Now, if you – like me – are a fan of a) booking somewhat extravagant tasting menu experiences to mark special occasions and b) are game when it comes to choosing your next city break based on a Michelin-starred Chef whose food you would really like to try… then Porto - or more specifically – Mira Mira by Ricardo Costa is the next fine dining restaurant booking for you!
I had the absolute privilege of being granted a press invite to review Chef Ricardo Costa’s Harvest Menu at his newest fine-dining restaurant, Mira Mira - tucked inside of WOW Porto, on a recent trip that I wrote about, courtesy of Jet 2.
So what is it… this Harvest Menu? Think: culinary excellence + seasonal produce set in a fashion design experience, complete with breathtaking city views and you have just stumbled upon one of Porto’s newest jewels in fine dining, Mira Mira by Ricardo Costa.
Languishing stylishly upstairs at the World of Wine Porto, in Vila Nova de Gaia, Chef Ricardo Costa’s second signature restaurant, Mira Mira, offers diners dazzling views across the Douro River (be sure to ask for a table by the window and sit back and watch golden hour turn from dusk to darkness) – whilst savouring course after course of a carefully prepared seasonal menu that will make many a mouth water.
If you know me at all by now, you’ll get that I’m a hopeless romantic — and a real sucker for great mood lighting. Yep - real candles, a cunningly curated playlist that sets your pulse racing and an ambient relaxed atmosphere. Mira Mira’s deliberate design bathes diners in a warm pink glow (think: late September skies) —its simple yet sumptuous tables are luxuriously spaced for privacy and give this restaurant another uniquely decadent tick in the box. I will admit, when the waitress pointed out the small boucle clad stool positioned discretely to the left of my chair - whose sole purpose in this world was to hold my handbag – my heart swooned! Now THIS was a touch of luxury!
As winner of not one but two Michelin stars, Chef Ricardo Costa made a conscious decision to make his Mira Mira restaurant more relaxed than its sibling, The Yeatman, but even so… as dining experiences go… it is still incredibly refined and memorable. Everything from the way we were greeted felt warm, unrushed, and relaxed, yet sophisticated and special.
Iridescent Salvador ‘Dalí’ gin sour cocktail at Mira Mira by Ricardo Costa
For the last few years, since working out that I do not really enjoy celebrating my birthday very much… maybe it is the denial of getting older? Maybe it is the fuss I don’t like? Maybe it is the not liking to be centre of attention? Or is it the fear and social anxiety that no one would show up or enjoy themselves if I threw a big party…? Maybe it is a combination of all of these together that makes me veer more and more towards the treat that is the tasting menu experience. And if any of that resonated with you, then the Michelin Guide’s plethora of restaurants offering tasting menu experiences is DEFINITELY gonna be right up your street.
Ok, so back to Mira Mira…
My thoughts on the Harvest Menu is a tasting menu experience by Chef Ricardo Costa?
WOW! WOW! WOW! Each course that appeared before us, in the well-choreographed art of service (that only a Michelin-star worthy restaurant can pull off so effortlessly) had us both in awe of the planning, artistry and craftsmanship involved in sculpting each dish.
Imagine: you’re a chef. You know people love a chicken sandwich, and you want to make a course that pays homage to a classic chicken sandwich – one that is the very is the essence of a chicken sandwich, but… is condensed into the prettiest, most flavoursome version that a mere mortal has ever laid their eyes/lips/belly on. And that MAGIC, my friend, that IMAGINATION, is why people like Chef Ricardo Costa and his team win Michelin stars and we will continue to willingly say: “TAKE MY MONEY!” for the sheer awe-inspiring experience of getting to indulge it in, every once in a while. To step out of our mundane, everyday “this is what you THINK is a chicken sandwich but WAIT until you try THIS one” lives – just for one evening.