By Dr Jean Ferran, Chaine member
Vivendo, the gourmet restaurant at Vila Palmeira on the beach of Meia Praia, is the sort of hidden gem you would confidentially recommend only to your friends.
The Swiss owners, Karin and Vincent Winiker, are long-standing members of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs and their restaurant, under the supervision of Chef Christoph Voigt, is one of the best in the Algarve.
On Friday September 15, some 32 members of the Chaine des Rôtisseurs and their guests were treated on arrival to a peach punch served with an appetiser of prawn tempura.
 Vivendo Chef Christoph Voigt (left) and his brigade |  |
The lunch itself consisted of a consommé of lime leaves with scallops and mushrooms, a spice coated tuna fish served with saffron foam, a duck breast served pink on apple and shitake mushrooms; to finish, an iced raspberry tartlet with marinated wild berries.
This superb menu was accompanied by a white Dona Maria from the Alentejo and a red Vallado from the Douro region, both carefully chosen by the Chaîne’s Echanson Rod Frew to complement the meal. Coffee, friandises and a tawny Port ended the feast.
The service was faultless from beginning to end as always. Another perfect success for Christoph Voigt and his brigade!
 Michel Dressler, Algarve Bailli | |
Our next event in the Algarve will be a special gastronomic lunch prepared by French Chef Fabien Martinez at the Pine Cliffs Sheraton on October 13 – all proceeds going as usual to support our cookery school project for needy children.
If you would like to know more about the Chaine des Rôtisseurs, please contact Michel Dressler, Bailli /President of the Algarve, on 938 818 582, email michdressler@aol.com or follow us on Facebook at “chaine.portugal”.
