Camões

By J. Harold Meyer (bestfoodinchina.net)
Updated: 2008-12-16 11:45

For centuries, Macao has been the stronghold of Portuguese culture in China. With the opening of the Wangfujing Legendale Hotel at Jinbao street, now food lovers in Beijing can enjoy their share of high quality culinary treats from Portugal, and Macao in particular.

To reach the Camões restaurant amidst the golden and crystalline grandeur of the colossal Legendale Hotel is somewhat of a challenge. Attractive blue and white Azulejos, painted, tin-glazed, ceramic tilework lead the way. Inside, the Camões restaurant awaits with a warm blend of brownish tiled floors and white and blue furniture that creates the right setting to dive into the divine peculiarities of Portuguese cuisine.

The restaurant manager, Mario Reis, and his two chefs make no compromises: The food served here is authentic, which sometimes requires some explanation to the distinguished guests. The oven baked Bacalhau is not made from fresh fish but from cod that is caught, dried and salted in Norway and revived in a 32-hour’s process of soaking, rinsing, seasoning and careful preparation.

The result is stunning. The concentrated, moderately salty taste of the brick-shaped and sturdy cod is offset by a delicate crust of corn breadcrumbs and the obligatory olive oil that smoothens it all. The price around 200 RMB is reasonable for this dish that combines exquisite ingredients representing the best traditions of Portuguese seafood cuisine.

Most of Camões’ dishes present themselves in a similarly traditional fashion. The cold pig head slices are a refreshing appetizer from the Portuguese countryside. The rabbit comes with strong earthy laurel flavors that remind us of the rough Portuguese Hinterland. And then there is hearty green vegetable soup “Caldo Verde”: With mashed potato as a foundation it’s the ideal dish to warm up from cold Beijing winter weather.

The collection of Portuguese pastries that concluded our dinner impressed, with a variety and gusto. Nice tones of cinnamon in the tartlet, a rich and dark chocolate mousse and an intense almond cake confirmed that the new Beijing Legendale is a place not to be missed.

Location(s) 90-92 Jinbao Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing (010) 8511 3388

This article is brought you by Best Food inChina, an English website about local Chinese food and restaurants. For more information, please visitwww.bestfoodinchina.net