insideKENT Magazine Issue 90 - September 2019 | Seite 105

PONTA DA CALHETA
Magical Madeira - Must Eats:
NOT CONTENT WITH OFFERING FIVE STAR HOSPITALITY, STUNNING LANDSCAPES AND
BLISSFUL WELLNESS TREATMENTS; MADEIRA ALSO HITS ALL THE GASTRONOMIC HIGH
NOTES. WITH LOCAL DISHES INSPIRED BY FRESH LOCALLY CAUGHT SEAFOOD, TRADITIONAL
MEAT DISHES AND JUST THE RIGHT (READ PLENTIFUL!) AMOUNT OF TIPPLES!
HERE ARE OUR TOP PICKS:
Restaurante do Forte, Funchal Faja Dos Padres Restaurant, Faja Dos Padres Santa Maria Restaurant, Funchal
From it’s prime position next to the Forte Sao Joao
in Funchal, the Restaurante Forte offers not only
stunning views across the harbour but also stunning
a la carte fine dining with a Portguese twist. Dish
upon dish is a feast for the eyes as well as the taste
buds as well known favourites such as pea soup,
prawns and caviar and fois gras are given a distinctly
Madeiran edge. The Scabbard fish fillet with banana
and herbs and the steak wellington with dry tomato
and truffle sauce are highly recommended as is the
creme brulee and chocolate marquise with
passionfruit sorbet. Dining Saturdays in June and
at New Year also afford spectacular views of the
award-winning harbourside fireworks. Almost inaccessible by land the main way to arrive
at this beautifully set ocean-side eatery is by cable
car. With the journey there half the adventure you
are then rewarded by good home cooking utlising
a variety of fresh, local ingredients. Don’t miss the
house specials, the pan fried Black Scabbard fish
with either mango or banana and potatoes and
the delicious Cachaço de porco assado delicately
marinated, melt in the mouth, wood oven roasted
pork with fresh vegetables and sauteed potatoes. This friendly, homely, welcoming cafe-style eatery
is also a local’s fave; visit to sample the honey-sweet
homemade rum poncha as well as traditional Bolo
de Caco, oven baked Madeiran style garlic bread;
and the famous Espetada em Pau de Lauro; a local
style seasoned steak ‘kebab’ served on a bay laurel
skewer with a side of cassava wedges, finish with the
moorish rich homemade chocolate mousse.
https://forte.restaurant/ From its contemporary sleek abode built into and
atop the original brick harbour wall, the restaurant
dishes at the Nini Design Centre are as creatively
inspired as Nini Andrade Silva’s contemporary art
works. This is fine dining at its design styled best.
Stunning views of the harbour, contemporary art
works and dining room, fabulous paired wines and
a choice of Table d’hote or A’la Carte menus.
Highlights included the stunning warm tiger prawn
salad, the lacquered duck with thyme and lemon
and the divine salted caramel cheesecake
Ponta da Calheta, Porto Santo
Just a few minutes drive from the Hotel Porto
Santo, this open-air seaside restaurant offers the
most spectacular views of the bay as well as a host
of local seafood inspired dishes. Famed for its grilled
limpets and its ‘Arroz de Peixe’ a fish and rice stew
featuring locally caught black scabbard, the passion
fruit pudding and almond cassata desserts are not
to be missed.
www.santamariafunchal.com/restaurant/
https://fajadospadres.com/faja/index.php/en/
Pa’tio Das Babosas, Monte, Funchal
Nini Design Centre, Funchal
This small friendly eatery is primely located next to
the Tropical Gardens with breathtaking views of the
cable cars and hills below. Perfect for a ‘coffee and
cake’ morning pitstop or for lunches of fresh
homemade pizzas and salads. Grab a freshly made
Pastéis de Nata, from the attentive and friendly staff,
before they sell out!
http://www.ninidesigncentre.com/pt/
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