Food - PaperMoon

from WHEREVER Magazine, Lisbon - The STYLE Issue

Food - Casa do Lago

SOMETHING

CLASSIC A quintessential address in Quinta do Lago, keeping up with the times.

This is definitely my kind of restaurant. As much to do with the menu as with the setting. Having the water on either side of us is definitely something special. Look to one side and you’ll see Quinta‘s famous Lake, complete with a 50th anniversary celebratory extra ‘golf hole’! Look to the other side, and there is the beautiful Ria Formosa.

It’s the perfect place to catch sundown and kick back in an environment which is both chic and relaxed. This is a tricky balance to achieve, being both friendly and warm and laid-back, while still staying elegant.

When we visit it’s the early dinner service so the place is packed with families. It’s cosy and informal, which suits me just fine. The happy vibe coming from all the families on holiday is a good thing to be absorbing! At 6 p.m. it’s the perfect temperature with a light breeze. The staff is very upbeat and smiling – perhaps the wholesome atmosphere rubbing off on them too? Either way, it’s great to see.

On the menu, we pick the usual suspects – a tuna tartare which is fantastically savoury with a hint of sweet orange. It’s smooth and the tuna is definitely the top grade. I love the perfect blend of salty soy and sweetness . We also try the cod croquettes that have been freshly deep fried, with an excellent tartar sauce. The capers add that perfect crunchy sharp twist that I’m a total sucker for. As for the details, the ‘couvert’ bread basket is moreish, while the house rosé wine is a QMF, a firm favourite.

Can I just go back to the view? Being surrounded by nature is definitely something special and the decor is utterly relaxing too. The recent refurbishment is all about that beach chic vibe. The pale grey chairs and wooden tables blend perfectly with the soft blue tones and greens all around us. The terrace is covered by a forest of white parasols, somehow rather snazzy in itself.

For mains, we have a great steak with homemade mashed potatoes with a hint of onion and a delicious grilled seabass with lemon butter sauce, a few new potatoes and grilled cherry tomatoes. It’s so simple but actually so delicious it doesn’t leave space for much more. However, we do squeeze in a passion fruit cheesecake, which is excellent. The light lemony mousse sits on a perfect biscuit topping. It’ll be worth coming back just for that. Or the view. Or the staff. Or the steak. Or the seabass. Or the setting. RCA. Find out more at @casadolagoqdl