Eating with the locals in Portugal - northern edition (1 of 2)…read more It was later in the evening and I was laying my head down in Porto instead of Vila Nova de Gaia, which is atypical for me. I asked where to get some fairly priced and good grub that locals would definitely like. I was given this name - Capa Negra II - and, since they know they can be nasal and enunciate differently from the other Iberians, this young lady wrote it down for me. Capa Negra II was nearby and on the busy street that buses use to go from the Casa da Musica Metro over the Ponte Arrabida to the south shore. I had thus been by it numerous times. I took note that they offered many things, but are best known for their Francesinha. Even though Francesinha approximates "little Frenchie" in Portuguese, it is said to have been born in the Porto area. It is a sandwich inside which there are pressed layers of different pork and cured meats and it is covered in a complex sauce including cheese, tomato sauce, beer, port wine, spices, and then some. It is usually topped with an egg. They are very nice to look at, albeit almost decadent. I have a short history with the Francesinha. Years ago, I notice a place that looked like Capa Negra II and on that very same row of eateries that was hopping in the evenings and I went in there to get a Francesinha. (I don't know why that similar place is no longer open.) The sandwich was just like I have described above except that there were peppercorns in the meat that, in my opinion, were nasty and I had to open it up to work around them. It was thus the only time I had eaten a Francesinha. The waiter was mild mannered and I told him I only needed to verify one thing. I always try to put together some words in the local lingo because I want to ... and because I want to be far from being an "ugly American." I was adamant about there being no peppercorns in my Francesinha. I said something like, "Tem issas coisas pequenas negras e picante dentro a carne? ... nao quiero ... nao gosto." He quickly understood my issue and indicated there would not be any. Now, here, I was an idiot an asked for "batatas cocidas!" I should have just accepted the traditional fries that accompany the sandwich given how many times I've had Big Boy and Big Mac combos. I washed it all down with a soft drink. I was happy that I gave the Francesinha another chance. Mind you, you cannot do this often. It was robust, tasty, and, since you might eat only that, it will be filling without completely bogging you down. I liked the waiter and his politeness. The price was fair. The restaurant was modern, simple, comfortable, and airy, even though it was in the evening. Finally, there was a queue because it was full and you had to give the host your name. They stuck to it and got me seated quickly. I really appreciated the fairness and even handedness of all this and it's usually this way in Portugal, especially in its north. Their Francesinha is good and they have many other choices. It's not fine dining. I would almost describe Capa Negra II as a glassier modern tavern. There is another "branch" in the center and there may be more tourists at that one. I do like this newer part of the city, you will be eating with locals, and I recommend this restaurant.

October 12, 2023. Thursday. Dinner…read more Our first night in Porto and we decided to visit this joint. It was directly across from our hotel and seemed to be packed with locals. We waited about 10 minutes to be seated and every table looked to be full. Even the dining counters were full. This place reminded me of an American diner. Every waiter bustled to and fro and I think all of them were guys. Our waiter recommended a red wine blend (17 euros) called Quinta Crasto which turned out to be exceptionally delicious. The only problem was that the wine did NOT pair well with the heavy food. I ate a caldo verde (5 euros) a hearty, thick Portuguese soup with kale, chorizo, and potatoes. The soup tasted good, though I wished they included more chorizo. My wife ordered with the traditional Francesinha with egg and fries (14 euros). It looked like most people in the restaurant were ordering this. Her dish had lots of fries and was piled high. They are very generous with the food here and she left a few fries on her plate. I couldn't help her because I barely finished my bacalhau braga (23 euros). My dish came with fried cod buried in brown gravy, carrots and cauliflower, and lots of potato chips on the side. Basically a Portuguese take on fish and chips. The cod tasted light and amazing but the very filling, heavy food and wine didn't go well. I think a light, carbonated drink would go well with this food. Service was fast, food piled high and very generous, and the other diners were very comforting to see. Prices were low, so we visited here once more before leaving Porto.

Another great neighborhood find! This time an excellent seafood restaurant. But they offer o the…read moreitems as well. A very posh looking place inside with a long bar extending the length of downstairs. The service was excellent friendly and so welcoming from Moona (sp) she was very patient and spoke great English. Great house vino verde, to accompany awesome just what I was in the mood for seafood. Simply fabulous. Outro grande achado no bairro! Desta vez, um excelente restaurante de frutos do mar. Mas eles também oferecem outros itens. Um lugar muito elegante no interior com um longo bar que se estende ao longo do andar de baixo. O serviço foi excelente, simpático e muito acolhedor por parte da Moona (sp), que foi muito paciente e falava muito bem inglês. Excelente vinho verde da casa, para acompanhar o que me apetecia de marisco. Simplesmente fabuloso.

