Maní opened in 2006 in a low-slung converted house in the Jardins and has been one of the city's most consistent destination restaurants ever since. Helena Rizzo — named the world's best female chef in 2014 — cooks a precise, ingredient-driven menu that draws on small Brazilian producers and family farms. The signature courses are the heart-of-palm and the slow-cooked egg dishes; the bread basket is one of the best in the city.
The dining room opens onto a leafy terrace, the wine list is short and personal, and the service is among the most polished in São Paulo. Lunch is the easier reservation and the better value; a long Sunday afternoon here is one of the city's pleasures.