We set foot towards the other side of the Algarve, with chef Megan, to realise why there are traditional flavours that are worth keeping. The smell and the taste of the sea continues to be present in the octopus eggs that are dried through a method that is becoming uncommon. In search of authenticity, we understand that the people of the Eastern Algarve continue to choose octopus roe to eat with their friends in the company of one or two beers. So we were trying to figure out how this product is made and how it is typically consumed.
As usual, Quinta dos Vales’ visitors were greeted at the “Open Door 2017” with beautiful Spring weather, even if the sun was a little shy. On Sunday 22nd April, over 3.000 visitors strolled once again through the grounds of the estate, where on display were numerous dance and musical performances, falconry and reptile presentations, as well as fashion shows.
Guy Taylor, renowned South African born and Stockholm based restaurateur, has teamed up with Head Chef Luis Rodrigues to develop an exciting new menu concept for our Espiche Golf’s Gecko Bistro. Guy’s credits include being part-owner and Executive Chef of the legendary Swedish foodie favourites Rolfs Kök and Food. He is known for his passion for creating simple but sophisticated dishes that give true value for money.
The new breakfast and lunch menu is based on combining the best local ingredients with interesting and unexpected flavours, textures and temperatures. It brings new life to old favourites like our 19th Hole Burger and Fish ‘N Chips, as well as offering a carefully curated selection of novel dishes and rotating weekly specials.
In the constant search to offer a more authentic gastronomic experience, our Chef at Mar d’Estórias has identified suitable ingredients for her culinary creations. In this search she has established local partnerships to supply these elements and now shares with you the origin of the products used in her kitchen.

The Ocean Restaurant is the only restaurant in Portugal on the Top 100 Best Restaurants in the World.
The 2 Michelin star Ocean Restaurant, located at VILA VITA Parc Resort & Spa, in Porches, Algarve, is once again on the famous La Liste ranking of the 1000 Best Restaurants in the World. This year, Ocean has reached the 64th place in the list, 38 places higher than last year’s 102nd place.
If doubts still existed regarding the quality of Portuguese wines, the growing international recognition would be more than enough proof that the national wine production is in excellent health.
To this day, Quinta de São Francisco has accumulated more than 60 medals, 20 of them gold. But this year it went even further: the 2014 harvest won a double gold medal thanks to its 98/100 points achievement at the San Francisco International Wine Competition, the largest and most prestigious wine competition in the United States, the first DOC Óbidos wine to obtain 98 points in this international competition.
Quinta de S. Francisco wine has always been the best-selling DOC Óbidos in Portugal as well as in export markets.
The Mar d'Estórias Bistro features an updated menu with new dishes featuring seasonal ingredients. The new menu is now available and has new suggestions for starters, main courses and desserts, always with unlikely combinations and presentations.
'For this new menu, the inspiration is fresh seasonal products, which favours new interpretations of Portuguese recipes and especially those from the Algarve, 'says Megan Melling, Chef of Mar d'Estórias.
- A Sea of Salads with History
- Sun Roofs And Air Conditioning For Our Grapes In Quinta Dos Vales!
- The love of Liquid Gold
- Money doesn’t buy happiness, but it does buy wine, which is almost the same thing!
- The Egg Report - the inside story
- Portuguese Custard Tart Discoveries
- Grape Discoveries - wine and culture tours in the Douro Valley
- 102nd on La Liste’s 1000 Best Restaurants in the World, VILA VITA Parc’s acclaimed Ocean Restaurant continues to lead the way for Portuguese gastronomy