Kulinarium — Restaurant in Lagoa

What a great little unexpected find and change of pace. One of the best meals I’ve had in Portugal.

The way this chef builds flavor in his dishes is truly masterful. Everything was made with great love and care. He is also a wonderfully gracious host as was (I believe) his daughter.

Side note: he offers cooking courses online and in person. After this meal I’m seriously considering taking a series.

As soon as I experienced the well honed balance of fat and acidity in the starter of bacon, chicory and orange slices, I knew I was in for a real treat. It was bright yet savory; a very light fresh dish.

The pork cheek and lamb was fork tender with a pleasing outside texture as well. The sauce and vegetables all seasoned and cooked to perfection. It was warming and restorative on a cold evening in late November.

The mousse was rich, dark chocolatey and thick enough it took just a tiny bit of effort to move your spoon through. The use of salt (he features a variety of homemade salt) and amazing texture really set it apart. Do not miss this one.

And lastly, for a meal of this caliber it is an incredible value. It was roughly 50 euro for wine, starter, main, dessert, port and...

We enjoyed our dinner in Carvoeiro at Martins Kulinarium. Booking a table online was incredibly easy, and I even received a prompt confirmation message directly from Martin. The restaurant's location was conveniently within walking distance from the city center. It's a family-managed establishment adorned with beautiful art pieces and various merchandise available for purchase at the front.

Upon arriving and taking our seats on the lovely front patio, Martin himself greeted us warmly. While he oversees the restaurant, mom and brother work diligently in the kitchen, and Beatrice efficiently manages the tables. The restaurant offers a weekly menu, adding an extra touch of uniqueness to the dining experience. The presentation of the dishes was delightful, boasting freshness, deliciousness, and notably generous portions. We found ourselves pleasantly full, with no room left for dessert.

To top off our wonderful dining experience, Beatrice graciously offered us a taste of port wine. Thank you Beatrice!

If you're in the area, I highly recommend visiting Martins Kulinarium –...

The food, atmosphere and service were all absolutely perfect. For starters we've had the strawberry & rucola salad and cod with kale & cottage cheese which were a delight, even for those who would never think to combine those ingredients. For mains, we've had the veil snitzels & salmon steak - portion sizes were really filling, even if you go for the smaller option. We couldn't help but share a dessert which topped off the already amazing meal, with a peach cheesecake. Personally, i am not a fan of fruit in desserts, but this cheesecake completely changed my mind, served with whip cream, the dish was the perfect combination of sweet and refreshing. Overall, a very pleasant evening in two, cannot wait for our next visit. *The prices are also very reasonable, usually for this type of dining experience you would get charged way more in a more...