Food and service were first rate. It is a popular restaurant so get there early or make a…read morereservation. Comfortable surroundings. Good wine list

I just love this stop for a top notch bite! When you walk by, you would never know there is a gem…read moreof a patio hidden in the back. Surprise yourself and just go look. You will be engulfed with patio envy and probably stay. Dishes are high quality. Portion sizes larger. Prices are spot on. The chicken bowl I can't break away from. Cross of sweet, healthy, tangy, and pure pure love. The service staff is delightfully kind and they work very hard (gah those stairs outback too!). Also, ask about their desserts, they suggested this carrot cake (ish) dessert and it was worth the calories. Patio, desserts, relaxation, yum food, yum place.

Ate here a couple of times while in Porto visiting family. Lovely bougie place serving toasts,…read moreAmerican-style brunch, and burgers, among other things. I got the smoked salmon toast, which also came with salad and avocado. On another visit, I got the artisanal burger. Both were well done, tasty, and beautifully presented. Service was friendly but a tad inattentive. Had to go to the front to ask for things on both occasions. The interior is nicely decorated in a modern style, and there's a gorgeous back terrace and garden. Bathrooms: Clean and functional.

Wow. Great presentation, service, wine, and food. I had the grilled octopus. While Portugal…read moredoesn't partake in seasoning, the ingredients sing and the cook was perfect. The prosciutto board and bread were quite delicious.

The food is amazing! They different kind of daily menu everyday and I love their rice.read more

I was skeptical since none of reviews were newer than a year but good was fantastic and the service…read morewas good. Get the sardines of course, sea bass, prawns, and fish rice. All yummy.

Friendly service. Simple delicious food and a an excellent wine recommendation. This grilled…read moresardines were perfect.

This Was my introduction to Portuguese cuisine and has a very special place in my travelogue. The…read morehostess and server is ever so busy but always has a smile. The menu is evolving daily and listed and checked off as items sell out. Dishes come with the traditional side salad, potatoes, and beverage. I Hesitate to share this place as it is a treasure that you will discover when you pay your bill . it is affordable for the value and quality. Be kind and leave with a special sentiment that Portugal has to offer.

Great prices and amazing, fresh food! A must see place for authentic Portuguese cuisine!read more

Everything about this place is amazing! We had the sweet curry ice cream dessert which was out of…read morethis world! One on the best places I've been in a long time......

Incredible dinner that was the perfect start to our Portuguese food tour. The squid and the wine…read morewere incredible. Definitely recommend for the unique food and seafood.

We had an amazing dinner at Flow…read more It was a bit difficult to notice from the street but once inside, the space is a visual delight. The space is divided in three, with an indoor dining area, an enclosed terrace and a bar area. We sat in the enclosed terrace on a lovely night and our service was excellent. Some creative and well-crafted cocktails, classics, and an excellent wine menu are offered. The bartender was awesome and even made a special request Lemon Drop for my wife. The food was equally creative and delicious. As beautiful to look at as well as to consume! Foie Gras was unexpectedly presented and delivered on flavor. As a note, it paired perfectly with their Last Night Bourbon cocktail! Salmon Civiche was fresh and complex with layers of flavors. Wild Boar Lasagna was fantastic, and the Beetroot, Pistachio and Straciatella Ravioli was delicious but probably not for everyone. I loved it, but it was loaded with whole Pistachios, and raw beetroot slices. Odd texture, but still good. Portions were huge and no room for dessert. We would probably share a couple plates on a return visit, but will definitely be back!

Porto has no shortage of great food, and Flow is definitely high on the list. The ambiance ended up…read morebeing one of our favorites from all our meals in Porto, and the food was nothing short of extraordinary. We were able to snag a reservation without really knowing what to expect and we definitely were not anticipating this level of elegance! We ended up having a three hour dinner because everything felt so comfortable, peaceful, and lovely. I cannot recommend the sliders with quail eggs on top enough. My husband had the Iberian pork and really enjoyed it, and I absolutely loved my octopus. It was probably some of the best I have ever had. For dessert we had cheesecake and it was just as divine. If you want a dinner you won't forget anytime soon, definitely check out this place.