Bread Takes the Spotlight: A Culinary Journey at Michelin-Starred Cura
At the ultra-luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, Michelin-starred restaurant Cura challenges the traditional role of restaurant bread.
Executive Chef Pedro Pena Bastos has transformed it from a sideshow into a star in the 13-course ‘Origens’ tasting menu.
A Gourmet Bread Affair
Course No.7 steals the show with a captivating presentation of rustic wheat bread and milk bread. Accompanied by aged butter adorned with smoked hay powder and Pedro’s family-produced Portuguese olive oil, the bread becomes an elevated gourmet experience.
Pedro emphasizes the use of milled grains, ancient wheat varieties, and a 24-hour cold proofing process.
Gastronomic Brilliance Unfolds
Before the bread spectacle, Cura sets the stage with a sequence of dishes showcasing Pedro’s culinary prowess.
From a mushroom tartlet amuse-bouche to mackerel strips with sweet potato and a tuna tartare sphere, each dish reveals considerable talent and innovation.
Perfect Pairings: Wines and Culinary Creations
The culinary journey continues with Atlantic wreckfish, Iberian port, and perfectly cooked pigeon. The wine pairings, including a standout white Entre Pedras 2022 and a rustic Quinta da Caldeirinha 2017, complement the culinary creations.
Impeccable service adds to the overall ballet-like dining experience.
Cura’s Enchanting Atmosphere
The restaurant ambiance, characterized by Dali-esque lampshades and distinctive tubular cushioned banquette seating, adds to the enchantment.
The staff, clad in Peaky Blinders-style flat caps, ensures every dish is presented with precision and enthusiasm.
The Cura Experience: A Culinary Temple
While every table seems captivated by the gastronomic journey, some guests deviate from the fine dining experience, highlighting the sacrilege of distractions in this temple of culinary excellence.
Pros and Cons: A Culinary Heaven with Cura
Pros include sublime food, exceptional wine pairings, and impeccable service in a suitably swanky environment. However, those seeking platefuls of food may find Cura’s refined dining style less satisfying.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Ted Thornhill’s experience at Cura earns a perfect rating, emphasizing the sublime combination of food, wine, and service that defines this Michelin-starred culinary haven.
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