The Atalho Group restaurants have just extended Wagyu Fest, which is the last chance to eat the best meat in the world at incredible prices: 30% off the normal menu price.
We went there and were very impressed with the quality of these tender and delicious steaks from Japan and Australia. We’ll tell you all about our experience, but first, a brief introduction to the most delicious meat we’ve ever eaten.
For many, the best meat in the world
Until we tasted it, we confessed to a certain amount of disbelief, not least because we believe that our meat is very tasty and of high quality, as is the case with Barrosã, Arouquesa and Azorean meat, the kind from the “happy” cows.
If our cows are treated well, then what about the animals that supply us with these Wagyu steaks from Japan (also produced in Australia under the name Wagyu Denver Steak), known for their intense marbling and capable of providing us with a tender texture and a rich, balanced flavor. Our immediate reaction was: “Wow, this isn’t meat!”
As soon as you put one of these pieces in your mouth it’s as if you’re “eating” a cloud, and we can’t think of a better way to explain the delicacy of these meats as soon as they come into contact with our taste buds.
The experts at the Atalho restaurant, where we tried two of these steaks (the Japanese and Australian versions), say that these animals are massaged daily, listen to classical music and drink beer. This is even better than “dog life”, isn’t it?
In Japan, the A5 classification is used to present the highest standard of these Wagyu steaks, reflecting the superior level of marbling and quality.
In Australia, on the other hand, for climatic and animal feeding reasons, Wagyu steaks also offer a delicate texture and intense flavor, melting in the mouth of anyone who has the opportunity to eat them.
We didn’t ask about the classification of the meats tasted, but from the sensations we had, we can guarantee that you’ll have an incredible gastronomic experience in these restaurants, and at a bombastic price of 30% less.
Our experience
If you’ve never tried Wagyu beef, seriously, hurry up and book a table at one of these restaurants… you don ‘t get this quality every day.
We chose the Atalho restaurant in Cais do Sodré for our gastronomic experience, and we were divinely welcomed by the staff, who explained everything we needed to know about these wonderful meats.
We started with a Loin Tartare au Couteau, fresh and well-seasoned; Provolone Cheese (12€) au gratin with oregano and Bolo do Caco; and a Wagyu Carpaccio (18€), whose thin slices really highlighted the quality of the meat.
As main courses we chose two cuts of Wagyu: 220g of Australian beef and 220g of Japanese beef, along with a selection of side dishes such as potatoes au gratin, French fries, coleslaw, mixed salad, grilled mushrooms and rice (various prices).
It was easy to tell the difference between the cuts. Both delicious, the Japanese Wagyu (€40) offers a more marbled and smooth texture, while the Australian piece (€35) surprised with its fuller flavor. In the end, we preferred the original Japanese version.
To “push” all this down (not that it was necessary, given the lightness of these meats) we opted for the first wine that came out of the host’s mouth, a Maçanita Letra A Touriga Nacional 2022 (50€).
And to finish, a Pineapple Carpaccio, light and sweet; and a Red Fruit Cheesecake, also smooth and creamy.
This “sort of” gastronomic festival will be available until February 9, for lunch and dinner, except on Fridays and Saturdays, from 7pm to 10pm, and Sundays at lunchtime.
If you’re looking for a unique gastronomic experience that combines flavor, texture and excellence, book your table at one of Atalho’s restaurants before this promotion ends.
Address: Rua de São Paulo 32 (Cais do Sodré); Calçada da Patriarcal 40 (Príncipe Real); Avenida Rio de Janeiro 52 (Alvalade); Coelho da Rocha 103 (Mercado Campo de Ourique)
Opening hours: until February 9th
Menus and reservations: on the website