Many an online recommendation list mentioned Santo Antonio as one of the best local dining options in Porto. It seemed to be frequented by locals and tourists with a continuous stream of people wanting to get in even to the later hours of the night. What I didn't expect was that there would be a really lovely and popular (with locals drinking) sunset spot at Horto das Virtudes. And of course after seeing the colours disappear from over the Douro river, there's no better place to eat than here.
Luckily although the place was full, the warm autumn evening (with only a light cool breeze) meant that eating outside at the first available table was a fine option. I had read that they do the best cod fritters in town and so gave up my instincts of pig cheeks or veal stew to get it.
- Empanadas 1€ each - offered first as a snack and gladly accepted. There was a nice meat version and also a fish (almost certainly cod) one with chunks of flesh and a creamy sauce;
- Pataniscas con arroz de feijao (cod patties with bean rice) €8 - crisp fried thick cod pieces served with a flavoursome rice. I wondered if the rice was cooked in a pork stock perhaps;
- Bacalhau a braga (codfish fried with sauce of onion) €14 - bacalao which has been salted and hence dried until it had an intrinsic lovely chewy texture. It was a little bit too salty (unsurprising given the method of preparation) but overall really delicious. Crisp flats of potatoes accompanied;
- Desserts are on display in the cabinet inside. Egg white flan had a strong burnt flavour (not bad though) and really soft, light inside. Cheese tart was thick and served surprisingly with caramelised pumpkin.
Overall an excellent meal and one I would go back to next time.