Text José Silva | Translation Bruno Ferreira

Matosinhos is a land of fishermen, of fish abundance, and has one of the largest fish markets in the country. A market that’s particularly famous for the quality of its sardines – when in their season. It’s also from this market that the many canning factories in Matosinhos and Leça da Palmeira receive their supplies – mostly sardines but also mackerel and some other fishes. In fact Portuguese cans are quite in vogue and their quality keeps rising, making them one of the most sought out sea products across Europe and a bit all around the world. Aside from Matosinhos’ fish market, there’s other fish markets in the municipality. Namely Angeiras, north of the city, which has been collecting a fair amount of devoted clients across the years, be them private or restaurants. There’s fresh fish every day, some of which are still alive when arriving to the market, as well as some shellfish. Special highlight to the goose barnacles, coast shrimp, slipper lobsters, and the excellence of the stone flounder, the octopus, sea bass, ray and so many others, which vary accordingly to seasons and sea states.

Matosinhos is also known by the abundance of restaurants it has, representing one of the largest per capita restaurants’ concentration in Europe. Though there’s already restaurants offering several types of cuisine in Matosinhos, the main reason to go there is for the fresh fish. And there’s true references of the local cuisine, serving high-quality fish and shellfish. One of those places is the restaurant Toupeirinho 2, a consequence of its older brother, Toupeirinho 1 – both serving the same food, with the same quality.

Ample facilities, with two rooms, one of which for smokers. Decorated in simplicity is comfy and very cozy. The one at the front has huge glass panes allowing light in, and has some mirrors along the walls.

The tables are well-set, cared, and the service is professional, attentive and knowledgeable. Also a good variety of wines, served to perfection.

Every day they go to Angeiras’ market to get those delicacies, which are then worked on and brought to the table, and displayed in a showcase next to the counter.

There’s always good bread, crispy toasts and some strips of fried maize bread, all of which can be joined by some canned sardine eggs or some boiled shellfish: fleshy and tasty goose barnacles, coast shrimp (small but very tasty), peeled coast lobster and delicious devil crab, peeled and served on its own shell.

Or some thin slices of Iberian ham and tasty half-cured cheese. The marinated shad fillets are superb, well-seasoned, with onion and vinegar, an awesome tidbit.

On our last visit we ate some fillets of john dory, accompanied with bread soup of fish eggs, creamy, well-seasoned, delicious, an awesome set.

Then we had lobster rice (lobster loin), well-made, perfectly cooked. Generous loaves in a soupy rice, overflowing the dish, delicious.

To finish off beautifully, we had almond’s Queijadinha, tasty and balanced, with the almond flavor contrasting the sweetness very well, a treat.

The selected wine, to accompany this feast, was the Douro Ázeo 2012 white. Intense aroma, a bit floral and plenty of minerality. Dry and persistent. In the mouth shows elegant, with excellent acidity, very fresh, white fruit hints, slightly mineral with citrus hints. A good seafood matching.

Contacts
Toupeirinho 2
Av. Serpa Pinto, 491
Matosinhos
Tel: (+351) 229 371 610
Mobile: (+351) 964 767 433
E-mail: restaurante@toupeirinho.pt
Site: www.toupeirinho.pt