This article was first published in April 2017 (opening of the restaurant) then updated in June 2019 for the launch of Uma Nota's new menu
by Aude Camus
If you read my reviews on a regular basis (if you don’t, that’s bad!), you know that I have been all about Hong Kong 's latest foodie trend lately: Japanese/Latin American food. Djapa had me experienced Brazilian-Japanese food, before discovering Peruvian-Japanese cuisine at Tokyolima.
Newcomer in town is Uma Nota, a modern boteco. A boteco? A traditional Brazilian place where you can buy refreshing drinks, mouth-watering street food and enjoy the super chill Brazilian vibes. Uma Nota is not just another restaurant in town, it is a little patch of São Paulo in the heart of Central that serves authentic Brazilian street food.
If you read my reviews on a regular basis (if you don’t, that’s bad!), you know that I have been all about Hong Kong 's latest foodie trend lately: Japanese/Latin American food. Djapa had me experienced Brazilian-Japanese food, before discovering Peruvian-Japanese cuisine at Tokyolima.
Newcomer in town is Uma Nota, a modern boteco. A boteco? A traditional Brazilian place where you can buy refreshing drinks, mouth-watering street food and enjoy the super chill Brazilian vibes. Uma Nota is not just another restaurant in town, it is a little patch of São Paulo in the heart of Central that serves authentic Brazilian street food.
June 2019 edit
Welcomed by Alexis, the super nice owner, and the friendly staff, I almost feel like a regular. Brazilian hospitality, I guess! But knowing that I've been coming here quite regularly since the opening of the restaurant 3 years ago, I guess it's pretty much ok to call myself a regular. Right?
The design is simple but nice and the huge piece of street art, opposite the street, that you can spot through the window definitely ads a little extra touch of São Paulo’s vibes. Also loving the beautiful mural from French artist Elsa Jeandedieu (right here to rediscover our interview of Elsa) on the restaurant's wall on Pell Street. One thing I only learned very recently, even though I've already visited the restaurant many times already, is the meaning of Uma Nota, literally "a single note of music" in Portuguese: a catchy name paying tribute to the vibrant music which you can hear pretty much everywhere in the streets of Sao Paulo.
The best seats? At the counter of course! I love nothing more than being able to chat with the chef while eating and waiting for my dishes.
Welcomed by Alexis, the super nice owner, and the friendly staff, I almost feel like a regular. Brazilian hospitality, I guess! But knowing that I've been coming here quite regularly since the opening of the restaurant 3 years ago, I guess it's pretty much ok to call myself a regular. Right?
The design is simple but nice and the huge piece of street art, opposite the street, that you can spot through the window definitely ads a little extra touch of São Paulo’s vibes. Also loving the beautiful mural from French artist Elsa Jeandedieu (right here to rediscover our interview of Elsa) on the restaurant's wall on Pell Street. One thing I only learned very recently, even though I've already visited the restaurant many times already, is the meaning of Uma Nota, literally "a single note of music" in Portuguese: a catchy name paying tribute to the vibrant music which you can hear pretty much everywhere in the streets of Sao Paulo.
The best seats? At the counter of course! I love nothing more than being able to chat with the chef while eating and waiting for my dishes.
A caipirinha to start with maybe? Or another cocktail, they are all kinda addictive. The guys behind the bar definitely know how to mix cachaça, sake or Japanese whiskey with spices, fruits and herbs. I've tried many of their fruity creations over my several visits here - kiwi caipirinha, passion fruit caipirinha, mango caipirinha - and there isn't a single one I didn't like.
Ok let’s order some food before having too many caipis, shall we?
I already loved the place for it's addictive nibbles to share. OMG, I don't think I can ever get enough of their Dadinhos de Tapioca (HKD 75), the most pornfood Brazilian tapioca and cheese dices, and their Coxinhas de frango (HKD 85), chicken and okra dumplings in a homemade chili sauce. Those have been my fav since the very beginnings so quite happy they are still on the menu. But I am also loving the newly added Croqueta de linguiça (HKD 75). I mean, is there anything not to like about hot Pork sausage croquettes to dip into a wasabi and cucumber mayo? Speaking of something new and very likeable, I would also definitely recommend giving a go to the Polvo Teriyaki (HKD 135).
Ok let’s order some food before having too many caipis, shall we?
I already loved the place for it's addictive nibbles to share. OMG, I don't think I can ever get enough of their Dadinhos de Tapioca (HKD 75), the most pornfood Brazilian tapioca and cheese dices, and their Coxinhas de frango (HKD 85), chicken and okra dumplings in a homemade chili sauce. Those have been my fav since the very beginnings so quite happy they are still on the menu. But I am also loving the newly added Croqueta de linguiça (HKD 75). I mean, is there anything not to like about hot Pork sausage croquettes to dip into a wasabi and cucumber mayo? Speaking of something new and very likeable, I would also definitely recommend giving a go to the Polvo Teriyaki (HKD 135).
Doesn't this pan fried octopus look super yummy? Loving the sweet taste of the teriyaki sauce and the soft texture of the sweet potatoes combined with the squishy one of the octopus. Take this one away from me, I'm about to finish it all but need to save some appetite for what's coming next.
Must confess I had more than my share of Uma Nota's ceviches over my different times there so, of course, I had to give a go to the latest addition: the Ceviche Nikkei (HKD 175).
Must confess I had more than my share of Uma Nota's ceviches over my different times there so, of course, I had to give a go to the latest addition: the Ceviche Nikkei (HKD 175).
White fish, octopus, rice vinegar, mirin, soy sauce, dashi, lime juice , coriander, red onion and avocado ... Guess what? It's dope. But I'm not even surprised and wasn't expecting anything less from this one.
Moving onto Brazilian street food bites and ordering some skewers. If you never had them before, you should definitely give a go to the Beef (HKD 115) ones. I mean, would it really be a proper Brazilian feast without meat? But, I have to say, I even liked the brand new Tuna (HKD 115) skewers better with their spicy twist.
Another must order I would say is the Fraldinha (HKD 370), a grilled flank steak served with farofa (toasted flour) and feijao (white beans) salad. But hope you won't mind, tonight I'd like to give a go to the brand new Robalo (HKD 290) fish instead: a super tender sea-bass roasted in banana leaf and served with fried bananas. That's yummy!
Looking for a place with cool vibes, great food to share, super reasonable prices and funky cocktails? Think Brazil, think São Paulo, think Uma Nota !
Uma Nota
38 Peel Street, Central
Moving onto Brazilian street food bites and ordering some skewers. If you never had them before, you should definitely give a go to the Beef (HKD 115) ones. I mean, would it really be a proper Brazilian feast without meat? But, I have to say, I even liked the brand new Tuna (HKD 115) skewers better with their spicy twist.
Another must order I would say is the Fraldinha (HKD 370), a grilled flank steak served with farofa (toasted flour) and feijao (white beans) salad. But hope you won't mind, tonight I'd like to give a go to the brand new Robalo (HKD 290) fish instead: a super tender sea-bass roasted in banana leaf and served with fried bananas. That's yummy!
Looking for a place with cool vibes, great food to share, super reasonable prices and funky cocktails? Think Brazil, think São Paulo, think Uma Nota !
Uma Nota
38 Peel Street, Central
This write-up is based on a media dinner hosted by Uma Nota (no monetary compensation).