Ferrugem — Restaurant in Vila Nova de Famalicão

We went on Friday lunchtime, 6 of us, 4 children. The service was charming, understated (in a really good way), slick and delightful. The approach to the children (from an 8 year old to a slightly sulky 15 year old) was thoughtful, welcoming and considerate.

We had 1 children's menu, 4 a la carte and a 5 course taster with matched wines. This have us a really broad selection of dishes. There was not a dud amongst them. They were universally beautifully presented and absolutely delicious! This is exceptional cooking. The focus (rightly) is on fish, but the meat is also fabulous. Fine dining takes on rustic Portuguese staples. Matched wines were elegant and well chosen.

Don't expect vegetarian dishes (I think this is pretty much true across our experience in Portugal more generally).

Desserts were a delight.

Not cheap, but excellent value for the quality of cooking and service. We paid €50 a head (3 x 2 courses, 2 x 3 courses, 1 x 5 courses incl 10% tip, coffee wine and two rounds of ice tea for the non wine drinkers).

Thank you to...

Outside the major centers and in a very discreet location we found Ferrugem. The way we were received, with a level of treatment and politeness, appropriate to the restaurant itself, immediately captivated us. We were taken to a pleasant and serene environment, where the beautiful, simple decor is lost in the high ceiling and the warmth of the fireplace embraces us.

As soon as they felt we were comfortable, the attentive, efficient and extremely friendly table service brought each dish for tasting, always taking care to explain the concept of each moment.

Transcendental

In fact, no words will be enough to describe this gastronomic and wine experience. We will...

Everything is great. Elegant space, adaptation of some old rural building (a barn/stable?) in contemporary style, with very high ceiling and a modern-design fireplace. Attentive service. In the "menu degustação" the several courses were revisitations of traditional dishes with original formats: for example, the olive-oil cream in the form of toothpaste, o "polvo panado" on a stick, like an ice cream. Apart from the curiosity, the ingredients were clearly of first category and the taste excellent. Very reasonable price (even...