Vinum

Friday July 26th, 2024
Rating: 4
by Derick Rethans

After one of our entertainments, a tour and tasting of Graham's port wines, we had booked a table at Vinum. Situated at Graham's Port Lodge with magnificent views over Porto, the Douro river, and Vila Nova de Gaia. It had come recommended by a colleague.

First we were briefly seated outside for a drink with a great view, which was unexpected (and a little chilly). After this confusion was resolved, we were seated at a large table, in an airy and bright room, and the great view—they don't guarantee you get that though. It was also fairly quiet when we got there, at 18:30.

The restaurant also does a tasting menu (with wine pairing, if you desire), but we went à la carte again. We forwent our starter, and instead had four very plumb oysters.

As main course I selected the grilled tuna, which was wrapped in chard and slightly seared — which is how it is supposed to be. It came with a charred pepper and garlic mash. My wife picked the "Vace Velha" tataki, which was served with a roast potato and caramelised onions. The port lodge's owners also produce Duoro wines, so to go with our meal we selected a bottle of Altano Reserva 2021, a rich and complex white wine.

We still had some space for desserts, and my wife choose a baked peach with vanilla ice cream, and I had a pineapple dish. As we were in a port lodge, we paired this with a Graham's 20 years old Tawny, which was served in a gigantic 4.5l bottle. The tray that came on, also contained a port from 1882, but at €900 a glass, a little over budget.

The food was good, and the service excellent. The view magnificent, and the atmosphere relaxing. It was a "bit" of a hike up the hill, but certainly worth visiting — especially after also having done a tour of their warehouses.

Fat Oysters
Fat Oysters
Seared Tuna Wrapped in Chard
Seared Tuna Wrapped in Chard
Vace Velha Tataki
Vace Velha Tataki
Big Bottle of Graham's 20
Big Bottle of Graham's 20
Baked Peach with Vanilla Ice Cream
Baked Peach with Vanilla Ice Cream
Pineapple Many Ways
Pineapple Many Ways
Rua do Agro 141 (Caves Graham's), 4400-003 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
Starters: €8-€24; Mains: €22-€34; Dessert: €7-€15; Wines: €19-€1250