I'd easily give a 1000 star review if I could. SMG is a gem of its own, really. Surrounded by small…read morebusinesses, tucked in Morumbi neighbourhood, right behind the cemetery. This hole in the wall wouldn't drag you in due to its simplicity, a few tables outside, small parking lot filled with cars, fluorescent lights, counter deli, and packed with people.
Been here twice already and can't wait to go there again. As I'd mentioned before, this place is a gem, it's a mom and pop shop where owner Stephan greets all patrons and his wife takes orders. Why did I took so long to write a 1000 star review for a place like this? Simple, this place deserves a detailed review. Here we go, what did I eat? Glad you asked:
Basterma, fresh curd: Have never tasted anything like this! Slices of cured meat with some paprika, rolled on some fresh zesty curd, topped off with pistachios. Got an extra sunny side up egg to enrich this experience.
Bottarga: thin slices of cured bottarga.
Thought that only the Japanese ate cured mullet roe... My bad! Must love fish, SMG's Bottarga is beautiful. Pungent taste although not overpowering.
Esfiha de Cebola: onion sfiha.
Two words to describe an amazing morsel of food! Sfiha bread is light and crisp, filled with a cream of caramelised onions, curd, topped with crispy fried onions. All sfihas here good, but this one is outstanding.
Kibe Montado: steak tartare, baked kibe, steak tartare, fattoush like salad, fresh curd, crispy fried onions, mint.
It's amazing how fresh each ingredient is and how it blends all together.
Hans' couscous: Hey now, that's how Stephan calls it!
Semolina couscous, prawns, shrimp, mussels, octopus, fish, squid. Just imagine all these fresh seafood cooked in slow simmered made to order with spices, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, than some semolina couscous to soak up all juices...
Chocolate Mousse: damn.
Semi sweet chocolate mousse topped off with crushed roasted pistachios. Damn.
Knefe: ricotta, phyllo, angel hair, preserved apricot. An explosion of textures, softness from ricotta, sweet from apricots, saltiness from ricotta, and lots of crunch!
Bolo de Pistache: (Pistacchio cake): pistachio crust, pistachio filling. pistachio syrup. A tad dry with all these pistachios, but great burst of flavour of... You've got it! Pistachio!
Can't wait to return! Oh btw, this place is jammed packed, they only take reservations until 1 or 2pm and after that is pure madness, but worth the wait!
