While Cafe São Paulo does not have much Brazilian food on the menu, it does offer a blend of the best selling hits in Bangladesh, the pastas, the pizzas, the pastry, coffee and mocktails.
It is a Bangladeshi coffee chain which is a sister concern of Modele Group, specializing in a wide range of hot and cold coffees with a variety of mocktails and fresh juices.
The point of going to a cafe is to have a relaxed meal of shareable and a frothy cup of coffee with good company. General Manager at São Paulo Shaheen Sarwar says they aim to provide quality food and coffee at affordable prices, with a welcoming atmosphere.
Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune"We're somewhere in between North End Cafe and Gloria Jeans," added Executive Chef Valter Belli, "not so much but not less either."
Food
Their Chicken Tikka Lasagna on the menu is a fusion dish.
"Bengali people want a ton of spices in their food," stated Chef Valter when asked about the menu, "They sometimes forget to appreciate the actual ingredients."
He then went on to describe the Chicken Tikka Lasagna as a little fusion, "something for them and something for us."
Incorporating chicken and a tikka marinade into the lasagna was a unique choice because it helped prevent the lasagna from becoming too heavy on the tongue while maintaining its velvety smoothness from the béchamel sauce's pleasing consistency of medium thickness.
Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneWhile we applaud the effort to explore out of the box, we found the tikka flavour too subtle to be truly enjoyable and gauge the difference from adding the tikka flavour.
However, the lasagna is easy on the stomach because of the presence of the chicken.
Among their dessert selection, their traditional Spanish dessert of Churros consisting of choux pastry dough, liberally sprinkled with sugar, as you dip it onto the warm chocolate and some heavy cream, are a delight from start to finish as the sugar crackles and the dough's softness takes over your tongue.
The whole thing, from the sugar coating to the pastry cream and Nutella inside, is delicious as you take a bite of their bombolone, an Italian doughnut.
Another feather in the cap of nuanced desserts; it's sweet without overpowering your tastebuds.
Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneYou can enjoy the genuine flavour of chocolate and cream without swallowing a ton of sugar.
Try their Curau de Milho, a Brazilian dish which is a corn pudding made from cocoa, cinnamon, and black pepper; it too is subtly sweet but adding black pepper gives it a slight unique zing. This is the dessert for you if you like to experiment.
Mango bliss was the last course, including cream, gelatin, and edible gold with a sponge base was our favourite dish here by a long shot.
The most "blissful" flavour of mangoes is found in these bites, and you will not be able to stop until you've had your fill.
The price range for a meal at cafe São Paulo is Tk250 to Tk700, including VAT.
Ambience
The Banani location of Cafe São Paulo takes its name from one of Brazil's liveliest cities.
Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneYou know you are in for a good time as soon as the elevators open onto a bright, colourful, active area with purple, green and red cushioned chairs and a kaleidoscopic ceiling that shouts fun and grandeur.
Challenges
Their Banani location, which just opened a little over a month ago, depends on publicity and word of mouth to succeed.
"Although we have repeat clients, we'd love for the general public to learn about our new location," said Shaheen Sarwar
The rising inflation has made it more challenging to maintain high standards with the price.
Their Dhanmondi outlet is fancier with a more extensive menu than their Banani branch, which caters to a more laid-back clientele with a different taste profile.
"Sometimes customers from Dhanmondi may visit Banani and ask for the same dishes they had in Dhanmondi, and we have to tell them we serve a different menu," said Chef Valter.
“People here like chilli in their food, often it is hard to explain that you can't have chilli in everything if you really want to taste the ingredients,” he added.
Verdict
While Cafe São Paulo provides a balance of sweet and savoury dishes, it's safe to say that their dessert selection takes the cake, and when you go, their mango bliss is something you should try.
Did we mention they are adding mocktails to their menu? Their Rosabella is refreshing.
