Restaurante Azores Wine Company | Restaurante Pico — Restaurant in Madalena

It‘s a gem. Rather spontanously we decided to book a table there. I don‘t know what we expected, but whatever it was, it was well exceeded. The Restaurant only offers a few seats at tables and a couple around the kitchen where you can watch and see live what the kitchen crew produces. We had the 6 coursw menu with 5 different wines, from which there were three whites, one red and one Dessert wine. You can Tell that there goes a lot of thinking and passion into the menu and the Selektion of the wines. You get an explanation with every course and every wine. The use of mainly local products from the Acores goes through the whole menu. The star(s) for me where the fish starter which was fish belly, sth I‘ve never had before and was executed to perfection. The fish course was tuna on a spinach creme + seaweed. I personally think that you won‘t find much better tuna than this. If (and it‘s a tiny If) there is room for improvement, it’s the timing between courses and wines. It felt a bit rushed at times. If there was one wine that stuck with me, it was the Red (Proibida) with the meat. Left me a bit confused, because I didn‘t quite know where to put it. It worked nicely with the course, don‘t really see it as a standalone wine, might try anyway, it surprised me once,...

We did the 6 course tasting experience - a kind of magic. The website does refer to 'a sharing table at the Pico Table' but we were surprised to see that we were sharing the table with 2 other couples. For us personally, on a fine dining dinner experience like this, we want to spend it privately together - not with 4 other people we don't know so closely on a table. However, the staff were super accommodating when we requested to sit on our own. They put us on the kitchen bar so we could overlook the chefs cooking - and this really added to our experience. So I would recommend asking to sit at the chefs bar (although the Pico Table is gorgeous). The staff and the chefs were lovely - very knowledgeable and they really do incorporate all things Azore islands and local to the menu and experience. There were 1 / 2 courses which weren't to our taste which is why we're giving 4 stars - but I understand you can't please everyone for all 6 courses!

Overall it was a great experience - the view, the restaurant, watching the chefs at work and the food. So I would recommend it but wouldn't do it again - purely because we ate meals we loved just as much locally and for a...

We were told about this place by our airbnb host and arrived with no expectations or understanding of what we were walking into. Firstly the room is breathtaking, it is an experience alone! We ate after dark so missed the views, but the darkness outside created this magical experience inside our glass box. The food was exceptional, everything from the islands, not a single course disappointed, but the star for us was the sea bream and rice; it was one of the most delicious things I have eaten in a very long time…or could that be the bread and butter?!?!? The service is personal, informative and passionate, but never overwhelming, everyone, including the chef and kitchen staff came to talk to us about them and what we were eating and drinking. Ohh, and how can I forget the wine, such variety, our favourite; Canada do Monte, which smelt of the sea, it was spectacular. A kind of magic indeed! Thank you for the most wonderful last night on Pico, we will...