Text José Silva | Translation Bruno Ferreira

Peniche is a town well-known by its quality and high fish/shellfish market movement, by its ancient fortress, nowadays turned in to a museum which once was used as a prison for political prisoners. Also known by its beaches, mainly the Baleal at north, and the Supertubos at south, true sanctuaries for the sea sports practitioners, focus to surf and body board.

These sportsmen and adventurers are constant presence in Peniche, throughout the year, inclusively there are even several boards’ manufacturers who have settled there, along with specific clothing manufacturers for these sports, which are themselves also well-known all over the world. When national, european and even world championships are held there, we can experience true pilgrimages between practitioners and spectators.

Right in front of Peniche we have the beauty of the islands Berlengas, a protected marine area, rich in fish and seafood.
Peniche is also a much sought out destination for its sea gastronomy and has good restaurants serving what the fantastic sea provides.

One of these perches is “Tasca do Joel” which has been getting famous across the country and even a bit across the world, largely due to the quality of the products they use, the careful preparation thereof and sympathy and wisdom of its owner, Mr. Jael, a force of nature.

He is also a wine connoisseur, it’s usual to find there a lot of producers, from all over the country, which acknowledge this man’s benefic work towards our wines.

In such a way that a few years back, Mr Jael made a shop at the restaurant’s entrance where we can delight ourselves with a huge choice of wines and other products, some of them “gourmet”, which drive many appreciators there.

Last time, along with some simple things, like sauce, came the regional bread to the table.

And we started with Berlengas’ delicious limpets, emanating a sea flavour, followed by some fantastic whelk au gratin.

Then came to the table superb squids, in thick slices, grilled with the region’s red onion, olive oil, olives and coriander, lightly stiff and tasty.

The sea bass, uberfresh, came in two different confections: firstly grilled in generous flitches, without neglecting the head, eaten with the hand, a marvel.

Next up was a Cataplana with its fish sirloin stewed with pasta, a dish with its origins on the fishermen’s stews. The mellowy fish, the pasta right on point, and a delicious sauce where we kept soaking the bread.

To end a simple dessert with the region’s rock pear, pear sauce, ice cream of vanilla and mint. Digestive, very good.

Among the several tasted wines, a highlight for a white and a red both made specially to this tavern by Bento dos Santos of Quinta do Monte d’Oiro. Their names are Left Foot (white) and Right Foot (red), with a representation of both flip flops on the bottles, a tribute which Mr. Jael intended to do, through the wine, to the many many surfers who are its customers throughout the year.

The sea, well, it’s still there, waiting for us …

Contacts
Tasca do Joel
Rua do Lapadusso, 73
2520-370 Peniche
Tel: (+351) 262 782 945
Fax: (+351) 262 782 235
Email: tascadojoel@gmail.com
Site: www.tascadojoel.pt