José Avillez is like the Cristiano Ronaldo of portuguese cuisine. Besides doing some other worldly dribles, it’s in the hard work, with persitence and will to win that we can find the causes for his success.
In the kitchen José is genuine, brutally simple, the best crossing the flavours of traditional portuguese cuisine with the wisdom and contemporary, modern and international inspiration. If I had to choose someone to represent Portugal in a cuisine olympics, he would easily be the one I’d choose. Apart from the kitchen he is a true entrepreneur, searching for opportunities in each corner to expand his cooking talents into the business world.
O Cantinho do Avillez is one of his investments and probably his more relaxed and confortable venue, a perfect place to eat well and enjoy some good company.
The menu is composed by varied “petiscos”, such as “peixinhos da horta” or “Farinheira com crosta de broa”. It is mandatory to finish with a “prego” (the best in Lisbon) and unthinkable not to drink the house wine, the most ordered in the restaurant.
If you’re not full, I recommend the orange and vanilla crème brûlée and the raspberry and basil cheesecake. Everything fantastic and without secrets: all the recipes in the menu can be consulted and taken home (in the recipe book of the restaurant).
The NY Times considered O Cantinho 1 of the 4 unmissable restaurants in Lisbon, a visiting card that the restaurant prodly flaunts and which I totally subscribe.
Originally published in: https://www.foradaminhacozinha.com
