Hool - Guimarães

Exceptional. A delightful experience of taste and beauty. The chef excelled herself and we were all so impressed. Our waiter was as attentive as he was professi... read more Exceptional. A delightful experience of taste and beauty. The chef excelled herself and we were all so impressed. Our waiter was as attentive as he was professional and really just lovely. As were the other staff. A very special meal we will not forget.

Stayed in the hotel for a night whilst travelling. The town was really busy so we booked a table at the hotel Restaurant. Wonderful food, great service. The tur... read more Stayed in the hotel for a night whilst travelling. The town was really busy so we booked a table at the hotel Restaurant. Wonderful food, great service. The turbot was fabulous as was the beetroot starter. It’s expensive for Portugal but the food is worth every penny.

Having read some of the mixed reviews I was not too sure about this place in advance. The restaurant is situated in a corner of a beautiful square. I sat outsid... read more Having read some of the mixed reviews I was not too sure about this place in advance. The restaurant is situated in a corner of a beautiful square. I sat outside and enjoyed the ambience. The service could not have been more professional and I had a delicious Crustacean soup.

To be clear, the food was terrific, with a complex articulations of flavours and textures. Exceptional balance and lightness of touch, with incredibly interesti... read more To be clear, the food was terrific, with a complex articulations of flavours and textures. Exceptional balance and lightness of touch, with incredibly interesting explorations of sea flavours and ‘sauces’ that underpinned each dish (an important distinction here – not a sauce poured over at the end, but something in the architecture of the dish. But, as a dining experience, there was an unevenness in the service that should be addressed. Hool presents itself as high-end and aspirational, but it does not seem that the staff have internalised this. They made every effort to be polite, but with a formality that was awkward, stiff and uneasy. For instance, while it was clear they had been told to ask us if we liked each dish, the inquiry seemed mechanical. And wine was poured at regular intervals rather than when glasses went low. We think it would be better if they were to embrace a more natural approach. Observe the guests, and ease up! And a small difficulty at the end of the meal. We had not ordered a dessert, nor coffee. In most restaurants aiming at this standard, we would still be given a petit four or something just to round out the evening and mark a conclusion. But without that gesture there was no ‘signal’ that we had come to the end, so that we had realize this ourselves, get the waiting staff’s attention to indicate we understood we should leave, and ask for our bill. But, again, the food was terrific. While there is promise here, in conclusion it was expensive for Portugal given the incomplete experience.

Though the food is a little pricy, the experience was well worth it. Every dish ordered was superbly presented and tasty. Service was friendly and efficient. Th... read more Though the food is a little pricy, the experience was well worth it. Every dish ordered was superbly presented and tasty. Service was friendly and efficient. The outdoor seating at the nicest public square in Guimaraes, a luxury.