An Edible Voyage

Pastel de Nata. Those words alone are likely to spark endless debates on which city, which bakery produces the best, and even what it is that constitutes 'the best'.   I have to say, when trying to choose the coveted 'best' it is a tricky one.  Pasteis de Belem in Lisbon has pasteis de nata as good as you would expect from the place claiming to be the original.  Still using the secret recipe from 1837 when the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos started selling them to raise money for the closing convents and monastery, the tarts have perfectly flaky pastry and ooze creamy custard. Hot on their heels though, is Manteigaria, with shops in both Lisbon and Porto.  Watch the bakers as they work, and eat hot from the oven perfect tarts, filled to the brim with caramelised custard.  They also serve a delicious breakfast bowl with oats, berries and nut butter if you feel you need some breakfast before your pastel de nata...but I won't judge you if these glorious tarts are your...

June 2020 Often on tapas menus one finds the same dishes over and over again so I found it refreshing to come across the creative dishes of Arbequina.  Think spicy, melt in the mouth nduja spread on to toast with sweet honey and earthy thyme, or rich and tender chicken thighs contrasting with the crispest skin, the zing of romesco and the sweet bite of spring onion.  There are also plenty of old time favourites making an appearance on the menu too, with patatas bravas and an exceptional onion tortilla.    For dessert, their custard tarts are famous around Oxford, and their Santiago tart is gooey, almondy and paired with poached apricots and cream. Beverages haven't been left behind either, with an inspired drinks menu.  My favourite thing to do is order a White Negroni as an aperitif - more subtle and balanced that it's traditional counterpart, the citrusey, aromatic flavour of the bergamot really shines through. Find Arbequina on Cowley Road...