Callum - Oleiros

Callum, is Santa Margarida's Hotel, in Oleiros and its service and dishes are so rare as its name shared with a very rare wine, exclusively produced in Oleiros... read more Callum, is Santa Margarida's Hotel, in Oleiros and its service and dishes are so rare as its name shared with a very rare wine, exclusively produced in Oleiros (and surroundings).

Slightly by accident I found myself eating at this restaurant frequently over the course of a week. It is clearly a restaurant that has pretensions, and is aimi... read more Slightly by accident I found myself eating at this restaurant frequently over the course of a week. It is clearly a restaurant that has pretensions, and is aiming I am sure to cater to the wedding party and celebration market. Its capacity vastly exceeds the numbers of guests I experienced. The atmosphere is good, the staff (especially once they got to know us us being predominantly me and my 18 month old son) were a delight, the wine list exceptionally well priced (I followed the waiter's recommendation the first night for a local wine at 8 euros which was unready that night but much mellower and balanced the following day and then a bottle from the douro that was around the price you'd pay in the shops in the UK let alone a restaurant). So onto the food. My favourite dish probably was the pigs cheeks. Braised slowly, soft and full of flavour. Followed by the ambitious Octopus with chestnuts, that worked the first time I had it, less so the second. The guinea fowl was overcooked and dry, regrettably as I'd really looked forward to that, but still very tasty. The salt cod was excellent. No exceptional desserts, but consistently good. So it has some way to go to prove itself and to maintain regular quality, but it felt it was only a short step. I was mostly very happy.

Two of us stayed in the Santa Margarida hotel and enjoyed lunch, dinner and breakfast at the Callum Restaurant. From the minute we walked in, Joao Fernandes loo... read more Two of us stayed in the Santa Margarida hotel and enjoyed lunch, dinner and breakfast at the Callum Restaurant. From the minute we walked in, Joao Fernandes looked after us impeccably. Delicious fish soup with hunks of groupa fish, saffron, slightly peppery but very tasty sauce; grilled veal with goat's cheese. We didn't care for the dessert so Joao quickly served us with juicy, crunchy fresh pineapple and melon. Fabulously tender octopus as a main dish and wild boar cooked in a casserole style followed by a chocolate and banana pancake. Great gutsy and fruity local red wine at 14 degrees. Buffet style breakfast with good choice and excellent coffee.

Staying in the hotel santa margarida, we decided to have dinner in the onsite callum restaurant. We were very disappointed with the steak. Ordering a medium ste... read more Staying in the hotel santa margarida, we decided to have dinner in the onsite callum restaurant. We were very disappointed with the steak. Ordering a medium steak, getting a well done steak. The waiter explained that this was medium for the chef in the kitchen no pink at all, all brown and dry). I have ordered mediium steaks all around the world, all had a pink center. Must say that he offered to bake a new steak for me, I was done with it and left it the way it was and not eating the rest of the steak). The wine was fine.

In a Great hotel is a very Good restaurant. Very professional and attentive staff. They give Good advice! The slow cooked babygoat was delicious, the lavender s... read more In a Great hotel is a very Good restaurant. Very professional and attentive staff. They give Good advice! The slow cooked babygoat was delicious, the lavender scented creme brullée is also worth respect. The wine pairing was also Good with strong red from Dão region.