Julia Shlenskaya
Google
This place was recommended to us by a non-Portuguese, so we decided to give it a try. We sampled the ribeye steak, truffle mashed potatoes, ratatouille, port wine, and dessert. I should note that you really need to book this restaurant in advance because by evening it's fully booked.
Interestingly, despite this being a steakhouse, we liked the steak much less than the mashed potatoes, ratatouille, and dessert. We ordered the steak medium-rare, but it came out well-done. The edges were so dry and tough that they were almost like shoe leather, with only a small part in the center being juicy and flavorful. The truffle mashed potatoes were simply divine, melting in your mouth with just the right amount of truffle to enhance the flavor. The ratatouille was also juicy and complex, perfectly balanced without being over-salted or over-peppered. We nearly fought over the dessert — the desserts here are clearly excellent and worth ordering when you visit.
What I didn’t like, however, was the service. First, it wasn’t clear who our waiter was. Second, you couldn’t get a glass of water or sit at an unreserved table. The waiter who came to tell us about all these restrictions initially refused to take our order, but after 10 minutes, he returned and finally took it. On top of that, the tables are placed very close to each other, and smoking isn’t just allowed, but due to the close proximity of the tables, people will be smoking right in your face. All of this left a very unpleasant impression. Overall, this place left me with mixed feelings. I might return for some of the dishes, but if you want to have a comfortable time in a pleasant atmosphere, you might want to choose another place.
