Tag: restaurant

  • Experience Modern Mexican Cuisine at Metzi

    Experience Modern Mexican Cuisine at Metzi

    by Richard Jarocki

    A Dynamic Duo Behind the Kitchen

    Metzi is the creation of Eduardo Nava Ortiz and Luana Sabino, two visionary chefs who bring their unique expertise and passion to the restaurant’s ever-evolving menu. Eduardo Nava Ortiz, a Mexican-born chef, brings an authentic and modern perspective to traditional Mexican flavors, while Luana Sabino, a talented Brazilian chef, infuses the menu with fresh local ingredients and creative techniques. Together, they craft dishes that beautifully merge Mexican tradition with Brazil’s rich culinary landscape.

    A Cozy and Inviting Atmosphere

    Located in São Paulo’s Pinheiros district, Metzi offers a warm and intimate setting, with minimalist decor that allows the food to take center stage. The ambiance is casual yet refined, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a sophisticated dining experience without the formality of a fine-dining establishment. With limited seating, Metzi fosters an exclusive feel, ensuring personalized service and a memorable gastronomic journey.

    The Menu: Tradition Meets Innovation

    Metzi’s menu is a thoughtful and ever-evolving showcase of modern Mexican cuisine, with a particular emphasis on local and seasonal ingredients. While dishes change frequently, here are some signature highlights that capture the essence of Metzi’s culinary philosophy:

    • Tostada de Atún – A beautifully crafted dish featuring fresh tuna, avocado, and vibrant citrus notes, highlighting the balance of freshness and umami.
    • Mole Poblano with Duck – A refined take on the classic mole poblano, with complex layers of smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors complementing tender duck.
    • Tacos de Pescado – Light, crispy battered fish tacos served with housemade tortillas and an exquisite selection of salsas.
    • Tamales de Elote – A nod to Mexican heritage, these delicate corn tamales are a must-try, showcasing the restaurant’s dedication to traditional techniques.
    • Huitlacoche Risotto – A unique fusion of Mexican and European influences, featuring earthy huitlacoche (corn truffle) in a rich, creamy risotto.
    • Churros with Spiced Chocolate Sauce – A playful yet refined dessert that pays homage to a beloved classic.

    An Impressive Beverage Selection

    Metzi’s drink menu is just as carefully curated as its food offerings, featuring an outstanding selection of:

    • Mexican Spirits – A diverse range of mezcal and tequila options, perfect for sipping or enjoying in crafted cocktails.
    • Natural & Organic Wines – Thoughtfully selected wines that enhance the dining experience, complementing the restaurant’s bold yet delicate flavors.
    • Signature Cocktails – Inventive creations that incorporate fresh fruits, Mexican spices, and artisanal spirits, offering a refreshing pairing for every dish.

    Accolades & Recognition

    Metzi has quickly risen to prominence within São Paulo’s fine-dining landscape, earning a Michelin Guide recommendation and securing a spot on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list. This recognition solidifies Metzi’s reputation as one of the top destinations for contemporary Mexican cuisine in the region.

    Why Metzi Should Be on Your Culinary Radar

    What sets Metzi apart is its ability to take authentic Mexican flavors and present them in an elevated, artful manner while still maintaining the soul of the cuisine. With Eduardo Nava Ortiz and Luana Sabino’s expertise, a meticulously designed menu, and an intimate atmosphere, Metzi offers a truly unique gastronomic experience in São Paulo.

    Final Thoughts

    Whether you’re a fan of Mexican cuisine, an adventurous foodie, or someone looking for a sophisticated yet approachable dining experience, Metzi is a restaurant you won’t want to miss. Its commitment to tradition, innovation, and top-tier ingredients makes it a standout in São Paulo’s competitive dining scene. Be sure to book a reservation in advance, as this culinary gem is in high demand!

    Have you been to Metzi? Share your thoughts and favorite dishes in the comments below!

  • A Casa do Porco Review: 5 Reasons This Remarkable Meal Stood Out

    A Casa do Porco Review: 5 Reasons This Remarkable Meal Stood Out

    A Casa do Porco Review: A Casa do Porco review collage showing tasting-menu dishes, a pink pig’s-head serving piece, and Richard Jarocki’s logo.

    By Richard Jarocki | Visited November 2024 | Pricing researched September 24, 2026 | Updated September 25, 2026

    A Casa do Porco review: Five things stood out from my November 2024 visit—the food, the whole-animal approach to cooking, the drinks, the relaxed atmosphere, and the commitment to keeping ambitious food accessible. I sat at the bar for the tasting menu, started with complimentary cachaça shots, and left wanting to return.

    An extra order of crispy roasted pork belly with guava, served inside a ceramic pig’s head, also gave the evening its Instagram moment.

    There is a lot to appreciate here. The cooking is creative, the whole-animal approach gives the restaurant a clear identity, and the experience remains approachable. As I wrote in my São Paulo restaurant guide, the food is ridiculously good.

    Oval A Casa do Porco Bar sign with a pig illustration outside the São Paulo restaurant.
    A Casa do Porco, São Paulo’s House of the Pig.

    A Casa do Porco at a Glance

    Location: Rua Araújo, 124, República, São Paulo

    Cuisine: Brazilian cooking with a focus on pork and whole-animal use

    Visit: November 2024

    What I had: The tasting menu

    Published 2024 menu price: R$290 per person; optional wine pairing R$210 extra

    Latest published price found: R$348 per person; optional pairing R$269 extra, reported August 2026

    Where we sat: At the bar

    Drinks: Great; complimentary cachaça shots to start

    Atmosphere: Relaxed

    Additional order: Crispy roasted pork belly with guava jam, served in a porcelain pig’s-head presentation

    Would I return? Yes—I want to go back

    Michelin recognition: Bib Gourmand and Green Star


    My take: Creative cooking that offers a look into Brazilian food culture in an approachable setting

     A Casa do Porco review: three colorful tasting-menu bites presented on moss and stones beside a small cup.
    Small bites from my November 2024 tasting menu at A Casa do Porco.

