Salt of Portugal

07/10/2024

The outstanding white wines made at Vale da Capucha - Adega & Enoturismo are bringing international acclaim to the Torres Vedras region.

As we arrived at Vale da Capucha, a wine estate in Torres Vedras near Lisbon, a small, cute dog ran up to greet us. “His name is Arinto,” Manuel Marques said as he walked towards us, & #…

06/10/2024

There's a wonderful Port Wine event in Chicago on Monday, October 14th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm with some of our favorite producers. If you like port wine, check it out!

Get ready to celebrate Portuguese wines, gastronomy and culture at the one-night-only Port Wine Fest in Chicago on Monday, October 14th!

01/10/2024

It is worthwhile traveling to Estremoz just to dine at Michele Marques' wonderful Gadanha Mercearia.

When we asked our son, a chef by trade, what he wanted for his birthday, he answered without hesitation: lunch at Mercearia Gadanha in Estremoz. And so, on the day when we celebrated the arrival of…

26/09/2024

An enchanting short video about an extraordinary chef, Ana Moura, and her remarkable restaurant, Lamelas, on the picturesque Porto Côvo beach.

23/09/2024

It was wonderful to discover Xakra Beach Bar in Peniche.

There’s something about dining on the beach that makes the food taste even better. Perhaps it’s the salty breeze that stirs the appetite or the beauty of the ocean that awakens the senses. It used …

02/09/2024

Have you tried the wonderful bananas produced on Madeira Island?

One of the simple pleasures of life in Portugal is savoring the delicious bananas produced on Madeira Island. Portuguese sailors brought bananas from West Africa in the 15th century. By 1552, accor…

26/08/2024

If you dream of mingling with famous chefs and winemakers at a picturesque Douro Valley estate, email [email protected] to join the Douro Valley Heirloom Tomato Festival mailing list.

The tomato is a South American fruit that traveled to Europe on sailboats in the 16th century and, over time, conquered the cuisines of the Old World. Like travelers who adapt to foreign lands…

19/08/2024

Dining at Casario in Porto is truly a delightful experience.

Porto’s Ribeira district is always bustling with tourists snapping selfies and street performers vying for attention. Yet amid this lively chaos, there is a haven: a restaurant called Casario. This…

12/08/2024

You might not be familiar with António Magalhães, the chief viticulturist of the famed Taylor Fladgate Port Wine house, but if you enjoy exceptional port wines, you’ve likely experienced the fruits of his labor.

You might not be familiar with António Magalhães, the chief viticulturist of the famed Taylor-Fladgate port house, but if you enjoy exceptional port wines, you’ve likely experienced the fruit…

05/08/2024

Our fishmonger shares his recipe for Caldeirada.

João Branco owns a fish stall in the Lourinhã market where he sells the freshest fish and finest seafood. He knows a lot about the fruits of the sea because his family has been in the fish business…

29/07/2024

One of Portugal's best-kept secrets are the amazing old brandies produced by Quinta do Rol.

Lourinhã is one of the few regions demarcated to produce high-quality brandy, known in Portugal as “aguardente vínica.” Like Cognac and Armagnac, Lourinhã imposes strict rules on brandy production …

22/07/2024

A perfect picnic in the Douro Valley.

Victorian novels describe picnics where friends have a grand time, enjoying delicious food in idyllic settings. But real-life picnics seldom measure up to these literary accounts. Sometimes, the su…

15/07/2024

Secrets revealed: our favorite cornbread is from Pastelaria São Pedro in Torres Vedras.

Torres Vedras, a charming town near Lisbon nestled among hills planted with vineyards, is steeped in Portuguese history. Its castle helped defend the kingdom during medieval times, and the town ser…

08/07/2024

One of the Douro Valley’s ultimate experiences is visiting the iconic Quinta do Vale Meão.

One of the Douro Valley’s ultimate experiences is visiting Quinta do Vale Meão. While the estate is not generally open to the public, it does receive a few small groups each year. You can email in …

03/07/2024

Here is our list of destination restaurants in Portugal. Which restaurants are we missing?

In 1926, the Michelin Guide began classifying restaurants into “vau l’etape” (worth stopping), “vaut le detour” (worth going out of your way for), and “vaut le voyage” (destination rest…

24/06/2024

At Quinta de la Rosa you wake up to the sounds of boats gliding on the river and roosters singing, accompanied by a choir of birds. It’s wonderful to sit in the shade and enjoy the stunning landscape.

La Rosa was among the first estates in the Douro Valley to welcome guests. Over thirty years ago, several rustic houses were converted into accommodations, allowing visitors to stay amidst some of …

15/06/2024

A demo of a classic Portuguese guitar tune by the great Carlos Paredes reimagined for piano and violin (Rodolfo Vieira violin, Sergio Rebelo piano). What do you think? Should we record it in a studio?

A classic Portuguese guitar piece by the legendary Carlos Paredes, reimagined for piano and violin. Featuring Rodolfo Vieira on violin and Sergio Rebelo on piano.

28/05/2024

Casa Tradição, a Lisbon restaurant that surprises and delights.

Casa Tradição is located near Lisbon’s old cathedral, a neighborhood rarely visited by locals. The restaurant has rustic decor, so we went in expecting a traditional meal. But our waiter mentioned …