Among the ruins of what once was the Monchique convent, above the busy road that hugs the Douro river connecting Cais de Ribeiras to Foz in Oporto’s Massarelos district, is an intriguing restaurant offering innovative and soulful cuisine.Just finding this off-the-beaten track restaurant is an adventure: down a remote winding cobblestone street to the entrance, then take a candlelit passageway with the ruins on your right, and you arrive to Sessenta Setenta (literally translated 60/70, a pun on sit and try). The décor is modern minimalistic - exposed granite walls, warm wood floors, and mood lighting inviting you to linger, with a spectacular view across the Douro to Gaia, where the Port houses show off their lit up logos amidst sparkling lights of an urban night landscape. The food! I have enjoyed over and over again the appetizer patatu, a warm molded dish of tender fava beans, goat cheese, olive oil and herbs; followed by bacalhau dourado, a bed of sweet blanched onions moistened with golden mayonaise, topped with poached salt cod that is crowned with a savory egg-white meringue baked until just golden or dourado - a true taste and textural experience. The dense marquise de chocolate with a raspberry coulis is concentrated in flavor and a bite goes a long way. Spending time between the kitchen and the dining room, discretly refilling glasses with wine as he checks on the diners is chef Francisco Meireles, secretive and eccentric as the place itself. Rua Sobre o Douro, 1 A, Oporto Tel: 223406093
Cher lecteurs, à bientôt le blog sera traduit en français.....