    1. The Food That Makes Me Want to Return

    I chose the tasting menu on my November 2024 visit. Menus change, so this review describes that experience rather than a promise of the exact dishes served today.

    For a restaurant built around whole-animal cooking, that format gives the kitchen room to show its range. It also gives you a broader view of the approach than choosing a single pork dish.

    What stays with me is the creativity, flavor, and connection to Brazilian food culture. The cooking makes you pay attention to what you are eating and appreciate how much can be done with an ingredient you might otherwise think you already know.

    That is one of the reasons I travel for food. I want experiences that give me a better understanding of a place through what is served.

    A Casa do Porco belongs in that conversation.

    2. Whole-Animal Cooking with a Brazilian Identity

    Chef Jefferson Rueda’s approach gives A Casa do Porco a clear purpose. The restaurant explores how much can be done with the whole animal, drawing on Brazilian cooking and ingredients.

    The connection to the ingredients runs deeper than what appears on the plate. The Michelin Guide describes Rueda’s involvement in raising the pigs and growing much of the produce used in the restaurant.

    That context helps explain the menu. Different cuts and preparations become opportunities to show how much variety one ingredient can offer.

    What I appreciate is that the pleasure of eating remains central to it. There is a concept worth understanding, and there is very good food to enjoy.

    3. Great Drinks, Starting with Cachaça

    A Casa do Porco review: A bottle of Cachaça Amorosa Reserva do Chefe beside a small pig-illustrated glass at A Casa do Porco.
    Complimentary cachaça shots started our evening at the bar.

    We started with complimentary cachaça shots, and the drinks were great throughout the experience. They deserve attention alongside the food because they were part of what made the evening enjoyable. The complimentary shots were part of my visit, something I would assume comes with every booking.

    4. A Relaxed Atmosphere at the Bar

    We sat at the bar, and the atmosphere was relaxed. I appreciate that in a restaurant with this level of recognition. An ambitious menu can still be served in a setting where you feel comfortable, and that was part of the appeal here.

    For me, the combination worked: creative cooking, a comfortable seat at the bar, and an evening that felt easy.

    5. A Commitment to Keeping Good Food Accessible

    But accessibility is central to what co-founders Jefferson Rueda and Janaína Torres set out to build. In a 2019 interview with The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, Jefferson explained:

    “Our mission is to give people access to good food, even if it means making less money.”

    That philosophy gives me another reason to respect the restaurant. I enjoy the attention to detail that comes with fine-dining service, but I also appreciate being able to sit at the bar, have a great drink, and eat ambitious food in a relaxed setting. Keeping that experience within reach of more people is a choice worth recognizing in its own right.

    The Pig’s Head Had an Instagram Assignment

    Alongside the tasting menu, an extra order of crispy roasted pork belly with guava jam arrived in a porcelain pig’s head. The head was the serving piece, with the food inside.

    That order had a very specific purpose: getting the pictures for Instagram.

    I appreciate a good food photo myself, so I am hardly in a position to judge. At a restaurant called A Casa do Porco—the House of the Pig—it was certainly an appropriate subject.

    How Much Does A Casa do Porco Cost?

    For context around my November 2024 visit, Exame’s July 2024 reporting listed the tasting menu at R$290 per person, with an optional Brazilian wine pairing for R$210 extra. The menu and pairing together came to R$500 per person.

    Those are the published menu prices from that period, rather than a reconstruction of my final bill with drinks and the additional order.

    For anyone planning a visit now, the latest published pricing I found was R$348 for the tasting menu, plus R$269 for the optional pairing—R$617 together. Those figures were reported in Folha de S.Paulo’s August 2026 restaurant guide.

    The totals above are the menu-plus-pairing sums; they do not include any additional orders or service charges. Check the restaurant’s current menu before booking.

    That price context matters when discussing accessibility. A tasting menu is still a meaningful expense. What I appreciate here is the ambition of the cooking and the commitment to keeping the experience approachable.

    Michelin Recognition—and My Own Opinion

    A factual distinction matters here: A Casa do Porco holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand and a Michelin Green Star. Those recognize value and sustainability respectively; they are different from the conventional Michelin stars awarded for cooking.

    The restaurant retained its sustainability recognition in Michelin’s 2026 selection.

    In my opinion, if A Casa do Porco paired this cooking with a more formal fine-dining style of service, I could see it earning a Michelin star. The food is already worthy of that recognition to me. That is my impression as a diner; Michelin itself says that service style does not determine whether a restaurant receives a star.

    Is A Casa do Porco Worth Visiting?

    Yes. A Casa do Porco belongs in my São Paulo restaurant recommendations, and I want to go back.

    The whole-animal approach gives the meal substance, and the cooking makes the experience enjoyable. I also respect the restaurant’s commitment to keeping ambitious food approachable and connected to the people who live in the city.

    My visit brought together a tasting menu, great drinks, and relaxed bar seating. Those are the details that matter to me when deciding what to recommend.

    If you enjoy pork and want to explore Brazilian food through a kitchen with a clear point of view, this is a restaurant I would put on your list.

    The food, drinks, and relaxed atmosphere give me plenty of reason to return. The Instagram photos were a bonus.

    My verdict in this A Casa do Porco review is simple: great food, great drinks, and a relaxed experience I want to repeat.

    Completely Unnecessary. Absolutely Worth It.


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