Bella Paulista Casa De Pães

With nearly 21,000,000 people in greater Sao Paulo the need for all-day dining is undoubtedly relevant, and although many fast food options are available Padaria Bella Paulista earns its reputation as the city's most popular 24/7 option thanks to everything from Meat Pies and Pizzas to Ice Cream, Candies and Pastries all made on-site. Entered via electronic ticket, a gadget onto which items are scanned by clerks to expedite check-out, it is across one contiguous floor that Bella Paulista expands from doors to dining area, the hot bar unsurprisingly popular in the middle of a dinner-time downpour, while a Bakery across from the refrigerated section also gathered a crowd. Surrounded by stores on Rua Haddock Lobo, though nearly everyone escaping the rain seemed to be waiting it out at Bella Paulista's tables, it was after paying a miniscule tab that items were bagged and taken home, the majority consumed nearly twelve hours later at CGH while waiting for a plane to Rio. Admittedly an imperfect way to test an eatery's mettle, though none of the items selected were temperature dependent, it was after opening branded boxes that tasting commenced, the Padaria's "Walnut Nest" holding up well with plenty of candied Nuts surrounded by Phyllo strands while a Guava Roll was plenty moist, but fairly one note thanks to overwhelming sweetness. Impressed by Bella Paulista's Chocolate Chip Cookie, both Dark and Milk Chips suspended in crumbly Cornmeal, it was surprising that no sog had besieged the Biscuits in a Napoleon sandwiching Dulce de Leche while Bolo de Mel and a half-dozen Brigadiero also showed well, the Pistachio in particular thanks to a surprisingly natural flavor found amidst the creamy center of Condensed Milk and Butter.

It was awkward at first walking into this bakery as you get a number card (looks like a cartridge from an old Nintendo game) from a vending machine. It has a number inscribed on it where they can track your charges. Once you get the number, you can pass through the turnstile. We ordered various dishes including a Croquette Carne and Consolacao Sandwich. I didn't really like the Croquette because it was stale, but the chicken consolacao sandwich redeemed itself especially with the bacon in it. Highly recommend getting their Consolacao sandwich. At the end, you go to the cash register to pay. Once you finish paying, insert your original number card into the turnstile to get out. There were so many other sweet confections to try, but I was content with the sandwich which was ample for 2 people.

The place is busy and its loud! It has amazing comfort foods of all sorts.... desserts, soup buffet, fried fast foods. The service is a little spotty. There is little to no instruction on how to conduct oneself in this place. When comming in... you get a square chip. Then you wait in line to be seated. There is no sign that says to do either and the line is not obvious, because there is so many people and its the confusing to descern if they are standing admiring or ordering desserts or gelato or if they are in line. Anyways - once seated - you are left on your own with a menu. There is nobody coming to say if they can help or if you are ready to order. I saw a few people helping themselves to what looked like very yummy soups and desserts. I took a look and decided that that is what I wanted. I had to flad-down a server to get his attention to ask how I could order to the help-myself soup and desserts option. He pointed to a small line item at the bottom of one of the many pages in the menu. I told him - that what I want. Then he just stared at me. So, I asked - can I go get it. Then he tells me, he need square chip I got when I first entered the restaurant. He took the chip, punched in the numbers and my order into his little electronic tablet. At the end of my meal, I ordered coffee. He told me... you don't get coffee. I insisted, I wanted coffee and but tells me again that I don't get any. So then I asked for the "menu" and I showed him which coffee I wanted and a few minutes later I had a wonderful cup of coffee. All in all - it was good food. Well priced. And next time when I come - it will be much better because now I know how it works. I had the SOPA VERDE. It was delicious! It had chunks of cured meat in it. Not salty. Just right. I very much enjoyed it. The mushroom salad was not amazing, but it did the job for me. The SALMON AND HEARTS OF PALM pie is fabulous! I could have eaten several slices, but I did restrained myself to one - in anticipation of the wonderful desserts. The bake goods are BEAUTIFUL and TASTY. I couldn't make my mind between the strawberry pie and the keyLime pie with pistachios, so I had them both! LOL. I noticed that the mojority of the clientel were locals and I thought that was a good thing. Please keep in mind that to pay you need to go to the register at the "exit" of the restaurant (different than the entrace) the square chip that you got when you first got there. You will also need this same chip to put on the slot to be able to get out. On my way to the register, I took a mini-self-tour through the bakery. Staff was giving samples of their artisan breads. They have a selection of wines, cheeses and miscellaneous ready to eat/go items. It is a little nice place for the working-people crowd.

A great place to start the trip. We had the breakfast buffet, with all the fresh fruit and pastries being fresh, sweet or savory, veggie or meat. they also have small grocery store (a little over priced), and pastries to buy by the pound (well, the kilo). It's a beginning of a beautiful friendship. We'll be back to explore the menu!

Finally a great breakfast to have with my friend Adriano! Breakfast will be eggs with toast and orange juice