Restaurant Review: Portuguese Market and Cafe in Point Loma

Restaurant Review

By Judi Curry

Portuguese Market and Cafe

2818 Avenida de Portugal
San Diego, CA 92106
Facebook @ Portuguese Cafe
619-704-0506 (Market)

I received a call from one of my favorite people a few days ago, telling me about a place that she went to for breakfast/lunch that was so good that I needed to try it. She said she enjoyed it so much she wanted to go back.  Of course I agreed; it is so much fun going to try a new restaurant with someone that has been there before and watches every bite I take to see if I agree with her assessment or not.  Well, Barbara, I agree.  The meal was delightful.

The restaurant is on the backside of the Portuguese Hall.  I have been to many “fiestas” held there and had no idea that there was also a restaurant.  I found out that it has only been opened since July, 2014, and it is obvious that the word has not spread in the area yet.  Barbara and I were the only ones dining in the room, and there were four take-outs in the hour that we were there.

They serve only breakfast and lunch; all the bread is made and baked there; and all of the food is made by one chef.  There may be helpers, but I only saw three people working while we were there: the chef, the waitress and a woman manning the store.

The breakfasts all come with country potatoes – which were delicious – bread and coffee. (I am not sure about the bread because we were immediately served two rolls and flavored oil when we sat down. That was the only bread served and I do not know if there was an additional bread to be served with the breakfast or not.) The rolls were tasty; a little heavy; and if they had been warmed up they would have been perfect.

They offer a Veggie Omelet, made with finely diced zucchini, green onion, parsley, tomato, broccoli and cheese.  There is also a Linguica Omelet made with linguica, onions and parsley; Linguica and Eggs; Vegetable or Meat Quiches and/or French Toast.  All breakfasts are $7.95.

They have 4 salads listed; the regular green salad is $6.50; the other three – Caprese, Spinach, and Caesar are $7.50.   Additionally they have “Plates” of Bife A Portuguesa – think sliced marinated beef topped with fried egg and side of fries for $11.99.  On Thursday and Friday they have specials – Thursday is Polva Azorean Style – Octopus Stew – and Friday special is Bacalahu a Gomes de Sa (Codfish Casserole). Both are $11.99.  There is also a soup special of the day that comes with a bread roll for $4.25.

They offer ten sandwiches, from a Grilled Veggie Sandwich to Tuna Sandwich.  They start at $7.95 and range up to $8.75.  Each comes with soup or salad that are make daily.

On the menu is listed “Desserts” but the chef decides each day what she will make.  It lists the desserts at $4 but we had Carrot Cake and were charged $2.

They also offer Beer, Wine, Soda, Tea and Coffee.

Since Barbara had been there before she decided to try a sandwich this time around. She had a tuna sandwich – $8.15 that came with a vegetable bean soup.  She said the soup was delicious; all of the veggies were fresh.  The tuna, made with onions, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers and mayo was served on huge pieces of fresh bread.  She took home half of the sandwich.  She said the sandwich was delightful.

I could not decide between the Caprese Sandwich – $7.95 which consisted of spinach, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, avocado and pesta sauce – and for $1 more I could also have smoked salmon added to the sandwich, or the Veggie Omelet.  I decided to go with the omelet and I am glad that I did.  It was delicious.  The veggies were diced very thin and it was pleasing to my palate.  I would order it again – after I tried other items on the menu.

We decided to share one dessert and we had our choice of 5 different ones:  Carrot Cake; rice pudding; bread pudding with a champagne sauce; chocolate chip cookie, or fresh fruit tart.  We elected to go with the Carrot Cake.  It was good; the cream cheese topping was better than the cake itself, which was not very moist.  It was good, but neither of us would order it again.

The service was good; the waitress pleasant.  She reminded us to tell our friends, and that is what I am doing now.  I don’t think you’ll go wrong and it would be nice to have another neighborhood restaurant that doesn’t gouge your pocket book. And you don’t have to be Portuguese to eat there!   Let me know what you think.