Braganca 11 June
Peso de Regua to Braganca 110 miles
Leaving Peso da Régua, I headed east along the river on the N222. This road is a rider's dream, hugging the river for about 15 miles and offering stunning views over the Douro. One notable highlight along this route is passing DOC, a fantastic restaurant with lovely views over the Douro River. We discovered this gem a few years ago and enjoyed a leisurely lunch there.
Continuing on the N222, I reached Pinhão, a small fishing village with white-washed walls that had a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. I took a break to hydrate and was pleasantly surprised by the warm reception from the locals. They seemed delighted to see a solo rider and his motorbike passing through their village.
After crossing the bridge out of Pinhão, the road changed to the N323. Here, I decided to take a twisty detour that led upwards, offering tremendous views of the surrounding landscape. Unfortunately, I missed capturing the perfect photo opportunity as I had just overtaken a slow-moving vehicle, a manoeuvre that took about 15 minutes and I wasn’t keen on repeating.
As I continued towards Vilar de Maçada, the road forked, and my sat nav suggested taking the right path. It didn’t look much like a road at all, and I hesitated for a moment, recalling a similar experience a few days earlier that led me into the backyard of a farm! Nevertheless, I decided to trust my instincts and carry on, and it turned out to be an adventurous yet scenic route.
Running low on fuel, I headed to the small town of Mirandela. With only 20 miles of fuel left, it was a relief to finally fill up. From there, I took the N15 out of town and then joined the A4, which led me to my overnight stop at the Hotel Pousada de Bragança. Dinner that night was at G Pousada, a restaurant within the hotel.
The restaurant is owned by Oscar and his brother Antonio Geadas. Antonio, a fellow BMW motorcyclist, and I first met when a small group of us dined at the restaurant some years ago. He still owns his BMW GT but also has a classic Fiat 126, which he co-owns with his brother.
Dining at G Pousada is a formal affair, and the atmosphere perfectly complements the sophisticated culinary experience. The decor is architectural designed from the 1970’s, creating a warm and inviting environment that enhances the dining experience.
The menu is extensive, offering a variety of choices for meat lovers, fish enthusiasts, and vegetarians alike. I opted for the 5 course Menu Armando Alves, which provided a delightful journey through the chef's culinary artistry.
Leek and Poultry Egg: A delicate and flavourful start to the meal, setting the tone for the courses to follow.
Codfish, Grape, and Almond: A beautifully balanced dish, where the sweetness of the grapes and the nuttiness of the almonds complemented the perfectly cooked codfish.
Scarlet Prawn, Bisaro Pork Shoulder, and Cauliflower: An inventive combination that showcased the chef's creativity and skill, with each element working together.
Beef, Broccoli, and Montalegre Region Potato: The beef was cooked to perfection, accompanied by tender broccoli and the distinctive Montalegre potatoes, creating a hearty and satisfying main course.
Red Berries from the 'Terra Quente Transmontana' Region: A refreshing and delightful end to the meal, featuring the natural sweetness and vibrant flavours of the local berries.
Rather than opting for the paired wine selection, I chose a small glass of white wine with the first three courses and a red wine for the meat dish. This approach was more than sufficient for a meal of this size and allowed me to savour the flavours of each dish without overwhelming my palate.
A special mention to the chef and his team for their brilliant work in crafting such a delightful and imaginary menu.