DOC Review – Fine Dining in the Douro Valley of Portugal

Dining options in the Douro Valley are limited if you're not staying in one of the town centers, but DOC is one of the saving graces of the area. Set along the Douro River about midway between the towns of Peso da Regua and Pinhao, DOC offers tasting menus and a la carte options from Michelin-starred Chef Rui Paula.

While it took us a bit of a drive to reach this one (nearly 45 minutes from our quinta, in the pitch-black night), it was worth it to have such a lovely dining experience in the wine region.

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The Yeatman Review – A Simply Flawless Prix Fixe Dinner in Porto

The Yeatman, a two-star Michelin restaurant in Vila Nova de Gaia in Portugal, provides a once-in-a-lifetime gastronomic experience. From the elegant pre-dinner drinks and snacks in the bar area to the over-the-top plating and molecular gastronomy techniques, to the “kitchen snack,” the surprises and delights during our meal at The Yeatman were unlike any other restaurant we've ever been to.

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Belcanto Review – A Perfect Dining Experience in Lisbon

Portugal is a culinary wonderland, so we knew we had to try and hit at least a few Michelin-starred restaurants on our recent trip.

Our first stop was in Lisbon at Belcanto – a two-star Michelin restaurant that is also one of The World's 50 Best Restaurants. Given these accolades, we had high expectations going into the meal, but Belcanto managed to even exceed those. From the impeccable service, intriguing wine pairings, and perfect mix of traditional and inventive flavors, we were simply in heaven.

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Salt & Steel Review – A Delightful Meal in Bar Harbor

Salt & Steel in Bar Harbor, Maine, is a modern fine dining restaurant that utilizes local and seasonal ingredients to serve up delicious and creative plates.

Walking down Main St. in Bar Harbor on our first night in town, the spot immediately stood out to us as it looked new and was located inside an old house- from the outside it was absolutely adorable. After looking up the menu we decided to give it a try on our next night in town.

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