€€€Contemporary
It is located in the luxurious Vidago Palace hotel, built in 1910 by King Carlos due to its proximity to the famous Vidago thermal spring waters. It is no surprise that the restaurant boasts a majestic décor, with high ceilings and a huge handmade carpet covering the floor that once served as the palace’s ballroom. Consultant chef Vítor Matos provides traditional Northern Portuguese cuisine combined with modern creativity, showcased in an à la carte menu and two tasting menus: Essência (“Essence”) and Cumplicidades (“Alliances”). Standout dishes? The scallops accompanied by prawn ravioli and a
€€Galician
Here they are fully committed to delivering the essence of the surrounding land, the Monterrei region of Orense. In this declaration of love for their Galician roots and their own flavours, they sell the project as such: ‘First the product, then the technique’. This family-run establishment, located in a manor house that also has charming rooms (O Retiro do Conde), is under the direction of chef José Luis Prieto, who offers a contemporary take on the local gastronomic tradition, through a short menu and several tasting menus: Gastronomic (set lunch menu), Market and Tamagani.
€€Galician
(Temporarily closed due to relocation) This restaurant, located along the well-maintained banks of the Támega, the river that criss-crosses the town of Verín in the province of Ourense, is not be missed, as chef Begoña Vázquez focuses on traditional Galician cooking and the typical flavours and ingredients (organic veal and chestnuts in season) of the Monterrei area, which the chef combines with a more contemporary approach. The à la carte service is complemented by several set menus: Sinxelo (short, set lunch menu on weekdays), Raíces and Recordos.