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Located on Dundas, just west of Dovercourt, Quinta has been serving up Portuguese fare since it opened up last summer.

Quinta

The restaurant is easily missed as there isn’t very much signage on the outside. The décor is quite minimal inside too like many of the restaurants popping up around the city. But unlike all the other new restaurants, they’ve got a spacious dining room. It seats 60 people and it’s not at all cramped.

The interior

Quinta’s menu is on the small side but they’ve got quite a few daily features so make sure you check their chalkboard before ordering. I won’t be able to comment on the authenticity of the food since my Portuguese experiences don’t extend beyond Portuguese custard tarts…but I’ll definitely be able to comment on their taste factor! So, here goes…

My setting

Our first appetizer was the Octopus Salad – braised octopus, mini red potatoes, smoked paprika vinaigrette and yellow beans ($14). The pieces of octopus were well cooked and I loved the combination of it with the chunks of potatoes and crunchy yellow beans. The smoked paprika vinaigrette complimented the octopus well and made for a great way to start off the meal.

The Octopus Salad

Our other appetizer was the Duck Confit Wings – piri piri and served with pickles ($12) which came with two drums and two flats. The meat was really tender, falling right off the bone. The flats weren’t very meaty but they were extra crispy which I liked. They were generous with the delicious sauce, resulting in a really messy dish. Not first date food!

Duck Confit Wings

For my main, I went with the Pork & Clams – crispy pork belly, little neck clams, veggies, cooked in a seafood broth ($20). It arrived in a clay dish with five large clams and five thick pieces of crisp pork belly which gave the dish all the salt it required. All the components sat in a light seafood broth which I enjoyed. The only part of the dish I didn’t care for were the bits of diced veggies which didn’t add much to it all.

Pork & Clams

Mike ordered the Seafood Cataplana – selection of seafood gently cooked in a white wine tomato broth (market price). The price of this dish varies depending on the selection of seafood for the day – ours cost $25. We were both surprised at how generous they were with the seafood. Everything was so plentiful! Lots of shrimp, clams, baby octopus and fish which were all perfectly cooked.

Included in the dish were fennel, mushrooms and garlic which gave the tomato broth a lovely flavour. Every bit of the broth was soaked up with the accompanying bread.

The Seafood Cataplana

Amongst the dessert choices are a ginger molasses cheesecake, poached pear in a custard tart and a cheese plate. We went with a more conservative choice, the Flourless Chocolate Mousse Cake ($8). It was sweet, rich and smooth. I recommend having it with an Americano.

An Americano & Dessert

Overall, I enjoyed my experience at Quinta. While I enjoyed the food, what made it an even better experience was the service. The owner was out and about in the dining room, conversing with all the customers. His passion really comes through when you’re talking to him…You can’t help but like him!

At a glance:
• Serving up Portuguese cuisine
• Small menu but they have quite a few daily features
• Brunch is served on the weekends
• Closed on Mondays/Tuesdays
• Located on Dundas, just west of Dovercourt
• Great service, very personable owner

Ratings (out of 5):
• Food: 4 stars
• Service: 4.5 stars
• Atmosphere: 4 stars

Quinta Restaurant on Urbanspoon



  1. Ken (Reply) on Saturday 23, 2013

    Pwahaha re: Portugese custard tarts — the legit kind, or the chinese kind? 🙂
    I’m limited to custard tarts and churascurria chicken (Churrasco’s, Nando’s), not much better. Oh wait, I guess Salted Cod Fritters are Portugese too. Mmm.

    • Jess (Reply) on Saturday 23, 2013

      I’m ashamed to say I have never tried Portuguese chicken. I’ve heard great things though so it’s definitely on the list!

  2. Dara @How_To_Eat (Reply) on Saturday 23, 2013

    I loved quinta when i was there and absolutely agree about the service. The owners were so welcoming and you felt like you were dining in someones home! I ordered completely different dishes than you…so I guess I just have to go back to try everything you had becuase it looks deliciuos too!