DB Eats: Castas e Pratos, Peso da Régua, Portugal
There are a number of upmarket restaurants and hotels springing up along the Portugese Douro, which by all accounts used to be rather sparse on this front.
Castas e Pratos is one of the latest arrivals, opening at the end of 2008 inside a (very) smartly converted former railway depot.
Downstairs is geared towards a quickish glass of wine and some tapas, with seats stretching down a long communal table.
The sides of the room display a tempting array of Portuguese wines, mostly big names from the Douro, but also an interesting selection of wines from elsewhere and the odd older vintage.
Upstairs is a more formal restaurant setting, with a relaxing view over the river – or the railway sidings if you end up on the other side of the room.
The menu offers a broad selection of that ubiquitous modern European cuisine, with the food well prepared and elegantly presented, although generally rather less expressive of Portugal than the wines.
In short a modern, stylish and relaxed venue with good service and a strong selection of Portuguese wines to explore. Perhaps not the place if you’re looking for traditional, rustic charm, but a handy location at the gateway to some of the Douro’s most exciting producers.
Partner Content
Rua José Vasques Osório,
Gabriel Savage, 11.08.2009
