The moment I step into A Barraca I feel as if I’m back in my beloved Portugal. The soft sound of Fado is in the background, the small and lovingly decorated space, and the mouth-watering smell of Portuguese food is wafting from the kitchen.
I made the right choice by coming here alone. I usually don’t like going to restaurants alone and yet the whole experience of being completely engrossed by the food and a glass of wine in front of me and the atmosphere surrounding me was one of my favourite things to do during my little solo trip to Portugal last summer. And who am I kidding – as a woman travelling by herself in Portugal, you never stay alone for long, anyway.
Lucinda, the small Portugese woman behind the big flavours in the kitchen greets me with a wide and welcoming smile that makes me feel all warm inside. The former window dresser and sales assistant came to be a Gault Millaut award-winning restaurant owner by accident when a friend, who loved her cooking, inspired her to give it a try.
Her avó (grandmother) was an excellent cook, she tells me with a small chuckle. It’s obvious that she’s passed on the gift to Lucinda. The quality and origin of the ingredients are paramount to Lucinda, hence why she only works with local artisanal farmers. Everything in her kitchen is made from scratch (and lactose-free), which ensures the original Portuguese taste.
I decide to go for the more affordable lunch option, which includes the famous Bacalhau (dried salty cod). While I nip on my glass of Vinho Verde (I’ve missed you, old friend), the restaurant starts filling up. I soon get the feeling that people bring their dates and business partners here to impress them.
I can’t help but overhear praise for the place, like – “the food here is unparalleled“ and “it doesn’t matter how stressed I am, as soon as I start eating here I feel wonderful“ – coming from the conversations around me.
Oh, and about the food – it’s delicious. It has me gushing about it to everybody for weeks after. Lucinda and her cook are able to achieve something rarely found – they create dishes of which you can taste every single ingredient, while at the same time, the combination makes you feel like you’ve got an orchestra playing a symphony in your mouth. Ok, that might be an uncomfortable thought, however, what I am trying to say is that the food is absolutely amazing.
I have to stop myself from moaning loudly in satisfaction as I devour every bite of my seafood-starter.
The main course, a little tower made of bacalhau, fresh herbs and dried bread, has me and the other guests smiling and licking our lips. I’m sadly too full to try one of the pastries on the menu, but on the other hand, at least this gives me a good reason to come back. And maybe bring a date that I’m looking to impress.
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