This is our favorite restaurant in Portugal! We came last year and celebrated American thanksgiving here. So this time, my queen having just had a birthday, we celebrated again!
The restaurant builds the menu daily based on what's fresh in the market, the mood of the chef with input from the team, grounded in traditional Portuguese cuisine with a whimsical flair and a ton of LOVE.
No menu so please strap in... don't over think it, and enjoy the ride! A meal you don't choose but won't regret , an experience you will remember for a lifetime and maybe forge friendships that will remind you how small the planet is and how great food, in a convivial atmosphere binds us together... with love.
Ana was having an off night tonight so instead of waiting for the restaurant to be completely full, she hoisted complimentary shots of homemade hootch early. I think she needed it to get her groove on.
Close to the last course the master chef passing us on his way for a quick smoke and recognized us. It was on... like donkey Kong! Ana now remembering us (we pulled out pictures) had me pick the music on Spotify just like the last time. So I selected Thievery Corporation and that not only got the patrons swaying, but Ana was reanimated, high 5ing everyone cracking jokes...Ana said before we leave, chef Pedro has a special gift just for us.
The restaurant is totally full of American tourists.. somehow the word is getting out! This I'll soon be a Michelin star restaurant. And it's very satisfying to be able to say we knew y'all back in the day.
Anyway we started getting dirty looks from all the americanos when dessert arrived and Ana brought to just the two of us, sparkling glasses of Port wine. Compliments of the chef. So I rubbed it in and hoisted my glass to announce to the kitchen,
"Saúde Chef Pedro e a equipe, muito Obrigado!!!"
That got Chef Pedro to come over one more time, I think because he must have thought I spoke Portuguese. We figured out he was asking if we want any more of tonight's menu. Bae understands more than me said "ah não obrigada... "rubbing her belly. "Very full. Everything was muito delicioso."
Bloody hell, I would have taken two of those braised beef cheeks to go! The most decadent rich and bursting with flavor piece of meat ever! Finger cut worthy. Yep I could cut it with my finger let alone a spoon.
in Portugal, when locals pay they submit their tax Portugal tax ID (NIF) because it's a good practice and somehow it's tied to the economy etc. So when Ana gave us the bill, and I asked to include our NIF she' got reinvigorated again. Big eyed mouth open aghast.
"heck Ana it's your fault we moved from California... this is our favorite restaurant in the world! So of course we moved here."
To which Bae leaned in saying "so how do we get in with no reservations?"
"Don't worry about it" as she whipped out a pen and card writing a number.
"Anytime you guys want just call me, you are family now!"
This is how they role in Portugal baby,! read more