CIRO RESTAURANT: In the beginning there was fire
We're talking about Ciro, the new venture from the Vila Vita group, which is already their fifth restaurant opened outside of that luxury resort and the fourteenth in the chain! We had the opportunity to visit it even before its public opening in the first days of August. Ciro impresses from the start with its layout.
But it is in the culinary concept that the true essence of Ciro lies. The signature “Mediterranean Fire Cooking” hints at what we are in for. At the heart of everything, therefore, is fire… and Mediterranean inspiration, without which we might think we were in front of a barbecue! Far from it: under the guidance of Chef Francisco Barbosa, what we are given to taste is a cuisine that combines the gastronomic tradition of the Algarve with the fresh flavors of Mediterranean cuisine. In an open kitchen where the beautiful three-tiered grill stands out, all the dishes, in one way or another, have involved a step over the fire in their preparation. This is evident right from the couvert with a beautiful sourdough wheat bread, accompanied by smoked butter, baba ganoush with roasted bell pepper, and goat cheese with za'atar. The starters are characterized by the smoky aromas of cured fish, such as mackerel or sea bream, or by roast beef with caramelized onions, bottarga emulsion, and grilled vegetables combined with dairy products, aromatic herbs, and acidic notes.
For main courses, the suggestions range from vegetarian eggplant with tahini emulsion, seed granola and sumac, to the fish of the day, grilled with cabbage, white beans, butter and lemon sauce, to squid, beautifully grilled, with sautéed spinach and turnips, to Iberian pork shoulder with sausage rice and pickles, or the always eye-catching veal skewer with guanciale, harissa, chimichurri sauce accompanied by French fries. For die-hard meat lovers, there's the impressive tomahawk steak with signature sauce and the inevitable French fries. And there's also a fitting tribute to Guia, with Ciro's chicken, a boneless half with chili oil, watercress, coriander tzatziki, accompanied by yogurt bread.
Both the desserts and the bar menu adhere to the philosophy of fire and Mediterranean flavors, always featuring some ingredient that has been cooked in smoke or even over embers. The wine list is diverse and offers options that complement the gastronomic offerings, with the usual drawback of potentially increasing the final bill.
Whether you're enjoying a signature cocktail, some casual snacks, or a full meal, the spirit of sharing at the table is common to all these moments, making Ciro a special and very pleasant place within the Algarve's culinary landscape.
Tel.: 282320337
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, from 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM.
Closed: Monday and Tuesday
Average price: €50
