La Brasserie

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Failing to be in São Paulo by Mother’s day, the following opportunity required a special celebration. Upon sage advice, the taxi driver dropped us by Rua Bahia, number 683, the Higienópolis’s address of La Brasserie, signed by Erick Jacquin. A large ramp welcomed the lady walking with a cane and inside the restaurant the distance between tables was very generous, too. Before going any further, would like to draw your attention to the fact that I said “lady with a cane”, which is nothing near to “witch with a broom” that many might prefer when referring to a mother in law.

And since a pause to think was made, have to warn you: reviews may not always be either full of praise or reek with discontent. They can have both good and bad intertwined. So, tally-ho! It is our custom to advise restaurants’ proprietors to use the services of “Le Senac” when the waiter doesn’t have a clue about what is going on on his kitchen or galley and basic questions about the non-alcoholic drinks available are replied vaguely. This suggestion comes from the good of our hearts with no further interest in it, except, of course, for our intention of, maybe, hopefully, coming back and being better waited on. Therefore, after the nice impression upon going in, our antennas were immediately put on alert.

Small red tomatoes nicely displayed in little sticks, smashed eggplant, and a generous serving of crispy breads ensued. Being it a working day, the five or six other tables occupied catered to executives in their full style of suits and ties, plus very engaged faces and blaring mobile phones. Seated by our comfortable chairs, we watched a parade of waiters follow. Plates were changed several times, the Coca-Colas were served by small doses. Upon perusing the menu, we learned that there were few choices, otherwise extensively explained. Many dishes sported sweet flavours as it is today’s tendency with the “in” restaurants. Our choices were a filet mignon with funghi (R$ 87,00), a minute of salmon with asparagus (R$ 68,00) and the executive menu of asparagus soup, champignon risotto and crème brullée for desert (R$ 59,00).

We noted, but didn’t request, the seven dishes that were part of the “menu-degustation” and it sported the price of 245 reais. It came with the observation “para toda mesa”. The maître explained that the delicacies were only served if every person at the table would have them, meaning, in our case, that the three of us would have to opt for one each, paying, obviously, 245 reais for each…

The carefully chosen background music, the agreeable and understated well-lit ambiance blended very well with the mild conversation. As soon as the soup was duly finished and complimented upon, the main courses came, in their not so generous fashion. Enthusiastic praises were expressed after tasting the minute of salmon and the champignon risotto. The filet, which looked a little bit meager, was evaluated “so-so”.

Dessert came in the fashion of the expected crème brullée plus the sweet “menu degustation”. Latter arrived with a pineapple “trouxinha”, very tasty; a subtle and creamy Santa Clara pudding; two chocolate torts, and two ice-creams: pistachio and the absolutely perfect raspberry.

We knew beforehand that “l’addition” was going to be salty. It included three colas, one orange juice and one coffee, totaling three hundred and thirty reais, meaning one hundred and ten per person. Not your daily choice restaurant, but very worth of Mother’s day. Who by the way, did not notice the crew “faux pas” and whose executive menu choice was perfect from start to finish. Mission accomplished.