Restaurante Longevity Cuisine by Olivier

The new spring -summer menu includes a tofu dish, for those wanting an alternative to meat or fish. The atmosphere is a mixture of “classic traditional” with contemporary furniture, but what stands out more than anything is the spectacular view over the hillsides.

We should add too that the service is exceptional: very professional, but human and relaxed at the same time (not restricted to normal hotel formalities). The first little delicacy to arrive at the table was the “Sample of Algarve tastes” (€2.50) – a selection of breads, biological olive oil from Moncarrapacho, Ria Formosa “Flower of Salt” and a pâté of the day.

To simplify things, we chose the taster’s menu - €85 per person (for a minimum of 2 people), with seven hot and cold starters, soup and a main dish of one’s choice. Now, there’s a spring version of this, at the reduced price of €42 per person. The result is a festival of tastes and colours, with chef Stechmesser flamboyantly demonstrating what he does best (see photos). Absolutely perfect for a special occasion!

To accompany the meal, a cool Algarvian rosé «Barranco Longo» at €12 per bottle. We chose two main dishes: low temperature cooked fresh cod fish fillet served with chick pea purée, sautéed turnip tops and hazelnuts and sautéed rabbit loins served with sweet potato purée, Portobello mushrooms and sugar peas with cherry tomatoes.

For dessert, our host Vasco Pragana suggested the house speciality: lemon-thyme crème brulée (made with milk, eggs, sugar and vanilla) with homemade strawberry sorbet. And, finally, we were presented with port wine and little cakes. What more can we say?