part of the mixed hot dish along with ham royale. The bread can be rustic or brioche (R$26.50), or even croissant (R$29.50).
R. Joaquim Antunes, 501, Pinheiros, west region, @lejazzboulangerie
The Daily Pain
In the chain that started in Belgium, customers can choose their toasted bread with Emmenthal cheese and royale ham (R$28). It can be croissant, wholemeal, ciabatta, brioche or naturally leavened baguette.
R. Wisard, 138, Vila Madalena, west region, @lepainquotidienbr
Locale Caffè
In this mix of bar and café, open daily from 8am, the grilled sandwich is prepared with ham and mozzarella cheese inside a croissant (R$34).
R. Manuel Guedes, 349, Itaim Bibi, west region, @locale.caffe
Mag Market
Award-winning chef Tássia Magalhães, from Nelita, runs this bakery and confectionery joint. Stuffed with artisanal ham and semi-cured cheese, the hot sandwich is served inside puff pastry (R$23).
R. Doutor Renato Paes de Barros, 433, Itaim Bibi, west region, @magmarket_
Nica Café
Starting at breakfast, and at weekend brunch, the restaurant recreates the French recipe for croque monsieur (R$40), made with ham, Emmenthal cheese, bechamel sauce and grated parmesan.
Al. Lorena, 1,784, Jardim Paulista, west region, @nica.cafe
St. Chico
Customers can choose whether they want the sandwich on French bread (R$22.50), in a milk tube (R$22.50) or in a croissant (R$26.50) at this bakery chain. It usually comes with mozzarella and lean ham, but you can opt for Serra da Canastra cheese for an extra R$4.50.
R. Fernão Dias, 461, Pinheiros, west region, @st.chico
Clothes line
The bar has added grilled cheese to the menu with sourdough bread, gruyere cheese, chives and jalapeño peppers. It comes with tomato soup with miso (R$54).
R. Artur de Azevedo, 636, Pinheiros, west region, @varal____
Source: Folha
I have worked as a journalist for over 10 years, and my work has been featured on many different news websites. I am also an author, and my work has been published in several books. I specialize in opinion writing, and I often write about current events and controversial topics. I am a very well-rounded writer, and I have a lot of experience in different areas of journalism. I am a very hard worker, and I am always willing to put in the extra effort to get the job done.
