Restaurante Recanto do Ze — Portuguese Restaurant Review Armação de Pêra

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When you’re ready to give traditional Portuguese cuisine a try, consider Recanto do Ze when in Armacao de Pera, Algarve, Portugal.

Restaurante Recanto do Zé — Portuguese Restaurant in Armação de Pêra

Recanto do Ze has some great lunch specials “prato do dia” during the weekdays, but don’t be afraid to stop in at dinner time for kind staff and delicious Portuguese food.

Prato do Dia

A typical prato do dia at Recanto do Zé includes a meat or fish main, a drink (including wine or beer), couvert (typically bread, olives etc), dessert, and a coffee for around 15 euro – clearly representing a great value for a quality meal!

Location

Recanto do Zé Restaurant Address: Rua Dom Joao II lote 7, Armacao de Pera 8365-130 Portugal

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Iberian Pork Secretos

I was floored when my plate came. The helping of pork was generous, well seasoned, and as tender as you’d expect a well-rendered fatty cut of pork to be.

In the word’s of Levi, “That’s tenda!”

Pork Secretos Meal at Recanto do Ze — Armacao de Pera Restaurant Review — Iberian Black Pork — Algarve Food Blog

What are Pork Secretos? What Cut of Pork are Secretos?

Pork secretos are like a “secret” because they are a hidden boneless cut from behind the shoulder.

This cut of pork is exclusive to Iberico pigs and it has incredible flavor because of the deep marbling combined with the lifestyle of the pigs – roaming around free range and filling up on tasty acorns.

Ahh.. now that’s the life!

Porco Preto Portuguese Food Recanto do Ze — Armacao de Pera Restaurant Review — Porco Preto — Armacao de Pera Restaurant Guide

Along side the pork were the expected portuguese accompaniments – a simple salad with lettuce, onion, and tomatoes and a pile of french fries. 🙂

Francesinha

The Francesinha sandwich originated in Porto and it is a serious undertaking, as you can surely tell.

What is a Francesinha?

Between layers of bread you will find almost every rich meat you can think of on a francesinha – ham, steak, sausage.

Side view of Francesinha Portuguese Sandwich at Recanto do Ze — Armacao de Pera Restaurant Review — The Portuguese sandwich with every meat, topped with melted cheese, egg, and sauce — Francesinha

What is on Top of a Francesinha?

Plenty of melted cheese and a fried egg adorn this sandwich, as well as a healthy ladle of piping hot beer-tomato sauce to keep everything sloppy enough to require silverware.

Fresh Fried French Fries at Recanto do Ze — Armacao de Pera Restaurant Review — Batatas Fritas, aka French Fries — Portugal Food Blog

As if the hearty sandwich isn’t enough, a side of fries is ready for you to mop up any leftover sauce – the Portuguese version of Italy’s “fare la scarpetta” 🙂