Quionga

• Arroios (Linha Verde)
• €
• R. Heróis de Quionga 69, 1170-191

As has been mentioned plenty of times before, one of the joys of this silly little time filler is that local Portuguese tascarias are an endless supply of content, and a most affordable meal out. As a result we set a high bar for those we do commit to a review (believe us, there are plenty of meals which we don't waste time reliving). Anyway - this bar to jump over? Uniqueness. What did we get from this tasca that made it that little bit more special?

Into Quionga we went one evening. Wikipedia tells me the street name Heróis de Quionga celebrates a victory by the Portuguese over the Germans in the titular Northern Mozambique town in the First World War. Why is this imporant? Because the unique feature for Quionga, was the outstanding chilli sauce provided.

For a country which had outposts across South America, Africa and Asia, chilli is conspicuous by its absence in Portuguese food. Much to its detriment. Yet at Quinoga all your spicy needs will be met in their powerful homemade concoction which even holds a noticeable and enjoyable fresh burst of cor-de-laranja , orange to the English.

As with all tascas, the food is simple, but done well. When the peri peri is on point like this, one plate of chicken and chips, and another with the classic bitoque, supplied an ample feast of all the comforting flavours. Unperturbed by the ample plates of meats and potatoes, we shared a rice pudding just to cool that heavenly spice.

Burying the lede

Many of the trendier travel guides will send people to the fine array of restaurants on or around Arroios market, but they do fill up as a result. But never fear, come explore the spice route on the next road across.

Drinks: A bottle of red wine and a couple of coffees

Don’t forget to order: Peri Peri powered chicken and chips