It's really hard to give NINO anything but 5 stars !
One of the best Italian places in São Paulo, Nino has become a permanent marker in my list when it comes to Italian places - so much so that in a short span of a month, I've been there twice and I really can't wait to go back.
The restaurant itself has a very discreet bricked facade with some tables outside, the sign is so small that if you didn't know it existed, you would dimply drive past. Lunch hours are busy and if you don't have a reservation, its best you arrive around noon when it opens so that you can get seated otherwise the wait can be long. I was there for lunch both times - once I had a reservation and the other time I waled in around noon - so there was no seating issues. They have several tables for 2 and 4 people and some larger round tables in the centre of the salon for bigger groups. Try to make a reservation at least 2 days in advance.
Getting to lunch - they have a 'Menu di Lavoro' (executive lunch menu) compromising of 2 small starters, pasta of the day and a fruit for R$ 44 (prices on 16/05/2016) - once they had a fettuccine alfredo and the other time a nhoque pasta - both of which I skipped and ordered from the a la carte menu.
I have tried their house bread and "ultra" virgin olive oil - its good BUT I recommend you skip it as the entrees need space...lol
The first time I tired the Rigatoni Amatriciana and just remembering the flavours makes me so hungry. Perfectly spiced and cooked and served in a pan, this pasta is definitely the star of the house. Rodolfo Santis, the chef, uses 'guanciale' pork meat to ensure the authenticity of the recipe and seriously, one you see the dish in front of you, you really don't think about taking photos - pure perfection and the reason why I am so hooked to this sauce. In the menu this dish is served with the Bucatini pasta but I guess I got lucky and got the rigatoni instead.
The second time I tried their Carbonara pasta and I am seriously wondering how they do it - perfect al dente spaghetti pasta, guanciale and farm eggs and some serious magic to make the dish what it is. The temperature at which they serve the dish is perfect and once you see it in front of you, the whole room disappears and you are transported to carbonara heaven. For carbonara lovers, this is definitely the pick of the town.
Bothe entrees are good for 1 person (fills you up), served beautifully in a slightly rustic way and at the right temperature.
I tried their tiramisu dessert and some bites of torta della nonna - both are wonderful ways to end your delicious meal.
A meal consisting of the bread starter, pasta from the a la carte menu, dessert, espresso and filtered water comes to around R$ 100 a person.
I will definitely return to Nino, for dinner hopefully, and try toes other dishes. Right now if there is one Italian restaurant in São Paulo you must go to, it's Nino read more