Quinta do Quetzal — Restaurant in Vidigueira

Came as part of a group of 7 people last September, called the day before to make a reservation and was told that we could only be set at noon, and that we only had 15 minutes tolerance for arriving late. Later than that we could not be guaranteed a table. Arrived at 11.55 to find a dining room not ready to receive guests, the only server in sight was just finishing to set the table!!! During all the time we were there one more table( of two people) came for lunch. The room must seat around 50 to 60 people!!! The server did not bring menus to the table, until we ask to see them, but tried and succeeded in convincing us to order the fixed menu. The food wasn’t bad, but a very far cry from what was expected, with a very long wait before being served. As for service, we had to actually remind the server that red wine was included, or it would never made it to the table. We were of course given the least expensive labels to try. On the way out I mentioned to the reception not understanding the reason why we had been told that we could only be tended to at noon, since the place was empty!!! The explanation “ we had a cancellation “. Must have been an excursion that canceled. Anyway...., overall not a pleasant experience at all, not a place I would go back to...

Quinta do Quetzal is a resplendent experience of delicious delight; a hidden-gem beautifully nestled within the lush rolling hills of Alentejo. As a gastronomic foodie I savored the chef’s incorporation of fresh local produce and herbs from the garden, all perfectly paired with wine, white to red, the full bodied notes deliciously dancing on the palate with as much elegance & panache as the Vineyards namesake, an Aztec bird known for it’s grand colorful plume. As for the architecture, the organic design beautifully connects the interior with exterior in ways reminiscent to Frank Lloyd Wright, nature apart of the experience: For as I sat in restaurant with the sound of distant bird-singing my vision moved beyond the wall of windows & expanded out into the surrounding verdant vineyard & zenith of azure sunlit skies most delightedly. *An additional element well worth visiting (before/after lunch or wine tasting) was their free art exhibition, an allegorical curation designed to inspire thought; moving the viewer through time, from caves to Plato and beyond. To the Quinta do Quetzal creators & hospitable staff a sincere “Danke je,” & “Obrigada;” my experience through the heart of Portugal all the more enchanting by your...

A wonderful place to visit, it’s location provides sweeping views across the Beja Alentejo, and the best part is the wine tasting tour, with a wonderful explanation of the history and sustainability of their wine heritage. The culmination of the visit was tasting their red, Queztal Reserve poured by João Santos (An excellent sommelier with a deep knowledge of wine) From start to finish this wine encompasses everything that a red should provide. Elegance, strength and surprise. Each of the layers unfolds slowly, the dark fruits of blackberry and black currant lead to bright tannins, the mouth feel of velvet slipping away the surprise of tobacco, dark chocolate and leather. Drink it on its own and savour with friends or let it compliment your favourite food. You will not regret the time spent in its company and at this...