🇧🇷 Italian meals | Due Cuochi Cidade Jardim

🍝 Due Cuochi Cidade Jardim: São Paulo Mall’s Italian Culinary Bright Spot In the sea of mediocre mall eateries at Shopping Cidade Jardim, this Italian joint emerges as a reliable option—far from perfect, but a welcome surprise for those craving authentic flavors amid retail chaos. Here’s the lowdown on where to invest your appetite (and where to steer clear). 🌟 Dishes That Deliver Comfort and Care Thoughtfully Split Pasta: Finally, a restaurant that gets it! 🍝 Order the classic tomato bolognese, and the staff automatically serves it in two portions—no awkward fork-fighting here. The al dente noodles cling to a rich, tangy sauce, proving mall food can be more than just fuel. Refreshingly Solid Salads: The avocado shrimp salad hits the mark. 🥗 Ripe avocados and plump, fresh shrimp pair with a zesty vinaigrette. Portions are modest but satisfying, making it a great starter or light meal. 🚩 Menu Missteps to Avoid Fishy Octopus Fiasco: The grilled octopus with mashed potatoes was a letdown. 🐙 The tentacles carried a distinct odor and chewy texture, while the accompanying mashed potatoes—creamy and buttery—were the only redeeming factor. Pro tip: order the potatoes as a side alone. Sugar-Overload Tiramisu: A classic gone wrong. 🍰 Ladyfingers lacked espresso soak, the mascarpone layer was cloyingly sweet, and a drizzle of chocolate sauce pushed it into diabetic-coma territory. Only attempt if you have a 100% sweet tooth. 📝 Practical Perks for Mall Diners Ambiance & Service: Open kitchen, minimalist decor, and attentive staff who split dishes without being asked. A welcome respite from food court chaos. Price Point: Pasta ~R$60, salads ~R$45, desserts ~R$35—reasonable for a mall, especially given the portion care. Hidden Win: Quiet enough for conversation, unlike most bustling food courts. Ideal for quick catch-ups between shopping sprees. 💡 Order Like a Pro Must-Haves: Tomato bolognese (for the split-service alone), creamy mashed potatoes (seriously, they’re that good). Safe Bets: Margherita pizza (fresh mozzarella and crispy crust), mushroom cream pasta (rich without being heavy). Hard Passes: Octopus anything, the tiramisu (opt for gelato at another stand instead). If you find yourself starving mid-shopping spree at Cidade Jardim, Due Cuochi won’t blow your mind—but it will serve you decent carbs without the usual mall-food sadness. Just remember: stick to the basics and enjoy the rare mall dining experience that doesn’t feel like a last resort. 🍕✨ #BrazilianItalian #MallFoodDoneRight #SaoPauloRestaurantReview #PastaLoverApproved #FoodieWarning