Biroska Bar

Biroska is a typicall Brazilian bar, fulled of characteristical people from most of parts of Brazil. It's a place to go any day but specially on Mondays (busiest day) to have some beers and dance.

Opened in 1971, this bar became famous for been an "Artist's House". A place where could be possible to meet brazilian pop stars. This fact came up because on 80's, there was an agreement between the bar and the RCA Records, so famous artists such as Raul Seixas, Paulo Coelho, Antonio Marcos, Sydney Magal and many others, were easily found on the tables. Later on, some artists from the country music (sertanejos) began their career in Sao Paulo, playing on the Biroska's stage, such as Zezé di Camargo & Luciano and Leandro & Leonardo. The walls of the bar bearing almost the history of Brazilian music. Tables, photographs and posters of various performers and composers, mixed with pieces of old clothes, objects of famous personalities and newspaper cuttings give the tone to the decor.

The bar, now, receive all kinds of people. The live music starts at 7pm and goes till last customer. Upstairs there is a place to dance, which opens at 11pm. The house also has a VIP area. It is place reserved for those who want to get a break from the noise.

Nowadays, the bar is attached with a restaurant called Territorio da Bahia (Bahian Territory). In the menu, several options of Brazilian cuisine (particularly the one from Bahia), such as: Vatapá, Sarapatel, Moqueca de Peixe, Bobó de Camarăo and the delicious Acarajé.

This bar keeps its doors opened for several hours. As early as you arrive, as calm as it is. As long as it gets late as much as the behavior changes. Choose your mood and have look.

Service
Where: Rua Canuto do Val, 09 — Santa Cecília — São Paulo

When: Every day, from 6pm till the last customer.
Phone: (11) 3338 2525

How much: Around R$ 40 per person.
Website: www.biroska.com.br/biroska/

Anima Mundi Festival in Sao Paulo

After passing through Rio de Janeiro, the Anima Mundi Festival comes to Sao Paulo and it'll be hosted by the Memorial da America Latina (Latin America Memorial) and Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil. The 17th International Animation Festival from Brazil presents 401 films from 40 different countries.

This one is a good year for the event. With the great impact of Brazilians such as Carlos Saldanha — responsible for the movies Ice Age — on the digital entertainment market, the genre has gained a new momentum. An example of it is the number of registered long movies inscribed this year: 9 against 4 from 2008.

The Brazilian representative: Aventuras de Gui e Estopa by Mariana Caltabiano, will be exhibited out of the competition. Among the features are the movies: Immigrants, by the Hungarian Gabor Csupo, the ironic $ 9.99, by the Israeli Talia Rosenthal, and Mia et le Migon by Jacques Rémy.

It will bring to the Brazilian audience the best world animation, it will present Competition Screenings, Special Programs, Retrospectives, International Guests and professional workshops.

Special Guests
Further the films, the public will be able to chat with big names of the animation world, like the French Michel Ocelo and the owner of the blog Cartoon Modern, Amid starch. Mike Cachuela, who developed a visual history of movies such as Ratatouille, The Incredible and Toy Story will offer the workshop Making Your Film.

[by Destak]

Service
Where: Memorial da América Latina — Av. Auro Soares de Moura Andrade, 644 — Barra Funda — São Paulo
When: July 22nd to 26th.
Phone: (11) 3823-4601
How much: R$ 6.
Website: www.animamundi.com.br/ (there is an english version)

We are all connected — exhibition

Do you remember those small telescopes from your childhood? The one that keep micro photos of your grandmother... If you think they were extinct, you need to see the works of photographer Marco Ponce, from the graffitist Speto, the visual artist Ernesto Bonato and the painter Apo Fousek by the viewpoint of the eyeglass. They are spread by 8rosas gallery, hung by wire randomly among the works of artists in full size. It is the details that the exhibition Estamos Todos Conectados (We are All Connected) fascinates visitors. [susan togashi by B-Coolt]

