If you are following our adventures through the wine regions of the world, you probably know that I left Portugal with a bitter taste in my mouth when last I visited it in March ( to read the whole story: http://thewinehub.blogspot.com/2011/03/what-were-you-thinking-maria-joao-de.html ) Well, this time I was invited to participate at the "Concurso Nacional de Vinhos" in Santarem and everything was different. It was great to be in Portugal again...
On the first day of my trip last week, I had the opportunity to go to Solar dos Presuntos in Lisbon... It was so good that I went there twice in one day! Yes, wonderful food with plenty of good wines for both lunch and dinner.
It was recommended by my good friend Andre Ribeirinho - Adegga http://www.adegga.com – and it couldn’t have been any better.
For lunch I was joined by my mentor at the Institute of Masters of Wine, Patrick Farrell MW (the only other to be present at dinner as well), Lousie Hurren – “Love That Languedoc” http://love-that-languedoc.com/tag/louise-hurren – and Carrie Jorgensen – Cortes de Cima http://cortesdecima.com .
For dinner we had a different group. After attending an amazing tasting at the IVV (Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho – more on that coming soon), Roy Hersh – “For The Love of Port” http://www.fortheloveofport.com – Paul White, Andre Ribeirinho and Patrick Farrell MW took some of the precious leftovers (very old Madeira, etc) from our tasting at the IVV and headed to a memorable evening. Below some of the pictures of the first day of (what turned out to be) a fantastic week in Portugal. Here is a little story about the restaurant:
Solar dos Presuntos - Your home since 1974
“Whoever comes into this home, enters their own home”. This was the feeling prevailing back on 31st October 1974 when Solar dos Presuntos first threw open its doors. And that is how it remains after some three decades dedicated to the very best traditions in Portuguese cuisine with a Minho inspiration. Well over a quarter of a century of not so much serving clients but rather receiving friends. Because we believe that eating is an act of affection and serving is proof of that friendship. Hence the reason we attend each client with the dedication, refinement and the warmth with which we welcome a friend. Throughout over thirty years, the specialties we restored from one of the longest traditions within the scope of Portuguese gastronomy have gained their due recognition from the cream of national and international critics. However, true recognition comes with the familiar smiles of those who visit us with all the feeling of returning home. These are our true friends, the family that inhabits the memory of this house that they choose as their own. Those who have helped us in building a place of memories, stories told and retold, of bonds built up out of trust and affection. This family welcomes many of the leading personalities from the intellectual, artistic, social, political and sporting life of Portugal. Renowned figures who honor us with their presence and leave us with the pleasing sensation of participating in the ongoing, contemporary Portuguese history, taking place at our table. This is the history of this house. A history made up out of the stories, the moments, the paths that have crossed and once encountered then reencountered. A history that hangs upon our walls and that helps ensures this house is that little more intimate, that little more special. This is the history of a family always available to welcome one more friend. In a home that is also their own. With the door always open and a seat at the table always awaiting. May it always remain so!” To know more about them: http://www.solardospresuntos.com/CONTACTS/tabid/117/Default.aspx
Cheers,
LA
www.TheWineHub.com
On the first day of my trip last week, I had the opportunity to go to Solar dos Presuntos in Lisbon... It was so good that I went there twice in one day! Yes, wonderful food with plenty of good wines for both lunch and dinner.
It was recommended by my good friend Andre Ribeirinho - Adegga http://www.adegga.com – and it couldn’t have been any better.
For lunch I was joined by my mentor at the Institute of Masters of Wine, Patrick Farrell MW (the only other to be present at dinner as well), Lousie Hurren – “Love That Languedoc” http://love-that-languedoc.com/tag/louise-hurren – and Carrie Jorgensen – Cortes de Cima http://cortesdecima.com .
For dinner we had a different group. After attending an amazing tasting at the IVV (Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho – more on that coming soon), Roy Hersh – “For The Love of Port” http://www.fortheloveofport.com – Paul White, Andre Ribeirinho and Patrick Farrell MW took some of the precious leftovers (very old Madeira, etc) from our tasting at the IVV and headed to a memorable evening. Below some of the pictures of the first day of (what turned out to be) a fantastic week in Portugal. Here is a little story about the restaurant:
Solar dos Presuntos - Your home since 1974
“Whoever comes into this home, enters their own home”. This was the feeling prevailing back on 31st October 1974 when Solar dos Presuntos first threw open its doors. And that is how it remains after some three decades dedicated to the very best traditions in Portuguese cuisine with a Minho inspiration. Well over a quarter of a century of not so much serving clients but rather receiving friends. Because we believe that eating is an act of affection and serving is proof of that friendship. Hence the reason we attend each client with the dedication, refinement and the warmth with which we welcome a friend. Throughout over thirty years, the specialties we restored from one of the longest traditions within the scope of Portuguese gastronomy have gained their due recognition from the cream of national and international critics. However, true recognition comes with the familiar smiles of those who visit us with all the feeling of returning home. These are our true friends, the family that inhabits the memory of this house that they choose as their own. Those who have helped us in building a place of memories, stories told and retold, of bonds built up out of trust and affection. This family welcomes many of the leading personalities from the intellectual, artistic, social, political and sporting life of Portugal. Renowned figures who honor us with their presence and leave us with the pleasing sensation of participating in the ongoing, contemporary Portuguese history, taking place at our table. This is the history of this house. A history made up out of the stories, the moments, the paths that have crossed and once encountered then reencountered. A history that hangs upon our walls and that helps ensures this house is that little more intimate, that little more special. This is the history of a family always available to welcome one more friend. In a home that is also their own. With the door always open and a seat at the table always awaiting. May it always remain so!” To know more about them: http://www.solardospresuntos.com/CONTACTS/tabid/117/Default.aspx
Cheers,
LA
Luiz A. G. Alberto
www.TheWineHub.com
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