In Diferente, in Porto, is one of those outstanding Portuguese restaurants whose name doesn’t quite hold up in English. That’s because there’s nothing indifferent in Angélica Salvador’s creative cuisine. Rather, the Brazilian-born chef brings passion, creativity, and attention to her contemporary reinterpretations of traditional Portuguese gastronomy.
The restaurant, which was awarded Bib Gourmand designation from Michelin, signifying good value for money, is located quite close to the Atlantic Ocean in the Porto suburb of Foz do Douro. So it’s not a surprise that fish plays a starring role. In fact, one of the two tasting menus is purely pescatarian.
The other is fully omnivorous, including dishes like novilho (beef) and caviar with hollandaise and broccoli, and carabineiro (scarlet prawn) with scallop, curry, mango, and coconut. Some of the most popular dishes play with Portuguese traditions, such as the octopus carpaccio with smoked peppers, and the line-caught sea bass with xerém (Portugal’s answer to polenta). In a refreshing change for fine dining restaurants, there’s also an a la carte menu.
But it’s dessert that’s Salvador’s most recognizable signature, and one that sums up her approach to mixing Portugal’s past and the world’s future. Her take on the pastel de nata (Portuguese custard tart) is inverted to become a petit gateau that’s covered by a thin layer of biscuit with touches of coffee gel, cinnamon ice cream, and lemon cream.
For more information, visit the In Diferente website.
In Diferente
Rua Dr. Sousa Rosa 23
Foz do Douro, Porto
Phone: +351 911 033 315
Email: indiferentereservas@gmail.com
Hours:
Tuesday to Friday – 19:00 to 22:30
Saturday – 12:30 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 22:30
Sunday – 12:30 to 15:00
Photos courtesy of In Diferente
