Cantina Clandestina — Restaurant in Cascais

I wanted to try this lace several times until finally on a Saturday night I got a spot early evening. I always saw many folks waiting to be seated to thought it was good...Well it did not measure to expectations. Minus points Disappointing tiramisu..and they say they have an Italian owner.... It was just layers of lady finger with very little mascarpone and the cocoa powder they used was not pure coco...Not really sure where they forgot the velvety mascarpone or the marsala wine..One the most disappointing tiramisu I had in a while.I sent it back after 2 bites and still paid full price for it the pommes gratin is not really a gratin it lacked flavour ( no tijm, no garlic and lacks cheese layers) drowned in tomato sauce with the pork cheeks which also lack flavour.. they don t do justice to the ingredients the one slice of white mushroom I found among the ravioli truffle and porcini the lychee martini which was very boozy and not exactly very refined

Plus points Friendly staff nice vibe nice house wine by glass ravioli filling was spot on texture of ravioli was good but it can be improved. Try an make it nice and silky

I would not come back again and would...

We tried to eat here after it was recommended by several people for being family friendly (we have 1 child) with great food but we were treated like such an inconvenience. The restaurant had about 50% of tables open and no reservation signs on them but they made a big deal out of finding us a table. They also made a big deal that the kitchen wouldn’t open for another 5 minutes - we said it was not a problem to wait but they sort of huffed and puffed about it. We ended up going somewhere else. I would have liked to try this restaurant. I am disappointed that it didn’t work out.

Edit in response to the reply from the business: I am reassured by your finger pointing response that we made the right choice not to eat here. We arrived 5 minutes before 6, when the kitchen opens. We did not arrive at the end of a shift but at the beginning of one. If this is how the management does things, by trying to spin complaints into why the guest was actually in the wrong, then it’s clear why your staff acted the way they did. It seems like a problem in your business that has transferred from the management down...

Couldn’t recommend this place more !! The food is just EXQUISITE. We were hesitating whether to order three tapas but it was an excellent choice. I mean, the octopus was out of this world and trust me I have tried some in other countries and even in other cities of Portugal, but it was the most tender and perfectly seasoned octopus I have ever tried (big 🐙 fans here)!! The fried shrimps with guac and mango were a total explosion of flavours in your mouth, I have never tried mango in a salty recipe with such delicious flavours 10/10 also!! +1 for the originality 👌 And lastly the cripsy fried mixture of seafood was the cherry on top, not too oily and the sauces went very well with the crispiness. Last but not least, the COCKTAILS are worthy of an actual cocktail bar in the fanciest places, I had the Amarguinha which was one of the best Almond licor based cocktails I ever tried, and we also tried the Clandestino which was fresh and done with the same excellence. Thank you for this delicious and...