In Lisbon, Chef José Avillez invites us to discover his restaurant Encanto, a magical haven dedicated to vegetarian cuisine.
Nestled in the heart of the Portuguese capital, this discreet and elegant address offers a unique gastronomic experience that celebrates plant-based cuisine.
José Avillez, a Chef guided by Portuguese gastronomy
As an iconic figure in Portuguese gastronomy, José Avillez stands out for his innovative spirit. At the helm of several renowned establishments, this exceptional chef has crafted a unique culinary signature while proudly representing his national cuisine.
His primary mission is to promote Portuguese gastronomy and help make Portugal a top culinary destination. It is with this perspective in mind that the chef has recently opened Encanto, his first fully vegetarian restaurant.
As a matter of fact, Encanto earned its first Michelin star in its opening year in 2022, joining the prestigious circle of Michelin-starred restaurants.
“Encanto is our first restaurant with a unique 100% vegetarian menu. It’s an enchanted space, designed with the best of the earth in mind, and with the desire to contribute to a more sustainable world,” explains José Avillez.
A vegetarian menu highlighting Portugal
Among all of Chef Avillez’s restaurants, Encanto is the one where sustainable and vegetarian cuisine is fully expressed and successfully showcased.
Encanto offers a unique 12-course tasting menu, entirely vegetarian, showcasing the dedication of local producers and the exceptional quality of local ingredients through a play of textures, colors, and flavors. During a special evening, we tested this menu, which enchanted us by its originality.
Amuse-bouche:
- Hummus cream encased in “golden eggs,” served with seed crackers, olives, and dried flowers.
Main Courses:
- Puri with Sikil Pak sauce and Tonburi seeds, garnished with nasturtium flowers and a bouquet of avocado cream
- Sweet potato medley
- Summer tomatoes, peach, tamari, and oxalis
- Atlantic seaweed, cucumber and oyster leaf
- Autumn vegetable “Cozido” with white beans, mustard seeds, and dried fig leaves
- Kale-based vegetarian “Alheira”
- “Carolino” rice with wild mushrooms, parsley, pear and mushroom “shell”
- Leek Pithiviers, potato Rösti with beurre blanc, verjus, and summer truffle
Desserts:
- “Hoshigaki” dried persimmons
- “Abade de Priscos” pudding with nasturtium flowers and finger lime
- Chocolate sorbet with shiso leaf, lemon, and pine nuts
The technique at the service of vegetarian cuisine
Chef Avillez enhances his creations with ancestral techniques such as fermentation, drying, and charcoal cooking. These traditional methods bring out the flavors and create surprising texture combinations.
For his vegetarian menu, the chef drew inspiration from traditional Portuguese cuisine, which he reinterprets with boldness, incorporating Asian influences.
José Avillez’s vegetarian cuisine thus reflects his desire to create novel flavor combinations and transform classics into contemporary creations, while respecting the environment.
Encanto is, above all, a human adventure, driven by a committed team. Alongside José Avillez, Chef Diogo Formiga brings his vision and environmental sensitivity, adding depth to this culinary experience.
A unique journey, without a doubt worth discovering, to immerse yourself in Portuguese culinary tradition with a modern twist.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Chefs José Avillez and Diogo Formiga for this unique tasting experience. A big thank you also to the cooking team and the dining staff for their excellent service, and special thanks to Camille, Afonso, and Laura for their warm welcome.
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