He is unstoppable in his boundless curiosity about everything that can take him further up the culinary ladder.
The Algarve is known by many for its tasty and typical Portuguese and local dishes served in quaint, no-frills restaurants and at very reasonable prices. Pictures of platters filled with grilled fish and meat, baskets of fresh bread, platters of olives and the obligatory carafe of red or white wine constantly grace the pages of suggestive Algarve travel magazines.
But as appealing as the simplicity of such healthy cuisine may be, the Algarve has also built a reputation as a premier dining destination, with upscale restaurants and inspired menus of young chefs rivaling those of the national fine dining and the finest international restaurants.
For a few years now I have known one of these young Michelin star chefs, Rui Silvestre, who is in charge of Restaurant Vistas in Vila Nova de Cacela, close to the picturesque village of Cabanas de Tavira.
The restaurant is located on the great and world-renowned golf & country club of Monte Rei, known for its 18-hole golf course which is located in a valley and surrounded by a rugged landscape and many water hazards. The golf course has been number 1 for 10 years (Top 100 golf courses & Leading courses No. 1 of Portugal).
Rui is a natural born culinary talent. He manages to combine high-quality and local ingredients with emerging global techniques to create dishes with different and refined flavors, served in a setting that overlooks the rolling countryside of the Eastern Algarve, all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.
He personifies absolutely Portugal’s most beautiful values: a strong connection with the ocean, a fascination with journey and discovery, and also a love for his country, its identity and strong traditions.
His aim is to perfectly preserve the authentic taste of the exceptional local ingredients he uses in each dish, and sources only the finest seasonal ingredients from trusted local suppliers, thereby ensuring the most authentic experience possible for every one of his guests.
More about Rui Silvestre
Rui Silvestre was born in Valongo, in the north of Portugal, but has been living in the Algarve since he was 10 years old. He worked at French, Swiss and Hungarian restaurants for 7 years, highlighting Christophe Bacquié's 3 Michelin star restaurant. He returned to Portugal and worked at restaurant Bon Bon, a 25 years old restaurant located at Carvoeiro in the Algarve, where he attained his first Michelin Star in 2015.
After Bon Bon he left for Restaurant Vistas where he again won a Michelin star in 2020.
Rui surprises his guests with a delicate and well balanced cuisine in which he showcases considerable technical skills, endowing classical recipes with a splash of international vibes.
Sitio Do Pocinho - Sesmarias Vila Nova de Cacela 8901-907
Check here for more info about Restaurant Vistas