Despite its name, Spain is not the only influence on the cuisine of Chateau of Spain. This restaurant also serves a wide variety of Portuguese dishes.

In Portugal, food is served quite differently then here in the United States. Most Portuguese do not eat a big breakfast, and are satisfied with a simple cup of coffee. Businesses and employers allow ample time for lunch, which typically lasts over an hour. Since the Portuguese usually eat a late dinner around 8 o’clock at night, they indulge themselves during lunch time at their favorite local restaurants.

You can enjoy a fulfilling Portuguese lunch as well when you visit the Chateau of Spain. They offer a satisfying and delectable dish, the Portuguese sirloin steak. This entree consists of a 20 ounce sirloin steak char-broiled to your liking. Portuguese sirloin steak is also served with ham and eggs in delicious gravy, with Spanish fries, rice and vegetables on the side. You can either eat-in at the beautiful Chateau of Spain restaurant or order your lunch to go. You can even enjoy this meal at the restaurant’s bar any time of day, over a nice glass of Portuguese wine.

Bordered in the west and south by the Atlantic Ocean, Portuguese cuisine is greatly influenced by the many types of fish and shellfish available. Portugal is also very close to the Mediterranean Sea, combining the various types of seafood from both water sources. Actually, Portugal has the highest fish consumption of any other European nation. Fish is served in every style possible, from grilled and poached to roasted. The principle fish in Portuguese cuisine is cod, which can be prepared in over 300 different ways!

Chateau of Spain pays homage to these seafaring people with their entree Portuguese golden fillet. This dish features fried fillet of sole served with fresh shrimp and scallops. With boiled potatoes, rice, and vegetables on the side, this dish is perfect for a lunch or dinner.

During its colonial years, Portugal’s influence spread all over the globe, especially in South America. Even after the end of its political power, the cultural influence of Portugal continues to this day in many of its former colonies. One country in particular still relies heavily upon their Portuguese heritage-Brazil. This large and diverse country is the only country in South America with Portuguese as their official language. The exchange of culture between Europe and the New World also lead to a delicious array of cuisine.

Chateau of Spain offers one entree in particular that illustrates this combination of South American and European culture. Picadinho, which means minced pork, is an interesting dish featuring pork cubes marinated in wine and garlic. The cook then sautes the pork and serves it over French potatoes. This savory meal combines Portuguese cuisine with Brazilian spices to create a delicious meal for any patron.

So during your next visit to Chateau of Spain, break away from your regular Spanish dish and try something new from their Portuguese selections. These two countries share much more than a border-they also share some great cuisine.

Author Bio: Bill Oliveira is the owner of Chateau of Spain Restaurant located in Newark, NJ. The restaurant is conveniently located close to the Prudential Center. This establishment offers a wide variety of food for dine-in, catering, and more. http://www.chateauofspain.com.

Category: Food and Drinks
Keywords: dining,portuguese food,restaurant,new jersey restaurant,spanish food