Sampaio's or Sao Paulo's?

[mayormel]

I'm wanting to try both of these, but am wondering which one all of you Chowhounds like better?

[amysuehere]

Not even a contest for me. Sao Paulo's hands down. WAY better food, MUCH more reasonable prices.

Sampaio's, imho, appeals to the "In" crowd who are more concerned with appearances than flavor.

[MPH]

Sampaio's made veteran-chowhound sambamaster's cut—with the qualification that it’s not really Brazilian. He's never seemed more concerned about appearances than flavor. You can find the discussion here:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/376725

There's really not a "Chowhound.com recommends X over Y" consensus on this board, about anything. After all, different 'hounds have different tastes. In addition to whatever responses you get here, mayormel, you might want to do a separate search of the Austin board for both terms (Sampaio and "Sao Paulo"); read up on why 'hounds recommend each place—and what they like and dislike there; and then choose what sounds most delicious to you.

I hope that you’ll post back about your own experience(s) with Sampaio and/or Sao Paulo.

Best,
MPH

[sambamaster]

I'd like to fine tune my two cents a bit...they are both relatively poor as Brazilian restaurants. One might like the taste of the food of one over the other, but NEITHER is doing Brazilian food as you might find it in Brazil, or at my house, or at any Brazilian home I know of. I initially leaned toward Sampaio's because she was the Brazilian partner of the old location, now São Paulo, whose owner is from Brownsville Texas and as far as I know, only knows Brazilian food from what she got from Sampaio (though since they split, I have to imagine SP has hired some Brazilian or another to help in the kitchen). If someone asked me where to find Brazilian food in Austin, I'd have to say, "make friends with a Brazilian and coax out a dinner invite." Or try the new Estancia Churrascaria, though I've not eaten there....my Brazilian buds tell me it's quite good.
Unfortunately, the owners of both these restaurants don't believe that Austin eaters will go for real Brazilian cuisine....too bad, it's quite yummy...

[ashes]

I prefer Sao Paulo for a number of reasons. I don't know a lot about Brazilian cooking or food, but Sampaio's to me at least seems like the run of the mill mid range restaurant offerings with some "Brazilian" additions (i.e. the same trout, sea bass, etc. at every other place in town with a different sauce). The one time I ate there, the food was simply not good enough for the price I paid. The cheese rolls were tough, the fish was overcooked and the veggie side was oversteamed into a limp mess. The wine list is gouged in price and the Margarita that my SO had was, as he reported, barely passable. The service was horrid. Despite being one of two tables in the place (and she wasn't waiting on both) I think she only stopped by the table once (other than taking the order and delivering food) to check on us. She was simply too busy watching tv at the bar and flirting with the bartender. The space case manager was too busy kissing the asses of the larger party (8 older women) to bother even noticing us. I haven't been back since.
Sao Paulo, in camparison has a much nicer feel, although the waiters can be a bit spacey, and the price point is acceptable, if not a bargain for what you're served. I have had several shrimp specials there that were phenomenal (but can't quote specific details). The parmesan cheese rolls are always hot, fresh and chewy. I also enjoy the cheesy heart of palm dish on their veg. offerings which comes with yummy banana tots. My SO loves their stroganoff style dish so much he never orders anything else.
Sao Paolo's can be crowded with the college crowd around happy hour (good deals on ritas and mojitos) but otherwise is a pleasant place with good to great food.

[TAF]

I'd have to agree with this synopsis. I've eaten there a few times, mainly because I live close enough to walk, and on the most recent occasion I came to the conclusion that I was paying way too much for the fairly mediocre food which I was consuming. I'm no expert on Brazilian cuisine, but I can get a lot more bang for my 'chowbuck elsewhere in Austin. I would add that Sampaio is incredibly noisy inside. They have a metal roof which is not sound-insulated, and once the place is full it's like an echo chamber at the science museum ... you can't even hear the server when he/she is standing two feet away. So, if you plan to try the place, get there early and sit outside.

[Mersenne twister]

How about Bossa Nova? It's only a coffehouse and bakery so it's not a fair comparison. I haven't been.

There's also a Brazilian food vendor at the downtown farmers market. I think they only go on Saturdays. To me, they're the best food vendor there on Saturday, but I am curious how authentic it is and what other Chowhounds think.

[chispa_c]

My boyfriend and I went to Sao Paolo for dinner on NYE. We did not have a reservation but the staff was very gracious and seated us immediately (it was early - 7 p.m.). The specials sounded wonderful and the entrees we chose were very, very good. We both completely cleaned our plates. He had the Estrogonofe do Sul and I had the Salmao Da Consuelo.

Our first date was last March at Sampaio and, similar to Ashes comments above, I prefer the atmosphere at Sao Paolo.

I can't speak to the authenticity of the Brazilian element but I can speak to the freshness of the food and the great service we received at Sao Paolo. We'll definitely go back.

[Dave Westerberg]

No matter which you more like try this:
1) Go to Sampaio's at happy hour (1/2 price apps and $3 Frozen rum drinks).
2) Order the very big mussels app ($5 at HH). Buy a basket of bread to go with it (I think it's a buck). Buy a $3 frozen Mango-rum Drink.
3) Eat your mussels on the toasts served with it. Sip your drink.
4) Eat the garlicky broth in which the mussels are served--with a spoon like a soup--with the bread you asked for.

I'll wager you are now really, really happy. And you've spent $9. Tip well.

[sweet100s]

Definitely!! Agree w/ every word the Dave W person wrote about the Sampaio's mussels, easily my favorite by far out of the past 6 or so mussels dishes I've had.

I don't recall ordering the basket of bread in addition to the mussels appetizer, but a bread basket appeared and I devoured the dish exactly as you described.

On a second visit, the coffee-rubbed pork tenderloin was perfectly cooked, which to me for pork means still moist and flavorful.

I don't know if it is authentic Brazilian. I find Sampaio's interior is warm and inviting.

However, I didn't know Sao Paolo's existed! Amysue, what do you like there most?