Bon Bon restaurant

 

For my last afternoon on my patio, the weather could not have been more spectacular.  Warm, brilliant sun, and I will miss being here as I head West to Carrapateira tomorrow for a last few days in Portugal.

I had lunch today that I've been dreaming about for 3 years.  I went to Bon Bon in 2022 and I think it was the best meal I'd ever had.  Until today.  Now I have eaten there again and it's just amazing.  It's a Michelin-starred restaurant and it's very much a special occasion kind of meal (the special occasion for me was eating out -- this is only the 2nd fine dining meal I've had on this trip).  At the end of lunch, I had a very nice conversation with the fabulous chef, Jose Lopes, about the beautiful and delicious food. 

Here's the thing -- I used to have a lot of things I'd say I didn't eat or didn't like.  Five years ago, I decided I was not going to be a person who refused to try new things.  I didn't want to reject things that I was sure (from when I was a little kid?) I didn't like.  It's been a great adventure since then to try almost everything (including -- ahem! -- pig's ear, which I was challenged to eat after sharing my new resolve with someone who immediately wanted to put it to the test.  One bite was enough, thanks!) and to try things prepared in ways I used to reject outright.

Anyway, when I was talking to the chef, I shared that I put my trust 100% in him.  His inventive preparations were full of flavor, texture and some mystery.  There wasn't anything I had today that I wouldn't eat again in a heartbeat, as long as it was at Bon Bon.  I won't put you through the whole meal (although I did take pictures of everything) but I took a full 2 1/2 hours to savor, slowly, all of the different bites and courses.  Here's two dishes! 

Amberjack, with its skin, which the chef had crisped separately, served with shrimp and a corn and vegetable sauce.

This jewel box filled with shells was the "plate" for a bite of the chef's version of bacalhau a bras, which in this case was thinly sliced potatoes encasing a salt cod and potato puree.  It was a small, 2-bite portion.

The restaurant website is bonbon.pt and should you find yourself in the Algarve, I recommend it!