The Vila Foz restaurant – 1 Michelin star – at the Vila Foz Hotel & SPA in Porto is launching new tasting menus that explore the freshness of the Atlantic and the intensity of the flavors of the land, according to the creativity of chef Arnaldo Azevedo.
The two tasting menus, Maresia and Novo Mundo, now feature new dishes and ingredients. The appreciation of Portuguese gastronomy continues to feature prominently in the chef’s new proposals, which combine the traditional flavors of Portuguese cuisine with his bold vision.
The location of the Vila Foz Hotel & SPA is privileged and inspiring. From the Vila Foz restaurant, you can ‘feel’ the flavor of the sea. With the Maresia menu, the chef emphasizes fish and seafood from the Portuguese coast, with proposals that offer an experience marked by the freshness and aroma of the Atlantic. The new dishes respect seasonal produce and include the marine flavor of oysters from the Ria Formosa, the richness of sea bass and the unique texture of octopus. On this menu, the chef highlights the Salmon with Sea Urchin and Tear Peas, a suggestion that combines the various textures of the ocean with the sweetness of the peas.
In the vegetarian New World menu, the chef is the guide on a journey of rediscovery of the best that the earth has to offer. Here, vegetables are the main character, but the traditional flavors of Portuguese cuisine are not forgotten, which makes it equally interesting for those who don’t follow an exclusively vegetarian diet. New features include mushrooms, a dish that emphasizes the typical flavors of the Bairrada region, and a creamy seaweed rice, which introduces the maritime side of the menu that the chef is so fond of.
“The new Maresia and New World menus were inspired by seasonal ingredients, the most appropriate for building an experience that is unique on the palate, due to its freshness and intense flavor. Clearly, the sea continues to feature strongly at Vila Foz, whether through the Maresia menu, which only has one meat dish, or even the New World, which, although vegetarian, also has a maritime touch through ingredients such as seaweed,” explains chef Arnaldo Azevedo. “We’ve also tried to innovate with unusual combinations that aren’t obvious but are familiar to the palate, reflecting the essence of Portuguese gastronomy,” he concludes.
Vila Foz Hotel & SPA is the bridge between a historic past and the elegance and modernity of today, just 20 minutes from Porto city center. The restaurant is open for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, between 7:30pm and 10:30pm.
