Monday 27 August 2012

Fine Dining in Porto de Mos

Senses restaurant is situated at the Cascades Hotel near to Porto de Mos. Chef Luis Batalha produces stunning combinations of flavours and colours.

Our starters included, lime and papaya soup with scallop ceviche, hot and cold tiger prawn with sesame and asparagus salad. For main we tried the turbot in crispy herb blanket with spinach risotto and a canneloni of chickpea pure in roasted red pepper. All were beautifully presented in this stylish restaurant with good service.
Our waiter kindly provided us with a range of wines to try before we decided on a bottle of 2010 Casa de Santar Reserva from the Dao region. This white wine was dry with a mineral finish and worked well with the fish.

Sunday 26 August 2012

O Camilo, Lagos, Portugal

This contemporary restaurant was opened just over a year ago on the site of the original rustic version which operated as a family business for over 30 years. Now run by the son, Francisco, the new version, designed by a prominent local architect is modern and stylish with beautiful views across the bay towards Portimao.
The food is equally impressive with a wide variety of fresh fish on display including John Dory, Seabass, Bream, Red Mullet, Snapper and Alvor Oysters
We enjoyed Linguado (Sole) which was simply grilled with fresh vegetables and tasty potatoes in butter, garlic and oregano. Francisco recommended a Douro white wine which was well rounded and matched the fish perfectly. We enjoyed our meal at O Camilo and judging by the numbers in the restaurant so did a lot of other people.

Tuesday 21 August 2012

Quality shellfish at O Cantinho Algarvio

Lobster and crab from the live tank at this quality restaurant in Lagos, Portugal. The lobster is simply grilled with a little butter. The crab is dressed with chopped pickles, mayo and a little bit of beer ! Delicious.

Tuesday 7 August 2012

Great seafood at The Orange in Pimlico



Just eaten a lovely meal at The Orange in London. Delicious Carlingford rock oysters to start which were creamy with a good mineral finish complemented with a glass of Provençal rose wine. It's lemon wedges only for me with oysters as I feel that the shallot vinegar option swamps the flavour.
Main was Hake fillet on cauliflower purée with broad beans, spaghetti and pancetta. Hake was cooked to perfection (not overcooked and slightly translucent). Great cuisine from head chef Nigel and good service from Jono thanks.


Hake fish comes from the same order (Gadiformes) as cod and haddock. The only Hake species that is considered not to be over-fished is Cape hake, which is found in Zone 47-Namibia, according to the Worldwide Fund.