Portugal Confidential loves the holiday season! It’s a great time to be with friends and family, and anticipate all the cool new discoveries the New Year will bring.
But hold on, we’ve still got news to share this year, starting with…
…this refreshing discovery in Lagos: Xarme – Cozinha de Augusto Lima. Among the typical tourist spots in the historical centre of the city, this trendy and sophisticated eatery is a pleasant surprise.
You might remember Chef Lima from Carob Restaurant in Silves. Now, he has a kitchen of his own, with a fabulously-designed multi-level dining room. His dishes are innovative with a Portuguese pedigree. Try codfish confit with carpaccio of sweet potato, or rack of lamb in a bed of creamed nuts.
You’ll die for the chocolate and carob soufflé with orange heart, or olive oil ice cream! Yum! Find Xarme at 54 Rua 25 de Abril in Lagos.
Does the thought of traipsing to the mall and fighting holiday shoppers give you a twinge? Portugal Confidential has some unique ideas for the Lusophiles on your gift list.
Claus Brito have been making soaps and body products in Porto since 1887. Their selection of soaps, bath salts and candles come in 20 heavenly fragrances.
Each soap bar is hand-embossed and wrapped in richly-decorated, traditional paper. Dad will love the Musgo Real line of shaving products. Bar soaps run about €14.20 for a package of three. Liquid soaps are €16.80 for 400ml. Shave products range from €6-€32.
You can thank a 19th-century Portuguese friar for this next product. Oppidum Ginja de Óbidos is a liquor made from the sour cherries that grow in the northern Portugal coastal valley near Óbidos. Espinheira fermented ginjas (morello cherries) with sugar, water and cinnamon. The Portuguese have been drinking it ever since …
Oppidum sells on their website starting at €14 per 0.5L bottle. It’s a tasty delight, especially when served with chocolate. And, it’s rumoured to be an aphrodisiac …
Need a sustainable gift for the environmentalist in your life? The Carbon Zero Catalogue has items that are really cool… and help to save the planet! The Teabag Sack is made of recyclable materials and expands like an accordion … or a teabag! Handles make it easy to tote supplies to the beach, or carry home your groceries. The nifty bags start at €46.
Portugal Confidential’s personal favourite are the Jars of Light. These cool items are traditionally-shaped mason jars, made of frosted glass.
A solar panel on the lid collects energy. Place the jars on your terrace. When the sun goes down, the jars begin to glow with enough light to add dramatic ambiance to your al fresco dinner party. Jars are €26 each.
Visit www.PortugalConfidential.com for more information on these and other cool things in Portugal. Have an interesting suggestion for Portugal Confidential? Email us at algarveresident@portugalconfidential.com
Portugal Confidential wishes you Festive Holidays and a Joyous New Year.
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