Our flaming sausages were crispy and spicy (From Echo)

Our flaming sausages were crispy and spicy

10:20pm Wednesday 22nd April 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

DURING our excellent evening at Portuguese restaurant O Picado, the entertaining owner explained to us the wonders of eating out in his home country.

He tells us that late at night men and women gather in dimly-lit bars with low ceilings to tuck into the most succulent meats while mournful Fado songs are strummed on a Portuguese guitar.

While O Picado does not quite live up to its owner’s impossibly romantic ideal, it is still a wonderful night out.

First, it must be noted the restaurant is not strictly Portuguese, but from the island of Madeira, Portugal’s Atlantic outpost.

Inside O Picado, the decor is a mix of bright colours and native bric-a-brac, giving it a welcoming and homely feel.

We sat in the front, but behind the bar the restaurant opens up. Called the Secret Garden, a long terrace decorated with flags and candles allows diners to feel like they are eating al fresco.

The menu is an enticing mixture of meats and fish. Although there are vegetarian options, this place is probably best enjoyed by carnivores. For starters, I had marinated mackerel while my partner went for mussels merinier. The mackerel was beautifully cooked and complemented by a zingy tomato sauce. My partner’s shell fish, in a rich white wine sauce, were big and delicious.

Greedily, we also went for the flamed Portuguese sausage theatrically cooked at the table as you turn it above a bowl of alcohol.

We were left with a tasty chorizo that was crispy on the outside and spicy in the centre.

The drama continued for the main, where my mixed grill was spectacularly served on a vertical skewer that looked a bit like a medieval torture device.

The cuttings of chicken, pork loin and beef were char-grilled and deliciously succulent. The sirloin beef, which I had cooked rare, was particularly juicy.

It all came with a side portion of fries and maize – a salty Portuguese bread.

My only complaint was the result was a little dry and could have done with a dipping sauce.

My partner had fish stew, containing a mix of white fish, mussels and potato served in a steamy tomato sauce. She reported it was flavoursome.

The meal, with a very drinkable glass of Portuguese red, came in at a little under £45 – fantastically generous, especially as it could have fed another person.

O Picado, 403 London Road, Westcliff 01702 300540 What we ate Mussels merinier £4.50 Marinated mackerel £4.50 Flamed Portuguese sausage, bread, olives & glass of wine £8.50 Traditional fish stew £12.50 Chargrilled sirloin, chicken, and pork with salad, chips & fried maize £12 Our verdict (OUT OF 5) Atmosphere 5 Food 4 Decor 4 Value 5 Service 5 Disabled access Yes