nBox

Av. Sao Gabriel, 600

Itaim Bibi

11-7711-5655

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Although located an hour’s drive from the port city of Santos, nBox brings the best of shipyard chic 80 kilometers inland to Paulistano turf. Twelve stacked maritime shipping containers elegantly transform an empty gravel lot into a pop-up tapas bar/lounge/art exhibition space. Note to claustrophobics: Abundant skylights and high-ceilinged central seating area seamlessly alleviate any anxieties of a restriction-induced panic attack. nBox’s eclectic architectural proposal matches its equally bold objective of combining the quadruple Paulistano vices of alcohol, food, art and music under one maritime crate roof. Mojitos, cava and long-neck beers are the best bet on the booze front, while heavyweight Spanish tapas chefs Sergio and Javier Torres fuel hungry patrons with mash-up appetizers like Chinese soup spoons full of coconut/white chocolate mousse and bell pepper/tuna pinchos. You’re likely to bump shoulders with style-conscious, high-spending city residents whose transient and volatile tastes could only be accommodated by an itinerant temple to fleeting luxury. Space is docked until February 2011. Photos: William Maibashi