Grudar 27th June marks the first of a new concept that the PortoBay group is presenting in the old town of Funchal. This is RestArt, a new pop-up restaurant that will operate exclusively on Fridays and Saturdays, for dinner, until the end of September.
The space is located next to the PortoBay Santa Maria hotel and offers an informal and creative atmosphere that combines gastronomy, art and music.
RestArt offers tapas and pinchos to share, accompanied by cocktails, in an open-air space hosted by DJ Coromoto. The restaurant occupies an area of the hotel that was adapted with furniture repurposed from other units of the group, reflecting, according to a press release, “the PortoBay group’s commitment to the circular economy and sustainability”.
At the helm of the kitchen is the experienced chef António Nascimento, with over two decades with PortoBay hotels, having been one of the leading figures at Il Gallo D’Oro, a restaurant that won two Michelin stars and a green star.
Now as executive chef at PortoBay Santa Maria, he is embracing the challenge of a summer restaurant. The chef believes that “cuisine is about taste, but above all it is about consistency and passion”.
The artistic component of the project includes the participation of two Madeiran artists. José Carlos Silva, a self-taught artist, has developed an artistic practice marked by experimentation with reused materials for over two decades. Rodrigo Costa, a Madeiran visual artist trained in the United Kingdom, works with painting, sculpture and installation, exploring themes of childhood and social transformation. The works of both will be on display and available for sale at the restaurant, with the proceeds going to HOPE, a social responsibility project promoted by the PortoBay group.
According to the press release, “RestArt is part of the PortoBay group’s philosophy of promoting unique experiences that value sustainability and creativity, providing unique moments in Funchal’s Old Town”.
