Fortaleza do Guincho – Cascais, Portugal

Fortaleza do Guincho – dining with a view

Estrada do Guincho, 2750-642 Cascais, Portugal
+35 21 487 0491
www.fortalezadoguincho.com

Chef: Miguel Rocha Vieira

Hotel Fortaleza do Guincho is built on the site of a 17th century fortress and has amazing Atlantic Ocean views. The premises overlook the Portuguese surfers’ paradise, Guincho Beach. Restaurant Fortaleza do Guincho is the gastronomic restaurant of the hotel, located on the Estrada do Guincho in Cascais. Cascais is a small but famous beach town near Lisbon and famous for its great wind- and kitesurfing. Fortaleza do Guincho is located near the Cabo da Roca, which is the most Western point of Europe. Let’s say beginning of the European continent.

The building was originally built as a military fort in 1642, and in 1959 it has been transformed to a hotel and restaurant. It was fully renovated in 1998 and became member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux brand. The 5 star hotel impresses with its special location perched on a cliff above the mighty Atlantic Ocean and the amazing sunset views. From the main dining room all guests have a great view on the Guincho Beach with crashing waves and on Cabo da Roca.

For many years, restaurant Fortaleza do Guincho was known for its classical French cuisine. But few years ago the concept drastically changed with the arrival chef Miguel Rocha Vieira. The chef was born in Cascais but moved to London to study gastronomy at “Le Cordon Bleu”. After several stops in top restaurants in England, France, Spain and Hungary. In Budapest he opened the “Costes” restaurant, where he won the first and then only Michelin star in Hungary in 2010. He returned to his home town Cascais and transformed Fortaleza do Guincho in a new culinary mekka.

His philosophy gets inspiration from the Atlantic sea. His cooking style has strong Portuguese influences and he serves dishes based on the best quality national ingredients. Only the best Portuguese ingredients are good enough. The best quality of national products and the best quality fish and seafood from the nearby coast are always used in Vieira’s kitchen creations. The wine list is among the best offered in Portugal and covers wines from all regions of Portugal and off course also all other important wine countries.

We started the degustation menu with a glass of Espumante Quinta Do Valdoeiro from Bairrada with a blend of baga and chardonnay, a fine bubble with mineral and crispy acidity and hints of red fruit.

Amuses:

Puffed pastry filled with eel

Crispy rice with a fish brandade on a representation of the fisherman tradition – drying the fish in the net

Sweet potato with fish and herbs

Beer shot

Barnacles with wild mushrooms, seaweed, orange tartar, mayonnaise of oyster and powder of seaweed

Pepper filled with stew of fish from Guincho and a sauce of grilled peppers

Creative butter selection

Degustation menu:

Seafood: Algarve scarlet prawns carabinero with carrot textures, kumquat, powder kurkuma and a sauce from the heads.

Red mullet, sauce from the ink of cuttlefish and the inner parts of the cuttlefish, zucchini, puree and flowers of zucchini.

Red steamed sea bream, pearl barley like risotto, fennel, wild fennel, vinaigrette and fish sauce.

Mussel in an escabeche with cucumber, red onion and pepper.

Sirloin of black pork, terrine of the neck with young onions, pickled onions, puree of mais, grilled mais, sauce of roasted pork & pork feet. On the side a typical local dish: corn porridge with lemon and clams topped up with another porridge from the head of pork.

One of the best pré-desserts ever! Pine: raisin ice cream with chocolate & hazelnut bon-bon, pine crumble & pine cream.

Dessert on plums: fresh plum with a plum pudding, sorbet and merengue.

Mignardises 

The menu is a reflection of memories, heritage and a vast variety of Portuguese culinary traditions. Fortaleza do Guincho is the perfect stop for an unforgettable culinary experience. If you are near Lisbon and looking for delicious gastronomy combined with a unique hotel – special views – fine gastronomy, make sure to visit this culinary fort.

Be-Gusto

 

Be-Gusto score:                     8,7/10

Be-Gusto value for money: 8,7/10

Fortaleza do Guincho
Estrada do Guincho, 2750-642 Cascais, Portugal
Phone: +35 21 487 0491
www.fortalezadoguincho.com

Pictures by Belgian Taste Buds

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