Al-sud, the Michelin star in the Algarve sky

restaurant

                                      Al Sud, a restaurant with Andalusian roots

Al Sud means “the south”. Al is the Arabic prefix that gave the Algarve its name. So the Algarve is the home of chef Louis Anjos’ restaurant.

He has a French-sounding first name, but it’s in the United States that his influence lies.

Louis Anjos created Al-sud in 2021, at the height of the Covid pandemic. The restaurateur didn’t expect to win his first Michelin star a year later, in 2022.

As creative as he is a seasoned businessman, Louis Anjos clearly defines his strategy: work and more work.

But Al-Sud is conceived as a veritable showcase for Al-Andalus, the ancient Andalusian territory that covered Spain and Portugal at the time of the domination of the Umayyad civilisation (711-1492).

The restaurant offers mainly fish, shellfish and crustacean dishes. After all, Al-Sud is built on the seafront.

Citrines, herbs and spices contribute to the exquisite flavours.

Your palate will be tingling, especially that of www.lisbonne-affinités.com, who was able to test the mastery of Chef Anjos.

                                            Quality and the Algarve first and foremost

Al Sud is also an attitude. “We’re on the Atlantic coast. We have to have the best fish and shellfish”. From the outset, chef Louis Anjos sets out the guidelines for his creative cuisine.

The products are chosen from the region: two suppliers are close by. The same goes for the oysters: they come from the Alvor estuary, which flows into the ocean very close to Al-Sud.

The sleek, modern restaurant is understated and discreet. It has a terrace that opens out onto the Palmares resort golf course and the sandy coastline.

Eight tables are set for 2 tasting menus. One is longer, with a selection of wines chosen by a skilled sommelier.

The kitchen brigade consists of 5/6 cooks and pastry chefs. The young and efficient wait staff is also made up of 5 or 6 people.

The originality of the dishes is enhanced by Vista Alegre Portuguese crockery. The plates, which are often not plates at all, are a reminder of the dominant theme: the sea.

“It’s in this region of the Algarve that I fit in, in tune with what nature has to offer. You have to immerse yourself in the region and find out what people eat in this part of Portugal. I often start with the product, a gilthead bream, a carabiniere (a very red shrimp), molluscs to compose a dish” says Chef Louis Anjos.

Al Sud is a culinary experience that golfers can treat themselves to at least once during their stay. Or two, or three…

Of course, Al Sud is open to the general public. Especially as the restaurant also offers Clubehouse-style dishes and snacks.

                                    An invitation to a gastronomic journey

The menu with wine tasting includes a total of 14 ‘moments’. The moments are dishes or culinary experiences. And not everything can be eaten.

The rinsing towel, for example, looks like a slice of goat cheese….

But it is part of the expression of fine dining, where you are told a story around refined and elegant dishes.

From sea urchin with champagne as an amuse bouche to lobster accompanied by an Andalusian ‘salmorejo’ (cold tomato soup with garlic and olive oil), the dishes fulfil their mission: to take you on a journey to the Al-Gharb (Algarve) of today and yesterday.

Combinations are made with emulsions of basil, samphire and coriander. The dishes are cooked slowly and the fish reductions bring out the flavours.

For dessert, as promised, the citrines are there, with the Algarve orange mousse marinated in lemon and its fennel ice cream.

Chef Louis Anjos has clearly had his fun, but his technically mastered dishes respect the produce and showcase the expertise he has acquired in the world’s top restaurants.

Al Sud is a lovely place to stop.

restaurant

                                     The perfect combination of Palmares Ocean Living & golf resort.

Al Sud is located in the heart of Palmares, a green setting. The 27-hole golf course, one of the oldest in the Algarve, stretches right down to the ocean.

The contemporary-style resort offers 37 flats and villas with bold designs that blend into the landscape.

The offer is completed by a 5-star hotel with 20 rooms and a restaurant – again, Louis Anjos’ cuisine in the form of daily specials and snacks.

The whole complex is integrated into a renowned golf club. The view over the Bay of Lagos and the immense Meia Praia beach is superb.

As far as the concept of “leisure, nature and gastronomy” is concerned, it’s perfectly suited. But you can limit yourself to a gastronomic stopover and enjoy the tastes and flavours brought out by Chef Louis.

The visit to the resort was made possible thanks to the organisation of Sandra Gato of the www.lemonzest.pt agency.

sandragato@lemonzest.pt

917 884 478

restaurant

                                                                     An informed Al Sud

The Al Sud and the Palmares (hotel and golf course) are just fifteen minutes from Lagos.

The town of Lagos is one of the Algarve’s top holiday destinations.

This complex even offers direct access to the beach, after a ten-minute walk. But beware of golf balls! Visibility is not always guaranteed.

And the place is busy: it’s one of the most popular spots in the south.

The Al Sud restaurant is just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel.

Contact for the hotel

reception@palmaresresort.com

Tel + 351 912 565 323

Contact for the restaurant

restaurantalsud@palmaresresort.com

The gastronomic restaurant offers two menus.

the 8 ‘moments’ menu, 180 euros . Plus wines 95 euros

the 6 ‘moments’ menu, 160 euros (without lobster). Plus wine 75 euros.

https://www.palmaresliving.com/pt-pt/al-sud/

We recommend you consult the Michelin Guide Portugal

https://guide.michelin.com/pt/pt_PT