MERAKI Hotels & Fine Dining
TĂ GIDE RESTAURANT The Tagus inspiration Visual Stories by Carla Branco | Story #9
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TĂ GIDE RESTAURANT The Tagus inspiration It is an imposing haven of luxury and is located in an 18th century building in the heart of Chiado, in Lisbon. Its stunning view over the city and the Tagus inspires us to continue a journey of flavors through traditional Portuguese cuisine with international influences led by Chef Guilherme Freire.
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Tágide is undoubtedly one of the most emblematic restaurants in Lisbon. Not only because of its history but because it knew how to preserve the past wisely and connect to a current of the future with a sophisticated environment and a modern and always up-to-date kitchen. The name comes from the mysticism that links us to the Age of Discoveries, to the beautiful nymphs of the Tagus, the acclaimed “Tágides” by Luís de Camões who influenced him to compose his greatest work “Os Lusíadas”. Estamos no spa de um dos mais emblemáticos espaços de Lisboa, o Hotel Ritz, um compromisso entre a modernidade e a tradição. Fomos conhecer um dos seus tratamentos de assinatura - “Sete Colinas de Lisboa” - um luxo clássico de puro prazer, inspirado pelos ingredientes portugueses mais naturais e tradicionais.
FOUR SEASONS RITZ SPA Viagem exclusiva entre Ocidente e Oriente
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And it was on a beautiful Autumn afternoon that I went to taste the Tágide Tasting Menu. From my table I appreciate this peaceful Lisbon where the beauty of the gray sky is mixed with the calm waters of the Tagus. And at my table, impeccably well served and complying with all the sanitary rules that are required today, Couvert arrives - olive oil, cow butter and sheep butter and different types of bread. This is followed by the Amuse-Bouche composed of chard cream with smoked corvina, kimchi and panko - a fresh and velvety cream with the right amount of acidity. A start that sharpens the palate for the next tasting. And our eyes turn to Lisbon again. In front of us, the Lisbon City Hall, the Cathedral and the surrounding roofs of Praça do Comércio... in the distance the south bank also keeps us company throughout the meal.
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The Red shrimp starter with seafood cream, cauliflower, basil and lemon has a rich and intense flavor, with a desired freshness. In turn, the fish dish - Corvina with wild mushrooms, roe, fish sauce, mashed cauliflower and miso - is light and textured. Here you can feel the Autumn flavors brought by the earthy flavor of the mushrooms that elevate the dish. And you feel that comfort... The meat dish arrives at the table and with it a delicious BĂsaro Pork, green asparagus, fondant potatoes and asparagus cream. The meat's crust is extremely delicious and gives the dish a new texture. 10
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And in the end, who can resist the exotic Babá, bergamot in rum based on crème brûlée, thaiti vanilla with mango and pineapple sorbet? Although the dessert contains a large number of ingredients, they all make sense and combine perfectly. The great highlight is the lightness of the pineapple sorbet that gives it a necessary freshness, without being overly sweet. I finish with my usual coffee, with a watermelon gum and lychee truffle. Delicately pleasant. Chef Guilherme Freire's Tasting Menu is a perfect combination of the freshness of late Summer and a subtle introduction to the most intense flavors of Autumn. It is original, technical, visually appealing and with flavors that fascinate and satisfy the most demanding palates, but preferably, it must be done with time to be properly appreciated.
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A balcony over Lisbon Lisbon's history is also ours, which we inhabit and walk around every day, we cross with its people and places that have been here for centuries, perpetuating the history of our identity. In this sense, Tรกgide is one of the most traditional houses in Lisbon. Internationally renowned artists such as Mireille Robert and Charles Aznavour have been here.
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The atmosphere is classic and refined, with a profusion of valuable works of art, tile panels and beautiful chandeliers that date back to the 18th centur y, merging with some 17th century stone fountains that still remain today. With more than thirty years of experience, the quality of Tågide was distinguished with various prizes, namely a star in the Michellin guide and remains one of the most prestigious restaurants in Lisbon and a gastronomic reference that reinvents itself in the presentation and in the oer it provides to those who visit them. Here we relive an album of memories, we hang up the phone and let ourselves be absorbed by the view from a large window to the Tagus and to the rest of the world that comes to us through the flavors we taste here.
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MERAKI Hotels & Fine Dining
CEO/Editor CARLA BRANCO Text CARLA BRANCO Photos TĂ GIDE & CARLA BRANCO Story #9 October 2020 www.restaurantetagide.com
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