t is a different type of dining:
The owner is also a head waiter and the only staff that you will see. Reportedly, the chef is his wife but you will not see her. There is no menu: he would be just bringing different dishes and pair them with wine. Sounded great.
We made reservation in the morning in person and the owner was overly friendly and even insisted on us tasting some great port wine. He spoke English better than many, asked what kind of food we like etc. He wrote our names down and asked if we were Americans. The second we confirmed his face changed and we left till 8pm .
When we walked in he was flying between 2 occupied tables (there are all together 4) bringing great looking food, pouring wine and making jokes. We were not greeted but just pointed to the 3rd table (we were the last for the night).
After half hour he stopped by with a basket of bread and just asked "red or white?" (Wine, that is). Wine was long gone by the time we were finally served sausage and NOT offered more wine. Half hour later he dropped off roasted pork. From that point on he had not brought any more food like to other tables - he just pretended we were not there. Tables were close to each other so we overheard "americano' when he looked at us and spoke Portuguese to the customers.
We had no plans for the rest of the evening so we just waited to see what his game was. He approached us at 10:55 after 2 other table vacated and with announcement "restaurant is open 8-11) dropped the bill (high-ish for food we had).
So all those great reviews are true but for God's sake don't be American if want to experience "friendly service with great food". read more
