Egg tarts and Flowers. Portugal plus Chelsea.

[drron]

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

The extensive Graham's holdings.

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

When we got back to Pinhao the wind had dropped and the reflections were excellent as seen in the previous pictures. We then had a bit of a nap before dinner.
First the dining



The amused Boucher tonight was tuna. It really tasted different and Mrsdrron liked it.


For starters Mrsdrron had the carpaccio and I had the duck



For main she had the pork cheek and I had the
Traditional codfish.



I had the trilogy for dessert.


And an extra little dessert.


Once again excellent.

 

[drron]

Before we leave Pinhao on this TR I want to come back to the Egg tart. Now all the tour literature tells you to go to Pasteis de Belen the original shop for the best Pastel de nata.

Well today I went for a long walk. As I walked through the lobby of the IC one of the Assistant GMs was in the lobby. Now the cleaner on our floor is excellent so I took the chance to tell him. He was grateful for the feedback. He then asked what I planned to do. I told him go for a walk to find a good egg tart but I said I wouldn’t have the time to get to Belem.
He said they do have good tarts there but many locals prefer those from Manteigaria. Although they have 5 outlets he said their original shop has the best. So I first went to the branch that was closest in a tourist area. They were making the tarts there.





I bought 2 there and because I had a fair bit of time I decided to find the original shop. I did so and bought another 2. They said the proper way to eat an egg tart is to eat it with nutmeg. So they gave me a packet.
Back to the IC where we put them to the test.

The ones from their original shop are on the right. And there was a difference and we both thought the original shop one’s were best and probably had a little bit of cinnamon already added.
Now I can’t say they are better than those at Belem as I haven’t tried one of them. But these were very good and the best I have tasted.

 

[drron]

So we are now up to Thursday morning and we leave the Douro and head to Obidis and the Marriott Praia D'el Rey resort. We headed out on the road we would have com in on and it definitely is the best road to come in to Pinhao. It is N323 which is N222 originally. Easiest way to get on to it is via the toll way A24. It is quite a scenic drive as you are beside the river all the way.. So some scenes from that drive.

 

[drron]

We are now going through the town of Folgosa which was initially going to be a stop.





Now this shot shows why we thought to stop here.


On that walkway is seating for this restaurant.


Rui Paula is a Michelin starred chef.
We soon discovered why the river cruisers don't get up to Pinhao. A dam.



Below the dam the river is shallow,rocky and fast flowing.

 

[drron]

And we make it to A24.



A24 heads into the mountains and when above 1000 metres we are in the clouds and the temperature has dropped to 10C. We stopped for a comfort stop at a rest area. It was bleak.



A little further on after we had descended we stopped for a coffee and snack. At a rest stop and a chain called SOL. So a coffee and egg tart each and I had an empanada as well. Not too bad and a reasonable price.


We had passed a huge wind turbine factory and 2 trucks pulled in with a couple of segments.

 

[drron]

No problem finding the Marriott and the best service I have had at a Marriott for a long time. Good upgrade to a large Seaview room. It came with breakfast so I got as our amenities 2 drinks, 1000 points plus a local gift of cherry liquor and chocolates. Was also going to get a complimentary bottle of wine with dinner but that night was a wine dinner and they were only offering wine pairing. They would give us 50% off the wine pairing but it still was 75 euros per person so we passed.

So to the room.





And the view.

 

[BriarFlyer]

Thank you, kind sir, for doing such extensive taste testing and finding the best Portugese tarts. I shall, no doubt, taste many as well but Manteigaria is highlighted on my list.

 

[Ade]

I checked out the Maccas but nothing really Portugese.

Even they have got the Plant based version, we don't

 

[Ade]

Is that bread under Bacon - to soak up the drippings? if yes, excellent idea and I think that bread will be very sought after, after service

 

[TheRealTMA]

We are now going through the town of Folgosa which was initially going to be a stop.




Now this shot shows why we thought to stop here.


On that walkway is seating for this restaurant.
View attachment 321140

Rui Paula is a Michelin starred chef.

DOC restaurant is very very good. As is his other one in Porto. Recommended.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Very good restaurant for lunch!

View attachment 320655

Actually I think I was wrong on this. I now think it was lunch at Taylors.

Barão Fladgate - Restaurant at Taylor's Port Cellars

Barão Fladgate Restaurant at Taylor's Port cellars enjoys a spectacular location with magnificent views across the Douro River.

www.baraofladgate.com

 

[Disco]

Thank you, kind sir, for doing such extensive taste testing and finding the best Portugese tarts. I shall, no doubt, taste many as well but Manteigaria is highlighted on my list.

Yes , agree, nice to have the comprehensive research done .

 

[drron]

I now went for a walk along the Coast and golf course.


This next sign was very true. A lot of the area has collapsed and it seems no longer a beach plus all access stairways have been removed.

 

[drron]

The golfers were not the most honest. I was standing just back from this fairway bunker. A fellow found it but his playing partners were on the other side of the fairway. He dropped another ball just beyond the bunker and hidden by the mound. Surreptitiously removed the first ball from the bunker then stood up and proclaimed he had found his ball in the loose rough. He knew I was watching.

 

[drron]

On another hole the women's tee was hidden from the men's tee. There was a group of 3men and 1 woman. She topped her first 2 drives but I am sure as she hit her 3rd drive well she was calling it her first shot. back to the last of my walk.





One part of the large resort area was planted with bottle brush and the NZ Christmas tree.


It is part of Portugal's Silver Coast but wouldn't be out of place on our Gold coast.
When I got back to the room this gift had been delivered.