Exploring Art with a Portuguese Tinge: Two Venues Steeped in History
A Legendary Dining Experience
Back in 1947, a simple hut by the sea became a legendary restaurant. Known as Porto de Santa Maria, it's a celebrity hotspot where you might bump into the likes of Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Sharon Stone. Clinton himself declared the "salted fish" here as the best he'd ever tasted.
Originally just a humble hut, this dining gem underwent a transformation in 1992, complete with adding an entire floor, housing the historic wine cellar and ponds. The latest modernization took place in 2019 with an investment of 1.5 million euros, giving it an exquisite décor that perfectly complements the surrounding nature.
Henrique Fernandes, the managing partner, shares that the restaurant earned a Michelin star after the 1992 transformation, but assures that it's still a democratic space where beach shorts are perfectly acceptable.
The Wine Cellar: A Cultural Haven
In the past, Porto de Santa Maria even hosted art exhibitions featuring local painters. But it's the wine cellar that truly reflects the cultural expression of this establishment. Spread over 600 square meters, it safeguards secrets full of history – white wines, rosés, spirits, champagnes, two separate room areas, and even 10 private wine cellars. Port wine holds a special place here with 7 to 8 thousand bottles, the oldest dating back to 1930.
The wine cellar is not just a storage area; it's a place of business and celebration. Wine tastings, dinner events, and marriage proposals have all taken place here. If you're interested in visiting, remember to request in advance a week. Henrique Fernandes recommends starting your culinary journey by choosing your wine in the cellar, followed by the seafood.
Experience Five Senses
Diogo Simões, a former footballer, found a new path when his career took an unexpected turn. In 2005, he opened Café 5, which became the starting point of an exciting journey. New Year's Eve in 2007 brought an unforeseen event – a dispute with his chef had him working alone on the busiest night of the year. Taking matters into his own hands, Diogo devoted himself to the culinary arts and soon transformed Café 5 into a culinary triumph.
In 2009, Diogo seized the opportunity to acquire an elite club in Cascais. He transformed it into "5 Senses," focusing on awakening all five senses through local art, diverse dishes, and stunning ambiance. You can find Ka 5 Sentidos in both Cascais and Comporta, both offering a unique blend of art and exceptional cuisine.
Despite the arrival of the pandemic, Diogo continues to seek creative solutions. One such idea is a virtual takeaway restaurant. Be sure to visit and indulge in the art, food, and atmosphere that Ka 5 Sentidos offers.
- The wine cellar at Porto de Santa Maria, a cultural haven, safeguards secrets full of history and reflects the establishment's cultural expression, housing white wines, rosés, spirits, champagnes, and even 10 private wine cellars, including over 7,000 bottles of port wine, some dating back to 1930.
- Café 5, a popular destination, started as a café but underwent a transformation by Diogo Simões, a former footballer, who turned it into a culinary triumph by focusing on the local art, diverse dishes, and stunning ambiance, awakening all five senses.
- The legendary dining experience at Porto de Santa Maria includes eco-friendly cooking methods and showcases local lifestyle, food-and-drink, and home-and-garden elements to offer guests a sense of authentic travel and cultural-travel experience.
- In addition to Ka 5 Sentidos locations in Cascais and Comporta, Diogo Simões offers a virtual takeaway restaurant, making it possible for food enthusiasts to indulge in authentic local cuisine from the comfort of their homes, even during the pandemic.
- After the unexpected turn in his football career, Diogo Simões embraced the culinary world and expanded his business to offer beachgoers the opportunity to enjoy local eco-friendly cooking, lifestyle, and travel experiences, all while staying true to the cultural identity of his hometown.
