menu

Portugal Festive Dinner

Bailliage of Algarve, Portugal
Santa Barbara de Nexe, December 11, 2019

Celebrating at Restaurant Le Marquis
" The main course was fillet of wild boar "

For an early celebration of the lead up to the Festive Season members and their guests met in the cosy surroundings of Restaurant Le Marquis situated in the village of Monte da Palhagueira Village situated between Santa Barbara de Nexe and Gorjões. The event, the last for 2019, was planned to have strong Nordic influences reflecting the traditional Scandinavian informal parties held in the days before Christmas.

The evening started on a warm note with “Glögg”, the Scandinavian glühwein which was served as a welcome drink. Once everyone was seated, the evening continued with a menu chosen to reflect further Nordic influences with both smoked and fresh fish as well as game.

The amuse was cream of pea soup with julienne of smoked eel. It was followed by the first fish course of home smoked terrine of salmon on guacamole with textures of cucumber and Amsterdam onions and lime. The second fish course consisted of fresh fillet of cod in filo pastry flavoured with crystallized ginger accompanied by spaghetti of vegetables and beurre blanc.

A delightful Vino Verde from Borges Alvarinho was served with these courses. This wine has won many gold medals over the years. With its floral and acidic notes together with a well-balanced complexity which give a persistent ending, it proved an elegant accompaniment to the smoked fish dishes.

The main course was fillet of wild boar with textures of beetroot, cabbage and sweet potato. It was accompanied by an Alentejo wine, Pontual Syrah, which has good body and scent of chocolate to compliment the game meat.

Finally, participants were treated to a Yuletide desert of a chocolate Christmas tree with gingerbread ice cream and fruits served with a Vintage Port from 2007.

Bailli Roy Clevenholm presented gifts of "Rudolf's Special Mulled Wine" for everyone to take home so as to enjoy again the tastes and memories of an entertaining, convivial evening.

Valerie Lantau
Vice-Chargée de Presse

Search in map