Blind Restaurant, 2024.
Chelsea Frank
Travelers have long celebrated Portugal’s stunning landscapes, world-famous Douro Valley port wine and warm hospitality, but the country’s tourism has dramatically surged in popularity in recent years. Thanks to its generous visa programs, the country has attracted a wave of digital nomads and retirees who yearn for a different kind of lifestyle—one built around an appreciation for antiquity, fado and good fine and wine.
You could easily spend weeks in Portugal without ever making a reservation, wandering into charming mom-and-pop taverns and still enjoying incredible meals of fresh seafood, homemade sourdough and local wines. The country’s casual dining scene is a delight, with hidden gems on every corner. But sometimes, you’re craving something more elevated—whether it’s for a special occasion, an appreciation of the artistry behind fine dining or simply a curiosity about what the country’s top chefs are creating. For those moments, these fine dining restaurants and drink spots offer an unforgettable experience that showcases Portugal’s culinary excellence at its highest level.
The country’s emphasis on fresh seafood, harvested from rivers, its vast Atlantic coastline and abroad (most of the famous Portuguese cod, I’ve learned, is actually from Norway!), forms the cornerstone of many signature dishes. However, the culinary influence from Brazilian, further European and American expats makes way for an interesting culinary scene. Whether you’re indulging in a meticulously crafted tasting menu or savoring a glass of vintage port, Portugal offers an unforgettable journey for every food and drink lover.
Lisbon’s Rocco touts an impressive collection of local and international wines.
Chelsea Frank
The Best Fine Dining And Drinks In Lisbon
Rocco
Rocco’s take on tiramisu is prepared table-side.
Chelsea Frank
Located inside The Ivens Hotel, Portoguese-Italian Rocco is a masterpiece in upscale dining. From the stunning decor that is worth visiting in both daylight and evening to truly appreciate the details, to the enthusiastic sommelier that will take you for a tour of their cellar if you show the slightest bit of interest, Rocco is an absolute must visit on your next trip to Lisbon. Order the tuna tartare, the lamb rack or the veal tenderloin steak with fois gras and truffled mashed potatoes. A wine pairing here is very much so suggested, as the cellar includes vintage wines that are truly something special, like the trio of Van Zellers & Co wines (the oldest port wine family in Portugal) I tried from 1860, 1870 and 1888. Also—it may sound strange, but their bathroom is so beautiful, you’ll want to stage an entire photoshoot in there.
SEM Restaurant
Sado oyster, sea fig, melon, kaffir lime, sea rosemary. Barbela sourdough, miso butter.
Chelsea Frank
A zero-waste, environmentally-conscious restaurant in the heart of Alfama, one of Lisbon’s oldest neighborhoods, SEM creates a dining experience that focuses on regenerative agriculture, low-intervention winemaking and responsible production. The walls are lined with jars of fermented products that are used in the dishes, a homestead’s fantasy land. Chefs George Mcleod and Lara Prado have created a stunning tasting menu, with highlights such as Sado river oysters (the team was excited to share that the oyster farmers are doing amazing work to regenerate oyster production) and black pork with acorn jus that was tender and juicy. I especially loved the menu’s “impact key” with corresponding numbers to the dishes so you can know if an ingredient is an invasive species, for example, or an up-cycled by-product. Their commitment to sustainability in fine dining is admirable, without compromising on flavor.
Boubou’s
Choose between 7 or 10 “moments” with optional wine pairings.
Chelsea Frank
Boubou’s is a family-run establishment located in Príncipe Real, just next door to the Botanical Garden of Lisbon. Created by Chef Louise Bourrat, winner of the French Top Chef in 2022, the menu is especially hospitable for vegetarians and vegans, with a tasting course option “TERRAE” that’s designed with only plants and algae. The plating is absolutely gorgeous with shapes that enhance the ingredients and even feel playful at times. Clear stars of the evening include the garlic and lemon oysters, sea bass with cockles and yuzu, sweet potato with leche de tigre and kaffir lime, and a CBD-infused dessert with green apple and panna cotta. It’s important to note that this dining experience is quite slow—it took us around four hours from start to finish, which was too slow in my opinion, even by European standards. It’s best to avoid hard post-meal plans and leave this experience as your only main event of the night.
The Kissaten
Select your favorite vinyls to accompany your pour.
CHARLIE MCKAY
Located inside Locke de Santa Joana, The Kissaten is Lisbon’s Japanese-inspired whisky and listening bar that recently opened in September from the team at Spiritland. Not only does the bar feature a curated selection of whisky by Dave Broom, the space is decorated beautifully, with moody lighting and velvet seating that feels sexy and intimate. Pick a vinyl from the extensive library to play and sip from an impressive menu that can accommodate whisky lovers or novices.
The Best Fine Dining And Drinks In Porto
Blind
Fois gras in the shape of cherries.
Luis Ferraz
Michelin-recommended BLIND is located inside the absolutely stunning Torel Palace Porto, a Portuguese literature and poetry-inspired 5 star hotel in the Palacete Campos Navarro, originally constructed in 1861 and re-designed by Isabel Sá Nogueira. Curated by Vitor Matos and chef Rita Magro (Red Book Young Chef of the Year Award), BLIND is a tribute to José Saramago’s novel “Ensaio Sobre a Cegueira” (Blindness). While at first glance, it may seem insensitive to create a restaurant around a disability, the actual intention is meant to pay homage to the senses, with unique touches like brail-lined walls that spell out “sensation,” locking up a dessert and burning the password and even blindfolding the guests for one of the courses. There were many elements of surprise, like the “Veggie McBlind,” a chickpea-based miniature sandwich that mimics a McDonalds burger. Many restaurants rely on gimmicks to make up for lackluster food, however, the experience of touch and sound only enhance and add a playful quality to the impeccable dishes presented.
Gruta
Barnacles, razor clams, mussels and a green vinaigrette made with coriander oil.
Chelsea Frank
With an entirely female kitchen and wait staff, Chef Caroline Giandalia wows with complex flavors, creative dishes and fresh ingredients in a cozy atmosphere. Located in a narrow alley just off of the popular shopping street Rua de Santa Catarina, Gruta’s minimalist setting allows the food to take center stage. The menu focuses mainly on seafood with both Brazilian and Portuguese influences—be sure to order the oysters, the crudo of cured wild croaker, prawns and fish moqueca. The couvert (house-made focaccia with fermented seaweed butter, tapenade and fish rillettes) is also a must, so you can soak up all the incredible sauces. This was one of our favorite meals of the entire trip, so be sure not to miss this!
Source link : http://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=66fb08642a604b18bc64ad2e976d1d30&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fchelseafrank%2F2024%2F09%2F30%2Fmichelin-stars-iconic-wines-portugals-best-fine-dining-experiences%2F&c=7069221588476725884&mkt=en-us
Author :
Publish date : 2024-09-30 11:39:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.