A big part of our travelling to new countries is trying new foods. We'll both try anything and for most part, will just pick something random to try and guess what it is after (though Tim has memorised the portuguese for chicken heart (coração) so he can avoid it!).
It's great when we are out with our Brazilian friends who can order on our behalf and explain the history of, debate whose mother makes the best of and show us how to eat it.
Unfortunately they are not with us all the time so we have to revert to guessing. I have to link to another blog which we are avid readers of - an aussie and kiwi couple who lived in SP until last year. I check their blog religiously to make sure I have memorised their list of recommended foods (and the not so recommended) so I'm much more confident when I'm walking into a lanchonette or restaurante by myself! Today I started at the top of their list with Coxinha de Frango and I have to say it was pretty good - washed down with a compulsory espresso pequeno of course (another con for Tim as he much prefers flat whites but is too embarrassed to order a mug of warm milk alongside his espresso).
Of course I am missing my asian food desperately - Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Indian - but the sushi restaurants are making up for that, for the moment. I will have to hunt out any Asian restaurants (any recommendations from Paulista's are much appreciated - I will travel far and wide!). So far the only recommendation for dimsum is Ping Pong! I think I'm going to have to learn how to make siumai myself or just live without : (
