Nelita, a new Italian restaurant in Pinheiros, opened at the beginning of 2021. I finally returned to São Paulo and went to see it! The young and competent chef Tassia Magalhães creates original, contemporary cuisine and surprises us with every bite. Do you know when you go to a place full of expectations and it still exceeds your expectations? That’s how it was during my dinner there. So, read the post until the end and enjoy each dish! Take the opportunity to also read about the new Galeto Rainha in Leblon and the chefs’ favorite burger.
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Italian restaurant in Pinheiros
Nelita is located in a nice two-story house in the region called Baixo Pinheiros. All renovated, it certainly reminded me of cool restaurants from the late Soho, in New York. The atmosphere is warm, modern and sophisticated at the same time. There are no pillars in the hall, the lighting is low and, in addition, the walls are made of bricks. The open kitchen allows diners to see the professionals in action. In fact, you can sit at the counter in front of it. The ceiling height is low, which warms the place, while the kitchen itself is on the second floor.
The menu
The menu at the Italian restaurant in Pinheiros is divided into four parts: To eat with your hands, Starters, Mains (Pasta, Vegetables, Riso, Fish, Meat) and Desserts. It certainly pleases different palates. With attentive service, we were able to choose the right quantity of food. In other words, it’s worth asking about the details and sizes of each dish to make the right decision and avoid waste.
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My dinner
We start with the sensational mushroom croquetas, ideal for vegetarians. We also ate with our hands and enjoyed the delicious crispy rice, with crayfish, ikurá and lemon. Then it was time for our starters. The first, foie gras with green apple and matcha – which melted in my mouth and took me back to Paris. And the second, the famous smoked pink shrimp, with tomatoes and acerola brodo and finished at the table. It was not an easy task to choose the main dishes, but influenced by the chef, I went for Bigoli, which uses Putanesca Bianco (green olives and capers) and combined it and left extremely satisfied. Marcelo chose the Cazunei, (like a gyosa) with sweet corn, spices and burnt butter, which contrasts sweet with salty and was also divine.
Finally, to end our dinner at the new Italian restaurant in Pinheiros, we tried the pannacota with vanilla and yellow fruits and the raspberry, with lemon and basil. In other words, the latter was the champion!
The wines
The wine list is accessible and offers several labels ranging from classics to natural and organic. So we liked what we tried, including the dessert wines.
Completion of the new Italian restaurant in Pinheiros
Named after the chef’s mother’s nickname, Nelita is not just for haute cuisine lovers. It also appeals to those who simply want to eat well! Creative and tasty dishes, a welcoming environment and attentive service. Do we need more to be happy at dinner? I will certainly be back soon! And I need to catch a plane for that, lol.
Nelita: Rua Ferreira de Araújo, 330, Pinheiros
Text: Renata Araújo.
Photos: Renata Araújo and Nelita Disclosure
