Akshay and I fell in love with Portugal the minute we got into our Uber at the Lisbon airport, and the driver forced some candies into my hand. The people here are just so nice, and to top it off, it’s such a beautiful country. Anyways, I will save all my thoughts on Portugal for another post! I am so excited to share our amazing experience at The Wine Cellar, where Akshay and I were invited to enjoy a nice lunch and wine pairing. As soon as we arrived, we were pleasantly greeted by Sylvia (head chef/owner) and Ricardo (wine sommelier), who made sure our experience was very memorable!
When speaking with Sylvia, she mentioned that The Wine Cellar is more focused on sharing and promoting its wine (and they have a huge selection as you can tell) since the kitchen is fairly small, which results in a limited menu. However, they take a lot of time thinking about each of the dishes that they do prepare, and I can vouch that they really do taste incredible!
The Wine Cellar is a cozy space that can sit up to maybe 8 tables. They also have an amazing display of all their wine. I loved the rustic design and the large open windows, which brought a lot of natural light in.
One of the things that I really appreciated here was how Ricardo took the time to explain each of the wines and why he chose to pair it with our meal. And even though we were there to blog about the restaurant, we could see his genuine passion carry through to other customers who were also enjoying a meal.
Now, let’s start talking about the food and wine!
Soalheiro Vino Verde: This wine is made from an Alvarino grape and is made in northern Portugal. It is a light, crisp, and refreshing drink and a perfect way to clear our palette and start our meal.
Charcuterie Board: On the board, there were an assortment of cheeses including fresh goat cheese, 4 month matured sheep cheese, 9 month matured cow cheese from Azores, and 9 month matured sheep cheese from Lisbon. They also added some nuts and pumpkin jam. I could not stop eating the 9 month matured sheep cheese because of its sharp, bold flavors. Also, since Akshay is lactose intolerant, they were sweet and brought out some cut ham for him. (Akshay’s note: lactose intolerance is a cruel, cruel curse when your favorite foods are cheese and ice cream.) I will admit we had a ton of charcuterie boards during our trip and this was my favorite ham yet!
Cod fish Foie Gras: Since I have officially categorized myself as a lifestyle blogger, which includes trying new foods, I realize it’s time to step out of my comfort zone. For those who don’t know what foie gras is, it’s liver, which normally gets mashed into a paste. I ate this like a champ and actually enjoyed it! (Akshay’s note: still shocked she tried it and liked it.) Compared to duck or pork foie gras, the texture of fish is very fluffy and light. Additionally, the caramelized onion with port wine sauce added a ton of yummy flavor.
Shortly after, Ricardo brought out another Alvarino wine. This one was more crisp even though it’s from the same grape. However, this wine is made in the Douro Valley.
Gambas Aguilho Prawns: This appetizer was shrimp tossed in butter, garlic and cilantro. As simple as it was, it was definitely one of our favorites! The ingredients were not overpowering, and it was light and easy to eat!
Chicken wings: Akshay and I have a mutual agreement when ordering wings. He eats the wings and I eat all the drumsticks! (Akshay’s note: right. “Mutual.”) That’s why we make such a great foodie team! Even though the wings did not have any breading, there was still a nice crunch to it. We were both pretty obsessed with the mustard and honey dressing that it comes with!
Ricardo paired our entrees with a red wine that would be described as fruity with vanilla flavors. This wine is from the Dao region and it’s very smooth and not too sweet.
Pork Cheeks: The meat is marinated 48 hours in wine and rosemary. It is then topped with crispy potatoes. I used to only do bacon and cold cuts, but over the last couple of years, I have actually grown a taste for other parts of the pig! The meat was really tender and you could really taste the flavors of the rosemary.
We were pretty full at this point and were pretty determined to pass on dessert. However, Ricardo insisted we try a sample of their chocolate cake and cheesecake. And even though we were stuffed, we some how managed to polish off the entire thing!
Ricardo brought out Kopke, a 10 year old port, which made us feel even more special! This port would be described as spicy with hints of dry nuts, caramel and vanilla. It was very complex and sharp, and paired well with these two desserts.
Thank you, The Wine Cellar, for an unforgettable meal in Lisbon! Check out their Facebook here. It’s definitely worth a visit, and they are so close to other great landmarks that are worth seeing. In fact, the photo I posted as the “featured” image is at the famous Pink Street, which is only 2 minutes away from The Wine Cellar.
That’s an awesome write up!! Brave girl- eating dishes made from organs of animals and fish. Definitely stepping out of your comfort zone!
hehe, that’s what happens when you marry someone is a bit more adventurous!