Casa do Frango Piccadilly

Dining Under the Stars

Casa do Frango Piccadilly, located just one street away from the famous Regent Street in London, promises a captivating dining experience with its picturesque outdoor seating and a warm, inviting atmosphere.

While the restaurant exudes a certain charm, my recent visit left me craving a bit more culinary homage.

Ambiance:
The most standout feature of Casa do Frango Piccadilly is its large, lovely outdoor seating area on Heddon Street. The restaurant provides a serene and romantic setting with dimly lit lanterns and charmingly colored buildings.

Drinks:
A great cocktail selection that allows you to savor the spirit of Southern Portugal. Port & Tonic was refreshing, boasting flavors of mint and orange.

Their wine range, priced from £6 to £10 per glass, might particularly appeal only to budget-conscious customers though.

Price: ££
The prices are quite reasonable. Even though the service was just fine, in terms of the quality of drinks and the portion aspects, it will meet your expectations, justifying the expense.

What I Ordered:

Bacalhau Fritters

Made from salt cod, this dish had me at ‘perfectly crispy.’ The delicate balance between the seasoned cod and the light, crunchy coating was a culinary triumph.

It’s a shame that I didn’t detect the presence of roasted potatoes and caramelized onions in the dish. On the flip side, the lemon aioli provided a zesty and creamy contrast to the crispy fritters, and that was quite delightful.

Charred Cauliflower

I’m usually wowed by how the grilled Cauliflower dish is presented. However, at Casa Do Frango, it was coated in a somewhat gloomy pistachio hue.

The cauliflower itself was marinated wonderfully, carrying hints of sweet honey and zesty lemon. The texture was tender and melt-in-your-mouth.

What I found missing was, however, that smoky depth I usually savor, and then the flavors from the lime and coriander yogurt sauce. Even the piri-piri spice was a bit too gentle for my taste. Looks like the cauliflower had its own plans for the evening.

Iberico Pork Croquettes

The croquettes were crispy enough to make a potato chip jealous!

But here’s the plot twist: if I were to close my eyes and taste-test Casa do Frango against Iberica, I’d be in trouble. Yet, there’s no forgetting those croquettes from Bar Kroketa – they left an impression that’s harder to shake than a catchy tune!

Piri-Piri Chicken

Their signature dish. Inspired by a summer’s evening, sharing Frango (Chicken) Piri-Piri with family and friends in the Algarve – I found myself in the same delightful situation in Soho!

And you know what, they source their Piri-Piri from Romeu’s farm in Albufeira, Portugal, which boasts more than 180 different types of chiles.

I must admit though, it didn’t quite transport me to the land of bold and spicy flavors. Where was the smoky char? Where was that elusive ‘secret’ piri-piri blend? It seems like it might have aged gracefully, perhaps a tad too gracefully.

The chicken itself was tender and juicy, but it seemed to deny me the full experience of Piri Piri’s spicy embrace. I can’t help but imagine Mr. Romeu must have quite the spice collection this summer with the heatwave.

Casa Slaw

Offering a palate-cleansing and rejuvenating option for me as a lighter complement to their main course.

Pastel De Nata

Stands as a delectable testament to Portugal’s sweet culinary traditions, this petit dessert provides a delightful way to conclude your meal. They have poured their passion into this dessert, baking it fresh on-site every day.

Conclusion:

Casa do Frango Piccadilly invites diners to immerse themselves in a romantic slice of Portuguese charm within the heart of London.

The enchanting outdoor seating and cozy ambiance set the stage for an enjoyable evening. It’s a perfect spot for a big group outside dinner party, and you’ll forget that you’re in bustling London. Now, it’s time for you to see if they stay true to their Algarvian roots.

Although I’m a bit disheartened by their expansion strategy – they seem to prioritize authenticity but may be losing it by opening many city-center locations (London Bridge, Shoreditch, and then Victoria) and offering delivery, including wines.

If you’re in the mood for straightforward Mediterranean fare, I recommend heading next door to Sabor.

Tips from Hanako:

• Check their speak easy bar down stairs, The Green Room. Available for private events and parties throughout the week. 
• Order Grilled Cabbage instead of Cauliflower

Menu Using an age-old recipe: https://casadofrango.co.uk/casa-do-frango-menus/