"Marcio Shihomatsu, the executive chef and founder of Shihoma Pasta Fresca, worked on his pasta skills at Italian restaurants in Canada for years and spent time in Italy to learn all the ins and outs. In Vila Madalena, his no-frills, garage-like restaurant creates traditional recipes with hints of modernity, like the cappellacci stuffed with polenta and braised pork knuckle or the agnolotti with chicken liver pate and sauteed mushrooms finished with butter and wine. For the purists, there are also classics such as amatriciana and beef lasagna on the menu." - Rafael Tonon