The new star ratings for the 2014 Michelin Guide to Portugal were released this week.
Among the illustrious ranks are two restaurants keeping their two stars in the Algarve – Vila Vita Parc’s Ocean restaurant (Porches) led by Chef Hans Neuner, and Vila Joya (Albufeira) led by Chef Dieter Koschina.
“Portugal should have more stars to help with tourism,” Koschina told Lusa at the recent awards ceremony in Spain.
“There are at least 10 Portuguese restaurants that could have one star,” he added.
Hans Neuner also commented on the results – very satisfied with the accolade maintained by his restaurant. “Portuguese cooking is undervalued but very good,” he said.
Elsewhere, the Algarve’s Henrique Leis (Almancil) and Willie’s (Vilamoura) restaurants maintain their one star rating whilst São Gabriel (Almancil), where the ownership and chef changed earlier this year, has lost its star.
Outside of the Algarve, Il Gallo d’Oro (Funchal, Madeira), Casa de Calçada (Amarante), Fortaleza do Guincho (Cascais), The Yeatman (Vila Nova de Gaia), and Feitoria and Belcanto (both in Lisbon) all kept their stars.
New additions are L’And Vineyards, led by Chef Miguel Laffan, in Montemor-o-Novo, and Eleven, led by Chef Joachim Koerper in Lisbon, which regains the star it had lost in 2012.
News of the awards came during the presentation in the Basque town of Bilbao of Guide Michelin’s 2014 edition for Spain and Portugal.
