São Paulo – off the beaten track – As Veia

The first impression of this magnificent architectural front that rises on the road to Santa Ines, in the heart of the Serra da Cantareira, outskirts of São Paulo is impressive grandiosity.  The place is enormous and spellbinding.  Surrounded by greenery, the buildings are all in demolition material recycled in a style almost reminiscent of citadels. There is always an unusual and rustic detail on show.  O Velhao is a reclamation and salvage yard, they are often commission to restore some of the city’s most prominent sites.

 

 

Moacyr Archanjo Santos built a dream in the 80’s and his dream leaves on and leads us to an unusual time travel. Apart from the restoration O Velhao holds surprises like, as Veia, main restaurant of this complex, which occupies a large space on the premises surrounded by other small business. The complex houses an off-license selling the national tipple cachaca only, a small cafe, small artefacts shops, photography shop, a pizza place, a snooker hall among other business.

All furniture comes from the reclamation yard, the guests change tables from course to course, as you feel you must take in all details in while you are there. The building has dimensions of a strange fantasy, in the wood stove, a profusion of clay vessels, stairs and  vaults. You want to look, drink and eat everything. All food on display is fresh and exciting.  It is the perfect and relax place to meet and celebrate with family and friends. This place makes you feel at home. The kitchens are open to visit and it’s a pure pleasure to meet the staff.

Under the command of Iracema, aided by Birinha, with whom I worked with at the now extincted advertising agency, W/Brasil, and Eliane Birinha, the restaurant operates from Monday to Monday noon. During the week, I was told it’s pretty quiet, you will have a chance to talk  with Iracema, who even at the most hectic moments, takes care of everything, but always give full attention to all. On Saturdays is dinner at candle light. Divine! Sometimes they have live music. The entertainment on the day we went was a Italian singer celebrating Italian Christmas.  We have a large Italian community in Brazil mostly based in São Paulo.
 

 

 

There is no menu, it’s set price and you eat as much as you can from two buffets set over two different rooms. The cold food and salads is in by the entrance and the other is a hot food on top of a enormous wooden stove is set in the big dinning room. The buffet is diverse and vast.

There is something for everyone.  Caipirinha costs R$ 10 (equivalent to £5), bottled water RS$ 2 (less the £1) , desert 5 pieces for R$ 7 (about £2.5).

Once you get there you are given a numbered piece of paper called comanda, where the staff write all extras like drinks and deserts on this form and you pay all at the end of your stay. What a feast!  Amazing atmosphere, intriguing place, delightful guests and staff.

Great find about 40 minutes from city centre of São Paulo.  I look forward to going back to taste more of their food over a  long lunch. We arrived at mid-day and left at 8pm. A very long lunch!

Here is the lovely Maria Edna special recipe for Bolinho de Arroz:

Ingredients:

cooked rice

saffron

green pepper diced

onion diced

minced garlic

shrimps

small pieces of chicken diced

small pieces of white fish

Flour, splash of milk and one egg

Mix all ingredients till creamy, not runny consistency.

Deep fry and serve immediately.

For more pictures: Flickr

O Velhao

t:  4485-1964 | 4485-4195 | 4485-2084  – best to email: velhao@velhao.com.br

Estrada de Sta. Inês, 3000 – Mairiporã – SP