Manifesto

Description:

• Located in Santos, Lisbon's self-styled "Design District", Manifesto represents the maverick breed of restaurateur, someone who is prepared to experiment with food, dares to be different and who has the skill and tenacity to pull the whole thing off. Enter Luís Baena, a Portuguese chef who has worked with the likes of Paul Bocuse and whose restaurant has practically torn up the rulebook. A graphic-art interior of vivid hot metal typeset, stark directives and a wallpaper of abstract portraiture framed in multi-coloured cubes… the décor is loud, brash but carefully choreographed. But it's the gastronomy that makes the most noise: oyster risotto in a light Parmesan foam; crispy langoustine fritter with mint pesto; beef carpaccio garnished with chives, cheese and garlic – this is seriously inventive, idiosyncratic and mischievous cuisine. And when you take your seat, note the tablemats. They're old vinyl LPs. Baena's a music lover too.
  
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