Dinner and Jewels

My family love to dress up and go out to dinner together when we’re on holidays. So this year, before heading out I picked up this Needle & Thread foliage dress in the midseason sale and I absolutely adore it

Every inch of it is embroidered and beaded, so there’s quite a bit of weight to it but it’s beautiful and I was smitten from the off

On this particular evening we had a reservation at Sao Gabriel, one of the best restaurants in the area

Upon arrival we were seated straight away in their garden, which is my favourite spot. Their interior is beautiful too, but when I’m on holiday and the weather is so gorgeous, it’s always a treat to dine outside

My parents and I began with deliciously chilled crisp Champagne

and Himself had a beer

Everything here is served, just so, it’s all choreographed and before you’ve even ordered you’ve met about eight members of staff, the seater, the drinks order taker, the somelier, the owner, the host, the breads deliverer, the list goes on!

Speaking of, all the breads are freshly made at the restaurant and are truly delicious, but their focaccia is pure joy and just unreal! It actually melts in your mouth and the salt flakes on top cut through the moist bread wonderfully – so nom!!

The breads are served with two different butters and ^ this oil which everyone agreed was really rather delicious!

Two appetisers arrived for the table, ^ sardine mouse and below, beetroot salad

Both went down well! Along with the wine, so too did our starters arrive

Fresh scallops vaporised with citrus, fresh cheese, grapefruit and sanguine apple

Cream Soup Of Red Prawns, flavoured with madras curry and thai basil

Foie Gras, sauteed fresh goose liver, pork sweetbread, trumpet mushrooms, quince marmalade and caramel sauce

Cheese puff tart with green salad

All were vastly enjoyed, especially after a day of “no we’ll just eat really light, we’re going to Sao Gabriel later!”

The mains also arrived with the restaurants trademark flourish, Roasted suckling pig (cooked in low temperatures for 30 hours), with smoked red cabbage, vanilla potatoes and a mild black pepper sauce.

Tenderloin of Beef Black Angus, with potatoe puree, organic vegetables and various wild mushrooms

Duck Breast “Barberie”, on creamy white corn, spring onions, beetroot and raspberry sauce

and lastly for our table, Roasted Tenderloin rack of lamb, with celery gratin, aubergines, tomato petals and mustard ginger sauce

Conversation grinded to an absolute halt, because everyone was far too busy enjoying their meals and passing around little bits for each other to try to be worried about chat, although it did resume with gusto once our plates were cleared!

After we’d had time to, somewhat, digest our delicious main courses, the desserts were rolled out, we ordered just two to share as we were far too full for four dishes! First up, pictured above is “Our Interpretation Of Banana Flambé”, banana, mousse, citrus gel, bitter orange ice cream

and “Red Berries Fragrances” moistened cake, mousse, ice cream, meringues, rose gel. Both were absolutely delicious, although the red berries one is infinity more beautiful, especially in real life!

As we were enjoying our teas and coffees, out arrived some complimentary almond bark, sao gabriel red velevet mini cakes and fruit pastilles, which were absolutely gorgeous!

After all of that deliciousness, we headed back to the comfort of our villa for a little night cap before bed. A truly wonderful evening filled with laughter, great company and some of the best food and drink you could want!