Art, gastronomy and tranquility in a fun weekend in São Paulo

posted on 10/16/2022 06:20

Now that the pandemic is under control, the pent-up desire to travel has gained momentum among Brazilians. According to the Narrativa Travel – 2022 study, released by Meta – administrator of some of the major social networks used in Brazil – 55% of respondents believe that travel is very important to their lives and 66% plan to pack their bags. the second half of 2022.

And if the rising dollar and euro have hampered international adventures, the way to go is a tour of Brazil. The same survey shows that 60% of Brazilians plan trips within their own country, reinforcing the growing trend of domestic tourism. Many hotel companies have invested in this market.

“During the pandemic, with travel restrictions, we noticed a large influx of guests from here in the state of São Paulo who came to the hotel to spend the weekend and enjoy our services,” recalls Fernando Bacala, director of sales & marketing at Renaissance Hotel. “For example, many people came from neighboring towns to see a play in the theater which is located in the hotel and then came back. Today he spends the night here.”

At the invitation of Renaissance, located in Jardins, a few meters from Avenida Paulista, Magazine spent three days in São Paulo, outlining a gastronomic and cultural itinerary that can easily be covered in a long weekend.

art everywhere

In these three days I visited three museums with very different proposals. The first, the São Paulo Museum of Art (Masp), is a mandatory stop on any cultural tour, even if you already know it. Because in addition to the permanent collection – and very rich – there are always temporary exhibitions.

The building itself, in the heart of Avenida Paulista, is a spectacle in itself. Opened in 1968 and designed by Lina Bo Bardi, the space has become a landmark in the history of 20th-century architecture. It combines rough and unfinished surfaces with lightness, transparency and suspension. The esplanade below the building, known as the “clear span”, was designed as a plaza for popular use. And so it is to this day.

The collection, with approximately 10,000 pieces, includes African, American, Asian, Brazilian and European art, from antiquity to the 21st century, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs and clothing.

There it is possible to appreciate works from European artists, such as Van Gogh, Cézanne, Renoir, Monet and Picasso, to self-taught Brazilian artists, such as Maria Auxiliadora, Agostinho Batista de Freitas, Albino Braz, José Antônio da Silva and Rafael Borjes de Oliveira . They help to build a wider panorama of Brazilian culture, along with the famous Anita Malfatti, Di Cavalcanti, Candido Portinari and Victor Meirelles. Tickets cost R$50.

Another must visit is the Ipiranga Museum, which just reopened to the public on September 8, after being closed for nine years for restoration and expansion. Over the past three years, the museum has undergone a renovation in which the built-up area has doubled and the exhibition space has tripled. The restoration included the beautiful French garden and the fountains.

A tip is to take the time to get lost between the wide and beautiful corridors of the building, built between 1885 and 1890, and its 12 exhibitions – 11 of which are long-term and one temporary. There it is possible to go through the entire history of Brazil, from eating habits, clothing and toys to the most remarkable political moments.

The Ipiranga Museum is located in the Parque Independência complex. Originally intended as a monument to independence, in 1895 it became the headquarters of the State Museum, which was established two years earlier and is the oldest public museum in São Paulo and one of the oldest in the country. Tickets are free and can be picked up weekly, every Friday at 10 am, on the website www.museudoipiranga.org.br or on the Sympla platform. But be careful as they sell out very quickly. The covid-19 vaccination card is required to gain entry.

street art

The third point of visit is not really a museum, but it is now one of the main tourist attractions in São Paulo and brings a lot of urban art. At Beco do Batman, in Vila Madalena, it is possible to see graffiti panels, including by the famous artist Kobra, on the walls of the streets and alleys of the Bohemian quarter, which are mostly closed to cars.

It all started in the 80s, when the Batman figure appeared on the walls. The bat man caught the attention of art students, who began to color the walls of the area with cubist and psychedelic designs.

As a good urban space, the space is always changing and the designs multiply with the arrival of new artists. If you already know Beco do Batman, you will definitely discover something new on your next visit.

Around the famous Beco there are many bars, cafes and restaurants. The region is also home to several shops and art galleries and, on weekends, a craft fair. It is worth getting lost in the alleys.

Gastronomy

There is no shortage of opportunities for excellent bars and restaurants in São Paulo and a weekend certainly won’t be enough to get to know a small part of them. In the Renaissance Hotel itself, where I stayed, I had great gastronomic experiences. And the great thing is that the bar, the sushi and the main restaurant, Terraço Jardins, are open to the public.

After a stroll through the city, enjoying a happy hour followed by dinner with the best of Japanese cuisine at the Living Lounge Bar & Sushi is a good option. At 19.00 there is always the house drink time. In an intimate space, sushi is led by Brazilian chef Shoiti Eyama, who has lived in Japan for 18 years — including part of the pandemic in Japanese countries. There you will taste the classic of Japanese food – forget cream cheese and other Tupiniquin inventions.

On the menu is the Combo 70 Living Lounge Bar & Sushi (R$385), a 70-piece combo with the best pieces of sushi and sashimi and a 250ml bottle of sake to accompany the experience. A tip is to make a reservation, as the space has few tables.

Terraço Jardins has recently undergone a major renovation and has a unique architecture, reminiscent of a large garden, surrounded by species from the Atlantic Forest. The restaurant is run by Chef Raul Vieira, who started as an intern at the hotel and, after working in several homes in Brazil and abroad, has just returned home.

The chef’s proposal, who has revisited the menu, is to praise the gastronomy of São Paulo. To this end, he prepared new dishes with caipira and caiçara influences – appreciating fresh ingredients from small local producers. Among the novelties on the menu, the sharing starter of Manjubinha and Peixinho da Horta à Dorê with tartar sauce and lemon cloves (R$65) stands out. For pasta fans, the bet is the pumpkin ravioli, with cured sheep’s cheese and roasted onions (R$76) and the plantain gnocchi, with shrimp, candied garlic and cherry tomatoes (R$88).

“Besides reinterpreting the recipes, we want to bring the feeling of that family moment, relive new memories, with a full table and shared and artisanal food. From the interior, with appreciation and respect for our biome, the Atlantic Forest and the small local producers in every region,” says the chef.

To close the script with a swing, how about a moment of relaxation? The Spa At Renaissance is also open to the public and offers over 30 treatment options. The space has 10 massage rooms and a relaxation room with jacuzzi, sauna and steam bath.

Packages are offered to be experienced by a maximum of two people, as is the case at the Day Spa – Escape with a friend (os), which has a welcome ritual with foot bath, 50 minute massage – relaxing with aromatherapy, shiatsu, deep muscle , lymphatic drainage or reflexology — and a 50-minute skincare ritual, with Drain Detox, Lifting and Anti-Age options. The package ranges from R$490 to R$635 per person.