Famiglia Mancini (Italian), São Paulo

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These two heavens for lovers of italian cuisine (and don't forget , at least 35 % of São Paulos 18 million inhabitants are of italian descendence) are across from each other at the beginning curve of one way Avanhandava Street in Bela Vista , Famiglia Mancini being the oppulent , richly decorated cantina with an incredible self service antipasti buffet with at least 35 items , from sun dried tomatoes to mouth watering colds and cheeses , fresh salmon , artichokes , funghi , just beauuuuutifull..... If you still have space to eat more afterwards , the waiter will come and put a big tissue napkin around your neck , so the tomato , meat or pesto sauce from the excellent home made pasta will not drip on your clothes.....
Across the street , a spin off , Walter Mancinis restaurant , same food , but the place is ultra chic , post modern , live jazz music every night , distinguished , expensive but not stuck up at all...
Both restaurants are first class , each in its own theme , I highly recommend for their unpretentious approach to italian food and highest quality in food and service.
( Don't even try Famiglia Mancini on Sundays for lunch , there are always like 50 people waiting in the street to get a table.....)

Favorite Dish: I love the antipasti buffet , I can't resist those goodies and the fresh , crunchy italian bread.....
Every once in a while I might eat a pasta dish which always is delicious...... It's just that I avoid any calorie bombs if I can do without.....
But they make the food with so much know how and affection that everything just tastes too good..... Try as a dessert in any of the two places Crème Brulée and you'll be done for the rest of the day.....

I was recommended to eat here by my Sao Paulo guide. This restaurant is located in the Italian section of downtown Sao Paulo. The food was simply wonderful. I am a vegetarian so there was a good selection of meatless pasta dishes and the salad bar was FANTASTIC. This is one of the BEST italian restaurants in the world!

Favorite Dish: Gnocchi with white sauce and the salad bar!