PORTUGAL - ALGARVE - MONTE REI GOLF CLUB - RESTAURANTE VISTAS -
One Michelin Star
RESTAURANTE VISTAS
We had a short hop over the border into Portugal for a round of golf at Monte Rei Golf & Country Club. The course is set on over 400 hectares in the East Algarve countryside, this refined country club with villa accommodations is 9 km from the Praia da Manta Rota beach and 13 km from Castle of Castro Marim.
We topped off our afternoon on one of Europe's best golf course with dinner at Restaurante Vistas, set with stunning views over the course. We were warmly welcomed and the professionalism of the waiting staff stood out all night.
The quality of the food is probably worthy of a Michelin star. The talented young chef, Rui Silvestre, produces a very inventive and creative cuisine with many flavours.
We had the delightful Ocean Promenade tasting menu (€90 per person) as follows.
The Tide, a dish of cornflour, chopped clams and parsley sauce
Taco of scarlet shrimp from Tavera
Braised mackerel and Algarvian Salad on top of imitation mackerel.
Razor Clam with edible shell made from cornflour and seaweed.
John Dory Sashimi and stone crab, chives and combo (a citrus fruit from haiti).
Scrambled egg form with truffles and bacon.
Tuna loin from Ortro, Oyster from "Moinho dos ilhéus", wasabi and cauliflower cream.
John Dory, taggiasca olive, Lemon, artichokes and tomato and fennel emulsion
Roasted line-caught red mullet, onion compote, seared langoustine, squid ravioli and harissa sauce
Coconut base, chocolate, pina colada foam and an edible red flower.
Pennyroyal and frozen beetroot crumble
Three textures of Lemon, blood orange & lemon mousse, creamy citrus fruit, passion fruit sauce and lemon ice cream.
Dark chocolate with salt and caramel (fantastic!)
White chocolate with lemon
Dark chocolate with passion fruit.
We had excellent service from our head waiter, Manuel, all night.
The wines came from two of Lisbon's sub-regions, the first being from Bucelas, which the Duke of Wellington helped popularise in London after he discovered them while fighting in the Peninsular War as he could not get any from the Duero. These wines were also served at Buckingham Palace until 1980.
They were served by the excellent and informative sommelier, Nuno.
A flute of Quinta do Boição
Espumante Quinta do Boição Cuvée (the sparkling wine from The Lisbon sub-region of Bucelas, made in the traditional method). The white wines from here are known for their fresh, mineral flavour made from the Arinto grape)
Try dinner outside, on a summer night and enjoy the amazing views, just beware of the mosquitos!
RESTAURANTE VISTAS
Monte Rei Golf & Country Club Sitio Do Pocinho, Sesmarias, 8901-907 Vila Nova de Cacela, Portugal +351 281 950 950 www.monte-rei.com
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