Dom Sancho

Nobody goes to Sortelha – unless you know the village. It is an incredible medieval village, deep in Portugal, next to the Spanish border. It is a really off the beaten path place – and a magical one. Imagine an old village at the top of a granite block, surrounded by old and well preserved walls, its houses mad of grey stone and moss, under an amazing blue sky. My girlfriend was amazed at the place and the pureness of the air! And, if you go to this fairy tale village – make sure you stop by the restaurant!

Dom Sancho is in the first square of the village, right after you drive your car through a narrow wall gate. It is a two storey wall building, like any other in the village – the first floor is a small bar and the top one being the dining room. Once you step inside, you feel the outdoor magic flows indoor as well. The sober room, decorated with some game motives on the walls, the wood chairs and tables, the kitchen at the end – it all seems authentic. And some small details, like the menu being just a brown paper sheet nailed to a wooden piece just reinforce it.

For food, ask for the traditional starters – Iberian ham, Serra cheese, salami,… It is all non processed, organic, from the region that surrounds this village. Don’t forget to order a good Dão red wine, with a strong taste that goes well with the flavours you will put in your mouth in just a couple of minutes. For entrees you have a couple of options. You have game, like wild boar stew (that was delicious) or an assortment of deer. You may also order rabbit or hare, cooked the traditional way – “à caçadora”, meaning “hunter style”. Or then, you can try one of the oven cooked fish, like cod or octopus “à lagareiro”, with a tasty olive oil and soaked potatoes. Whatever the option, let me tell you that will make you really consider the possibility of walking down to the square and take a nap under the sun, lying against an old tree and looking at the ever-standing city walls. And will make you wish to come back to this village and restaurant.

Sortelha and Dom Sancho restaurant are out of the way. It is not a place to go in a fancy night out. But is a great place for a dinner in a romantic weekend, or a good lunch when you go on a family trip and want to show your kids a medieval village. Dom Sancho has the right ingredients to help make this a memorable part of an amazing day

Where: Sortelha - Portugal

Address: Largo Corro

Phone: +351 271 388 267

Expensive: Around €20

Last visit: December 2011