We are in the municipality of Guarda, between mountains and northern hospitality, we met Alice Gomes, the owner of Espaço Ego, a unique restaurant in Seia. When she came across this old mansion with more than 300 years of history, she realized that there was something very special here and that this could also be her “home”.
Adventure was part of her life, Alice Gomes lived in Cape Verde, traveled to different countries, and has worked in hospitality before, bringing with her a good handful of experiences and ideas that brought her to the original homeland with the desire to do something different. It was here that this project began, which this September celebrated 18 years of life.
The mansion is grand, with several rooms – all different in terms of size and atmosphere – and is spread over three floors. On the lower floor, a large terrace meets the eye of those who visit and is the ideal space for dinner with a superb view over the mountain, where the sunset offers us the divine colors of a late summer. It is also on the top floor that the private events take place, with a cozy and more exclusive space. On the ground floor, the various rooms are the starting point for good times at the table.
Inside, the decor is a mix of classic and modern, comfortable and cozy. We quickly imagine ourselves here having tea in the middle of the afternoon as well as executive lunches or long dinners, at a table surrounded by friends. This versatility is one of the reasons for the success of this space, which attracts the people of Seia and its surroundings, with a vast and eclectic audience.
We begin our tasting with a tempting Cheese Board, where the northern flavors are intensely felt, bread and wine on the table, followed by a Mixed Meat Board (with picanha, chicken breast, shrimp and grilled pineapple), accompanied by a delicious sangria, where the end comes with a sweet Orange Pie.
Homemade cuisine with quality ingredients that can also be tasted in other options of the menu: Lamb Stew, Wild Boar Feijoada, Grilled Octopus or Tuna Bitoque with Shrimp. Vegetarian options are also available. Espaço Ego is a different space, made of affection, genuine cuisine and the good hospitality that you feel as soon as you enter. We had a very good experience and we promised a new visit.
By Carla Branco