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"On a visit to
Paul Heathcote's marvellous new Spanish restaurant, Grado,
across town, we got chatting to two Portuguese chef's. Inevitably
the conversation turned to Luso, the city's only real Portuguese
offering - unless of course you count the many branches of the Nando's
Chicken franchise. We'd read many mixed reviews about Luso, largely
by pompous jounalists or unreliable 'pay-us-for-a-good-review' websites.
Even the reviews submitted previously on this page spoke highly
of the 'amazing food' but then complained it was 'over priced'.
Our two new Portuguese friends basically repeated the same observations,
although in fairness Grado is not exactly
cheap neither. They said they loved the food at Luso however were
more disappointed there wasn't much of a Portuguese community feeling
about the place - most customers being British business folk with
the city's Portuguese fraternity visibly hanging around at Pau
Brasil in the Northern Quarter instead. Not seeing either of
these minor gripes as a problem, we arranged to entertain some top
London journo's that evening at the Bridge Street establishment.
Despite our late in
the evening arrival, the service was very friendly and welcoming.
Carlos, who we recognised from Piccolino in Stockton Heath, where
this website was born, was extremely helpful in explaining the menu.
He recommended Luso's signature dish, the Pork Vindaloo (£14.95),
which was quite simply stunning. I'm not sure what illegal ingredients
they put in it, however I woke up the next morning wanting to go
back and feed my new-found fix - it's certainly worth returning
for again and again. Unlike the taste-bud killing variety you find
in Indian restaurants, the Vindaloo here is a succulent lightly
spiced pork and wine stew, from the beautiful Indian state of Goa,
once a Portuguese colony. And that maybe where the argument from
the Portuguese chef's at Grado comes about.
Luso doesn't try to be an out and out Portuguese restaurant, it
offers a modern take on the traditional dishes from Portuguese colonies.
That said, the Portuguese
version of sirloin steak, Bifa á Portuguesa (£18.95)
and the Portuguese Monkfish (£18), were also exceptional and
the wine list is as representative as any you'd find in the Algarve.
As mentioned by many people though, the price is a little on the
high side with most dishes requiring side orders - Potatoes at £3.50
and Beans at £3.65 are a bit pricey but the Walnut & Mushroom
Salad (£4.50) is again, worth revisiting for alone!
So overall, Luso was
as we had been lead to expect; food that is as good, if not better,
than anywhere else in town but priced as high, if not higher, than
some of the most exclusive restaurants in the city. Would the price
put us off returning? Hell, no! I have a new addiction to feed!"
- neil, Manchester Restaurants 10/12/07 (visited on a thursday
evening)
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"I
ate at Luso's yesterday lunch time with a business associate. Luso's
offer an interesting Portuguese menu, with a good selection
of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes on offer. The staff
were very helpful and took the time to run through the menu
before taking our order. Luso's is lively, but at
the same time your meal is served at a relaxed pace that seems to
suit the menu. Hard to explain really, must be a Portuguese thing!
All the food is prepared fresh to order and was cooked to
perfection, well presented and served on
warm plates. The fish is particularly good and there
are some unusual side orders to accompany your main course. I can
recommend the spring cabbage and pancetta! I was so impressed, that
I've booked a table for my family and I on Christmas Eve!"
- richard newman, chinley 14/12/07 (visited on a thurs lunch) |
