From 2018 to 2020, my family and I had the experience of a lifetime, living and teaching near the idyllic, oceanside town of Cascais, a few miles outside of Lisbon. So many aspects of life in Portugal absolutely captivated us, from the lost-in-time villages dotting stunning coastlines to the genuine warmth of total strangers. You never need to walk for more than five minutes in any direction to fi
nd at least one cozy neighborhood spot with friends leisurely chatting over glasses of wine, colleagues popping in for a quick espresso at the bar, and of course those expansive, polished glass cases full of endless pastry varieties to satisfy every craving. For two years we rarely went more than a few hours without escaping into a cafe, and in time we came to develop a boundless appreciation for the satisfying pantheon of simple, fresh and delicious Portugues delicacies. From the ubiquitous custard-filled pastel de nata to the most obscure regional specialties, the thrill of discovering yet another new combination of flavors and textures never grew old. When the time came for us to return home, we knew that there was one thing we absolutely had to bring with us: that feeling of stopping time over a coffee and a pastry in our neighborhood cafe. With that in mind, it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to Cadinho, our own personal slice of Portugal transplanted in Chicago. "Cadinho" is a word that you won't find in any dictionary, but which has infinite uses and is constantly heard throughout the country. Basically, it means a little bit of anything- a little sip, a little bite, a little moment of your time. I hope that I can help you to enjoy a little escape to Portugal, a little bit of the feeling of those cafes that we have brought home to Chicago with us in our hearts.
