Restaurant review: Ilhas de Bruma a Portuguese delight

Annabelle Goodman—

A visit to Portugal is at the top of my list for travel. I adore Portuguese food and everyone raves about the beauty of the country. The next best thing is to go to a restaurant serving Portuguese food. This is my favorite. My son and daughter-in-law have travelled widely. They love everything about Portugal.  I wanted to share my many positive experiences of dining here. The special menu of the day is in Portuguese. I love that most of the clients seem to be Portuguese. I have been fortunate to have Helder Brute as a server on several occasions. He is so helpful and charming. He loves to answer our questions about the menu or even the country. He is very knowledgeable about the menu. We listened to his wine choices and his food suggestions. All was superb.

Ilhas de Bruma                1136 College St             416 538 2015

I knew from past experience that an appetizer would be delicious but too much food with an entrée. These are healthy portions. The Portuguese Bread is always my favourite. It is dense and flavourful. The Black Olives are house cured and the dip was also enjoyed. The Caldo Verde is a typical Portuguese soup. It is full of wonderful greens and very tasty. The Garlic Shrimp are an outstanding appetizer. Clams Bulhao Peto is a popular choice as well.

Ilhas-de-bruma-FI

Ilhas de Bruma 1136 College St. 416 538 2015

My son ordered the Cataplana. This is a work of art. A large copper bowl is presented to the table filled to the brim with seafood of all varieties placed on top of a fragrant tomato, onion garlic sauce. A side of rice was enjoyed. Even my son could not finish it all but was excited that there would be some of that tasty seafood for lunch the next day. Meat lovers as well as fish diners have so many options. Filet with Three Grilled Shrimp on top was my daughter-in-laws choice. It was placed on a bed of vegetables. She also enjoyed a very large bowl of hand cut fries. It was all a picturesque tasty choice. Strip Loin Garlic Malaguete and Grilled Lamb Chops are beautifully presented and will satisfy any large appetite.

I have always enjoyed the Grilled Tuna. Unfortunately because of weather conditions in Portugal my favorite fish was not available. I will be back again for some delicious tuna. The chef masterly prepares it like no other restaurant. On this occasion I settled for Grilled Salmon. A very large portion of well seasoned salmon was served on a bed of greens and boiled potatoes. I wasn’t about to leave anything behind. It was moist, flavourful and perfectly cooked.

A special menu offers daily specials. There are many seafood selections. A Baked Grouper with mushroom risotto was available as well as many other choices. Choose from filets or whole fish. This chef knows how to perfectly prepare seafood. Every Friday and Saturday evening a Seafood Buffet is offered. It is beautifully set up with enormous clay pots based on heaters to keep the food warm.

We couldn’t resist a Dessert even though we were over-the-top stuffed. A Chocolate Mousse was creamy and delicious. It was served in a large wine glass. All three of us dug in and found it a delightful conclusion to our wonderful food. Rice Pudding and Caramel Flan were other choices.

The service is superb. The food is very fairly priced and affordable. I think it is a wonderful spot to entertain because it takes you to another country to explore authentic tasty food. We were lucky to get the table by the fireplace. The food was outstanding.  Parking is free on the street after 6:30. Ilha de Bruma has it all. It is second best to visiting this colourful island in Portugal.