Becoming a famous and much sought after Michelin Star chef is one thing, but sharing extraordinary food with your friends, and friends-of-friends, in a cozy home-like setting is another. No doubt Chef José Avillez is greatly appreciative of the acclaim his culinary skills have achieved; yet it was his dream is to share his passion with his community in a relaxed setting. This is the concept behind Avillez’s restaurant, Cantinho do Avillez, in Cascais and Parque das Nações areas of Lisbon and Porto.
Avillez’s idea for O Cantinho is to be simple and sophisticated. So, first, the space must be comfortable and unpretentious. In each restaurant a work of art by a contemporary Portuguese artist is featured.
On the menu for this relaxed environment, Avillez offers Portuguese comfort food, prepared with a special brand of expertise based on his creativity, experience and travels. Most ingredients are purchased fresh from the Mercado da Ribeira. Some products, such as cheeses, sausages and breads, are purchased from farmers and bakers who deliver the product directly to the Cantinho kitchen. The result is a dinner of purely Portuguese.
So, what can you expect? Baked Nisa cheese and ham, with rosemary and honey. Cream of crab served in a cold hard-boiled egg with toast and gherkin. Popular on the menu are several forms of steak sandwich (prego) inspired by Avillez’s trips to Mexico and China, or a Portuguese version with foie gras. A pastry made of partridge, bacon and chive is on the menu, as is boletus mushroom risotto with shaved parmesan. If you like hazelnuts, Avillez surprises you with the nut in three forms: ice cream, mousse and foam.
For more information, visit the Cantinho do Avillez website.
Cantinho do Avillez – Cascais
Rua da Palmeira, 6A
+351 211 389 666
Cantinho do Avillez – Parque das Nações
Rua Bojador, 55
+351 218 700 365
Cantinho do Avillez – Porto
Rua Mouzinho da Silveira, 166
*351 223 227 879
Cantinho do Avillez – Chiado is temporarily closed.
Other Lisbon area restaurants by Avillez:
Belcanto
Pizzaria Lisboa
Canto