Service
Where: Al. Franca, 1.071, Jardins — São Paulo - SP
When: Monday to Friday, from 11am till 6h30pm. Saturday, from 11am till 3pm. It ends on July 31th.
How much: For free.
Website: http://www.8rosas.com.br/

Chicken and soup restaurant

The restaurant Frango com tudo (Chicken with all) offers four different ambients divided among three rooms, including one for parties, and a balcony. Recipes from the cuisine from Minas Gerais State are the specialty of this house. The feature is the dish called Frango com Tudo Dentro stuffed with chicken and manioc flour. The winter menu offers a festival of broths and soups and traditional chocolate fondue. The friendliness of the waiters is an attraction to the restaurant.

Service
Where: Rua Canuto do Val, 115 — Santa Cecília — São Paulo

When: Every day, from 11am till 4am.
Phone: (11) 3338 2525

How much: Around R$ 25 per person.
Website: www.biroska.com.br/frango/

Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro via Bullet Train

The time of the Bullet Train journey connecting Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro that the federal government wants to build should be faster than airplane trip.

A study done by the Halcrow (British consultants) attending to a government request shows that the route could be completed in 93 minutes, 21% less time than the average of 110 minutes spent by the air companies that are currently available, including check in, boarding and arriving procedures.

But the technicians related to the project believe it unlikely will be ready to the World Cup 2014. Environmental licensing and actions against the expropriation can be the reason for the delay, according to the newspaper Folha de S. Paulo.

Besides, there is an issue regarding about investiment. About 18% of the 91 kilometers route will pass through urban areas and it will demand tunnel structure. Because of that, the value could increase from the originally R$ 20 billion to R$ 34.6 billion.

A Bullet Train ticket will costs R$ 150, rising to R$ 200 during rush time.

The airline tickets currently cost about R$ 180 and R$ 400 during rush time.

Quality Indian Restaurant

There is a really good Indian restaurant in Sao Paulo called Gopala Hari. It's a charm two-story building decorated with thematic elements and rose's petals on the floor. At the entrance, a hostess ornamentally dressed is addressing tables to the customers and explaining how it works. Basically it's possible to choose between two different dishes and four desserts every day. The meal can be served on two sizes: small (R$ 13,50) and big (R$ 17). There is a juice included and it can come with sugar or not. Every day, the menu changes, bringing a interesting diversity during the week. Come to see how delicious is the Indian culture!

Service

Where: Rua Antônio Carlos, 429 - Consolação — São Paulo

When: Monday to Friday, from 11h30am till 3pm and Saturday, from 12pm till 3pm for lunch. Friday and Saturday, from 7h30pm till 10h30pm for dinner.

Phone: (11) 3289-3446
Website: www.gopalahari.com.br

Pizzeria Speranza Sao Paulo

This traditional pizzeria, that first openned it's doors on late 50's, brings the name of the main character of the family Tarallo. Dona Speranza was an authentic italian Mamma from Naples, that came to Brazil after the Second World War. The first restaurant was launched on Bixiga and introduced the pizza Margherita not only to Sao Paulo, but also to Brazil. It came together with the calzone and the Tortano (sausage bread from Naples). Late on 70's the suburb of Moema was chosen to host the second restaurant. Speranza is part responsable for the italian cookery in Brazil. Definetly, one of the best pizzas in Sao Paulo!

Service

Speranza Bixiga

Where: Rua Treza de Maio, 1004 — Bixiga — São Paulo

When: Monday to Friday, from 6pm till 1h30am. Saturday, from 6pm till 2am. Sunday, from 6pm till 1am.

Phone: (11) 3288-8502

How much: Around R$ 35 per person.

Website: http://www.pizzaria.com.br/

Speranza Moema
Where: Av. Sabiá, 786 — Moema — São Paulo

When: Monday to Saturday, from 12pm till 3h30pm - 6pm till 1h30am. Sunday, from 6pm till 12am.

Phone: (11) 5051-7615
How much: Around R$ 35 per person.
Website: http://www.pizzaria.com.br/