With its brick facade, tinted windows, and dark green awning, Portugalia looks very nondescript from the street. But once inside, this family-style restaurant, decorated with traditional Iberian cookware, clothing and pottery, serves the best Portuguese food in Cambridge. You know the cuisine is authentic when the bar is filled with Portuguese locals. The meal starts off with warm bread, oil and an irresistible bowl of zesty olives. Delightful appetizers include the steamed clams in olive oil & white wine; and the grilled shrimp in tomato-beer sauce. Portugalia is famous for its salt cod, and the Bacalhau a Gomes De Sa - shredded salt cod, onions & potatoes - is magnificent. Other delicious entrees include the Camarao Africana, grilled shrimp in spicy Creole sauce; and the Paella, a smorgasbord of scallops, squid, mussels, clams, shrimp, chicken and sausage, simmered in saffron flavored rice. The side dishes are also wonderful, including their addictive Portuguese fried potatoes and pitch-perfect collard greens sauteed in oil and garlic. If you want terrific Iberian food in a friendly traditional environment, Portugalia is the place for you.
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