Arola

Another visit to the amazing and gorgeous Penha Longa Resort and this time to eat at Arola. This restaurant is one of the three restaurants that this resort has, along with Il Mercato e Midori (check the post about this one).

It is the only one outside the main building, the most modern too and best known for his wine cellar, vodka bar and menu by Sergi Arola (Michelin Star Chef).

The Menu was design by Sergi Arola but the food is made by Chef Milton Anes... and what a great work that he and his team do.

As usual the choice was the tasting Menu and it was an amazing experience... the food is delicious, the space perfect... everything spot on... and by the way! the restaurant has an open kitchen! always a plus.

So lets talk about this outstanding menu, shall we... 

Moules & Gin

Moules & gin is one of the three restaurant of this type in Lisbon.

Moules & Wine (The Father - located in Lisbon - LX Factory)

Moules & Gin (The older Brother - Located in Cascais)

Moules & Beer (The Younger Brother - Located in Lisbon - Campo de Ourique)

I give them this designation due to the drink that follow the moules.

As you already notice the moules are the star of this restaurant... based on a traditional Belgian dish... the moules are becoming very popular and the best part is that you can eat them with your hand (the best way and the only way for me)... The first time that I try this dish, as a dish, was in Belgium and even there ate them with my hand...

They also have a few meat dishes (two to be precise...) but the specialty is the moules and as you can see in his name the gin is also king.

Casa Mateus

Casa Mateus... The jewel of Sesimbra.

Sesimbra is a portuguese coast village famous for his amazing fish... and Casa Mateus is the perfect example of this passion for the fish and the local products.

This restaurant is very small (no more than 10 tables... very close to each other... the family spirit!!)... very familiar. The first thing that you notice when you came close to the restaurant are these amazing tiles in the facade of the restaurant.

From now on... my favorite place to eat in Sesimbra.

The food is outstanding... where the tradition meets the new... where traditional dishes get a new presentation (you will understand what I'm saying)...

Since I start talking about the food...

TABIK

The type of restaurant that was missing at Avenida da Liberdade... Fine dining that respects the Portuguese cuisine and all its traditional products without being innovative and creative.

The restaurant itself is very interesting... Right for all types of customer. We can divide the restaurant in three different areas. The back, much more reserved (that everyone can use), in the middle it is the Bar, tall tables and a great selection of gins and finally the entrance, a lot of light and for me best one. 

Before talking about the food I have to say that the service was perfect. Friendly people... Always tried and worried to know if everything was alright and if we are likening... And the best part was that the feedback that you give they make sure to pass the message to the kitchen.

Regarding the food... As you can notice from previous post Every time I can I choose the tasting Menu, and this time was no exception. So the menu has 6 dishes (2 starters, fish, meat, pre-dessert and dessert).

T'Chef

A restaurant with a lot to give and with potential... with pretty interesting dishes.

couvert

Once again... my favorite option in the restaurants - Tasting Menu. This type of menus are the ones who challenge the chef to keep every simple dish perfect... one mistake can ruin the entire experience. When you ask for it... everything is important (the food, the quality, the service, the timing between dishes, the environment... everything!)... Since this menus tend to last for a couple of hours.

So...  starting with the environment. The entire restaurant is very modern with quite a cool music, allowing a good conversation. The only thing that I didn't like was the radio music... despite the good music it was being transmitted through the English radio and... I'm not interested on the host comments.     

Great Staff... very friendly e pleasant and always worried to know if everything was good. Something they should always keep.

The quality is unquestionable!

The food...