Book & Cook -The Literary Man – Óbidos Hotel

Book & Cook -The Literary Man – Óbidos Hotel

Monica Tindall

Book & Cook restaurant, located in The Literary Man – Óbidos Hotel, combines the love of literature with local cuisine and Lisboa wines.

Large arches and books lining the walls from floor to ceiling make for a striking setting. Tables are crafted from upcycled wood and adorned with pages from old books protected under a glass top. Soft, warm lighting and gentle jazz tunes create a cosy atmosphere, complemented by a polished stone floor. While we’re seated at a dinner table, queen-sized sofas by the fireplace invite us to return. I imagine crafting my next novel with the aid of a bottle of Óbidos red and the literary greats watching over me.

Book & Cook Menu

Book & Cook kitchen is led by Chef Tiago Verissimo. He describes the cuisine as Portuguese creatively deconstructed, prepared with love and heart. The restaurant’s philosophy revolves around sourcing everything from the Obidos hills, forest, and sea. The team hunts, fishes, and harvests, sourcing everything locally and making all recipes from scratch. Their forte is cured and smoked meats, for which they have many repeat guests.

Chef Tiago Verissimo, a local with generations of family roots in the area, brings a unique blend of experiences to his culinary craft. Having lived in England and Paris, he infuses his dishes with a touch of international influence. Additionally, his creative spirit extends beyond the kitchen, as he is also a tattoo artist and visual artist, with creativity woven into his very being. He proudly shares that he learned many of the recipes from the old people of the area. He pays homage to traditional culinary heritage while contemporising recipes with innovative techniques and presentation. Book & Cook’s menu uses famous literary references to name dishes and is presented in both Portuguese and English.

To Start

The Senhores do Bosque, Paulo Caetano (14€), a dish featuring deer carpaccio with wild berry sauce and apple puree, is an eye-catching start. The presentation includes a six-step instruction guide, layering bread crisps with the various sauces and carpaccio before devouring. The meat is tender, and the seasonings supply a balance of sweet, tart, salt and a hint of spice.

Another excellent beginning is the Salada Literária (13€), a house salad featuring honeydew melon, house-cured duck ham, rocket, mixed leaves, and a ring of seeds on the rim of the bowl. Olive oil and balsamic dressing can be added as you please. We’d order this again in a heartbeat.

Lisboa Wine List

Perfectly complementing the regional food is a well-chosen wine list offering a selection from the Lisbon wine region and even labels made less than 10 kilometres away from the restaurant. The Óbidos, Reserve Old Vines 2015 red from Casa das Gaeiras, was an excellent match for our upcoming meaty mains. The blend of Syrah, Touriga Franca, and Touriga Nacional boasts a clean and shiny ruby hue with aromas of figs, tobacco, and eucalyptus. It exhibits soft and fine tannins, well-integrated wood, and a complex and long finish.

Mains

Moving on to the mains, we indulge in A Vida num Sopro, José Rodrigues dos Santos (18€), which features a loaf of entrecôte with garlic butter and a trilogy of tubers. Served in a heavy cast iron pan, the premium cut of beef is tender and incredibly tasty. A wooden bucket of root vegetable chips, including mandioc, sweet potato, and leek, provides a delightful crunchy contrast.

Showcasing the popular Portuguese espetada (skewers), the Serões da Província, Júlio Dinis (22€), is composed of wild boar, prawns, and bacon, accompanied by chestnut puree. The pork seasoning reminds me of tandoor spices, and the sweet contrasting mash, ground bacon bits, and cured leek strips make a complete meal. It’s one of the few places where all ingredients for “surf and turf” can truly be local with the town’s close proximity to both the sea and hills.

Book & Cook Review

Book & Cook in The Literary Man – Óbidos Hotel is a haven for literary and culinary enthusiasts alike. With its inviting atmosphere, locally-sourced ingredients, and Chef Tiago Verissimo’s creative touch, the restaurant offers a memorable dining experience where old recipes meet contemporary innovation.

Reasons to visit Book & Cook at The Literary Man: for lovers of literature and a delicious wine and gourmet experience rooted in local ingredients and tradition.

Book & Cook Restaurant in The Literary Man – Óbidos Hotel
Rua DJoão dOrnelas, 2510-074 Óbidos
+351 262 959 214
www.theliteraryman.pt

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