Find the greatest meat at U&Co

Located next to the main square of Vale do Lobo, U&Co is a well-decorated restaurant that brings a cosy atmosphere as soon as people arrive. I went there, and all I can say is that the experience did not disappoint me.

I was received by the manager, Tatiana, and Nuno was responsible for my table throughout the night. All I can say is that both of them were so nice, explaining to me and my guest all the details I needed to know about the menu, because it had so many great dishes, the choice was definitely going to be hard.

Amazing starters

As expected, the couvert arrived at the table first. We had bread to start with, and to accompany, we were brought olive oil with a bit of balsamic vinegar, olive oil paste and garlic butter.

Like a typical Portuguese person, I had to soak the bread in the olive oil to taste it. The moment I put the bread in my mouth, I instantly realised that this restaurant has some differentiated services and products. The olive oil was a foreshadowing of how great this meal would be. Things only got better when I tasted the garlic butter, and obviously the olive paste.

For a starter, I had a Roast Veal Carpaccio. It could be a risky choice, as I never tasted carpaccio before, but this one called my attention, as it is prepared with marinated mushrooms, pickles, mustard seed vinaigrette, herb mayo, baby gem lettuce and bread crisps. When the dish arrived, it was so colourful, and everybody knows that we eat with our eyes first.

Therefore, my eyes were definitely telling me that I had to taste it. And I did it. The veal meat with the mayo is such a great combination of flavours, which only got better when the freshness of the lettuce was tasted as well. The marinated mushrooms were also incredible, and the bread crips gave the dish different textures, promoting an amazing tasting experience. At that moment, I realised I was eating in a really great restaurant.

Straight from the grill

My guest and I were fancying to eat some meat, and the menu had a lot of different choices for that. Nuno helped us choose and let us know that a U&Co Meat Experience would be the greatest choice. According to the menu, this course combines three different types of steak: Fillet Steak, New York Strip and Ribeye. “Rare, please”, I said. I am very demanding when it comes to the steak point, and usually, restaurants do not accomplish my expectations, but that did not happen in U&Co. When the wooden chopping board arrived at the table with the three different steaks, I immediately realised that the steaks were perfectly cooked, to my taste.

The meat came with different sides: French fries, sautéed spinach, tender stem broccoli, crispy crushed new potatoes with basil and parmesan cheese, and tomato salad. Some sauces also arrived at the table, which were: chimichurri, green pepper and truffled mayonnaise – for the French fries.

Every steak was incredible and perfectly on point. Each of them was really tender and felt like melting in our mouths. I started with the fillet steak, and I did not regret it. The meat was not extremely salty, but there was the option of adding a pinch of salt to the steak, as it was made available on the chopping board. The New York Strip was so amazingly done, I could have one every day, but only if cooked like in U&Co. And then the crème de la crème was there to be tasted. The ribeye. What a lovely steak, so tender, and full of flavour and was the perfect way to finish the main course.

The sauces that came with the meat were actually a great choice, especially the green pepper one, my ultimate favourite. It went so well with every steak I had, I strongly advise anyone to give it a try. When it comes to the side dishes, all of them were a perfect choice, but I must highlight the crushed new potatoes, which came with basil and parmesan cheese. That was such a great combination.

Sweetening things up

It was time for dessert, and we asked for the selection to share. Nuno let us know the greatest desserts and we had Salted Caramel Cheese Cake, Banoffee Pie and Tiramisu. Each of them is marvellous.

I am a huge fan of salted caramel, but never tasted it in a cheesecake recipe, and I was not disappointed. The flavours were perfectly combined and the praline added on top was definitely a perfect choice. When it comes to the Banoffee Pie, all I can say is that I could eat it every day. It was so balanced, with the flavour of fresh bananas standing out between the caramel and the whipped cream. However, tiramisu was my actual favourite; this dessert was actually so well made that it makes you want it more and more.

Get a table

U&Co is one of those restaurants where people will want to come back and I will definitely come back anytime soon.

The menus are available on their website at uandco.pt and their social media accounts can be found on Facebook and Instagram @uandcovaledolobo.

It is also possible to contact U&Co by phone at 289 353 440 or by email at info@uandco.pt

Currently, the Deputy Editor at The Portugal News, Bruno G. Santos, is really interested in national politics. With a degree in Journalism and Communication, he also loves to write about different topics like Portuguese culture, society and other current affairs. Press card: 8463. 

Bruno G. Santos