Losing your phone coupled with flights getting cancelled in another country is hell. Let me start by saying that I would NOT recommend that. However…After walking back from a police station in the warm streets of Faro. I came across this beautiful intimate restaurant called Alameda with an open kitchen and terrace… I had to have a look.
Excuse the quality of the photos... these were shot on my iPad as I had no phone :)
I could see an open kitchen, clean and sophisticated decor that honestly seemed so inviting. After glaring at the menu outside, their host invited me in and you know what? Considering the past 24 hours I’d had, something in me decided that I deserved oysters. The title of this blog is tickling me because Alameda helped me discover that oysters go really well with lime, more so than lemons but I digress!
The welcome was fabulous, their concept works through tasting menus with a very small choice of a la carte and truth is, because I was still emotionally charged, I didn’t have much appetite so I opted for their oysters and bread course.
Their service from the beginning was exactly why I believe dining experiences are more than food. Alameda’s host didn’t know the kind of day I’d had but the way they treated me so well and paid attention to detail which made me feel so much better. It’s what I needed and what we all deserve when dining out, no matter what day we’ve had.
Now let me tell you… the tableware and decor in this place was every bit of me. Everything down to the menu was so well thought out and elegantly presented. The menus were in leather notepads with handwritten letters from the chef and owner. It’s truly the little things that make an experience and even though I was only going in for a couple of courses, I truly felt like I got to experience a journey through the attention to detail, atmosphere and service.
I instantly understood why they rightfully earned their spot on the Michelin guide and it is definitely more than looks in this restaurant
To drink, they had an extensive wine list but I opted for their house mocktail which was light and refreshing, undertones of elderflower and cucumber, beautifully chilled and crisp with a slight sparkle at the end.
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I could not contain my excitement when the oysters arrived. Served with eucalyptus ponzu and lime, these oysters changed my life. I couldn’t help but do a happy dance. I’ve never had oysters that were so plump and juicy, the ponzu and lime paired with the brininess of the oysters perfectly. I could’ve eaten 20 of these. The most perfect balance of salt, acidity and sweetness.
Now for the bread course… Where do I begin? The presentation was something magical consisting of a jigsaw puzzle that only a true artist could come up with. They served homemade sourdough and butter; warm and fresh, the sourdough crisp but not so much to where its cutting the roof of one's mouth (if you know you know). Their butter had the print of Alameda on it which I loved, it's the little things!
The bread has the perfect chew and yeast aroma, I absolutely loved it. They serve their bread with Portuguese olive oil and my word… I thought I knew good olive oil but I was quickly reminded of how greatly the Portuguese do it.
This course is served with tuna muxama and homemade crackers. The tuna shocked me as it was almost like a fish prosciutto and after doing my googles, that's basically what it is. Highly on brand for a restaurant in Portugal as they’re well known for their quality fish. Smoked tuna loin, cured and thinly sliced. I definitely took the opportunity to make a tuna sandwich bite using the butter with sourdough, delicious. I preferred it this way rather than on its own, personally.
They also served these crisps that I assume were homemade crackers. It was a great textural element to the platter especially as the tuna melted in the mouth so easily, the crunch brought the textures to life. I thoroughly enjoyed this course and it was genuinely so filling too. I wish I had the stomach to eat more but it wasn’t that kind of day.
This restaurant gets a high and well deserved 4.8/5 in my book and that’s on just two courses. If I am ever back in Portugal I’ll definitely be opting for the tasting menu! Highly recommend it!
Thank you for reading my review and I look forward to sharing more with you!
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Namaste x