The secret raw food club
In downtown Faro, hidden behind what initially appears to be a wine fridge stocked with Champagne, a new little restaurant serves a tasting menu showcasing the Algarve’s freshest seafood in its most natural state: raw.
The new concept is yet another project by dynamic foodie duo Jorge Santos and Pedro Rodrigo, who also opened Epicur and Zebra in their native city. After years abroad, the pair returned to open several new eateries.
The latest is this unexpected restaurant, which they opened just a year ago as a speakeasy, “which is fundamental to the customer experience”, says the pair.
Almost exclusively dedicated to the region’s bountiful coast, COM Raw Food Club offers a unique culinary experience designed to entice all the senses.
A well-kept secret, it is accessed through the fake fridge in their wine-focused restaurant, Epicur.
Behind the door, the small, low-lit room with a large U-shaped counter for 12 features quirky decoration mixing neon lights with burlesque curtains and a large elephant dangling from the ceiling.
With chef Jorge Santos behind the counter and a projection on the wall, Sarah, the Artificial Intelligence host, sets the scene for a singular culinary show.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to COM. Get ready to discover a gastronomic experience like no other. If you are a true food lover, you can’t miss the opportunity to taste incredible dishes prepared with the best ingredients and techniques,” says Sarah, who accompanies guests throughout the meal, explaining dishes and making wine pairing recommendations.
In front of guests and under chef Jorge Santos’ guidance, dishes are carefully prepared to preserve the raw ingredients’ nutritional integrity and natural flavours, resulting in delicious artistic creations.
The tasting menu, which changes entirely on the first day of every month, is inspired by several iconic international dishes the chef discovered during years abroad, such as tartare, ceviches and carpaccios.
Without ever losing focus on the raw ingredient theme, the 8-course menu (€70 per person without wine pairing) always features the best local and seasonal ingredients, such as prawns from the coast, sea bream, sea bass, oysters, and other classics.
Although the menu is kept a secret until guests sit at the counter, the pair have revealed a couple of their dishes on social media, including greater amberjack with aji and passion fruit tiger milk, Salicornia olive oil and Sriracha mayo, and purple shrimp, for which they give very specific instructions: “And the order is this – eat the tartar with black truffle and ponzu in three bites, lick your fingers, grab the head, suck what’s inside, lick your fingers. Simple!”
Now, whatever you do, do not be late. Dinner starts at 8.30pm sharp.
“The good news is there is no time for it to end. It can last until two in the morning without a problem,” teases Jorge. However, it must be booked 24 hours in advance along with a €50 deposit, which is deducted from the bill at the end of the meal.
Dining at the COM Raw Food Club is an opportunity to embark on a healthy and inspiring gastronomic journey, where food is more than a meal; it is a celebration of culinary creativity.
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