Perched in the hills above Braga, the unassuming facade of Dona Julia is a 180-degree about face from its luxuriously modern interior. From almost every angle, windows, mirrors and shiny surfaces scream expensive. Tables large enough that they never become overcrowded with service ware. Chairs so comfortable that you don't want to leave. City and courtyard views.
One might think that with all the glitz and glamour, the food and wine might take a back seat, but that is not the case. The menu is carefully curated - and does not overwhelm - with selections of mostly Portuguese cuisine. And because this is Portuguese cuisine, it tends to be rather simple fare, not haute cuisine. Servings are ample in the Portuguese tradition. The dishes are fresh and inspiring. There is a solid list of excellent wines to complement any meal.
I would have given the restaurant 5 stars were it not for the desserts. Here Dona Julia falls short. They weren't bad, but they all tasted like they were prepared off premises with no thought given to the venue in which they would be served. They were only one step above the local pastelarias. A bowl of ice cream would have been a better choice to top off the incredibly delicious meal.
In keeping with the ambiance, the meal and the wine, service was excellent. It definitely overshadowed the underwhelming desserts. And although the restaurant looks very expensive, I did not find the prices to be exorbitant. Perhaps that's because I'm an American and everything in Portugal is so much less expensive. I look forward to a return visit to Dona Julia to enjoy both the food and the ambiance. read more
