Mesa Moreira: Savor the flavors of Portugal at downtown York's newest eatery
Before moving to his wife Christie's hometown of York in 2021, Steven Moreira grew up in the Ironbound section of Newark, New Jersey, home to a collection of restaurants and bakeries that pay homage to the local immigrant culture.
His parents, along with waves of Portuguese immigrants joined the Ironbound population in the 1960s.
“Back then, everyone was tight knit. Depending on where you went, you had the Greek (cultural) club, where guys would sit outside and play cards, the Italian clubs and then you had the Portuguese clubs and cafes,” Moreira said.
With a restaurant on nearly every corner of the street, it was not hard to find traditional barbecue meat, picadinho and seafood – the star of Portuguese cuisine.
These dishes are the focal point of the menu at Mesa Moreira, Portuguese for Moreira’s Table, coming to West Market Street in York, former site of Old Forge, at the end of the month.
Come hungry, leave full − feeling like family
Food and family play a huge role in the life of the Moreira family. The power of a shared meal and conversations while gathered around a table creates special memories for the family of six.
And with their restaurant, they hope to extend this same feeling to their customers.
"I want people to feel like they're home and that they're family," Moreira said.
When the pair began working towards opening a restaurant in January of this year, they first thought of a takeout-only concept, serving Portuguese-style barbecue.
After more consideration and through connecting with local business owners Ben Chiaro and David Albright, the Moreira family decided a full-service restaurant could truly capture the Portuguese cuisine experience.
"I know what the Portuguese restaurants were like in New Jersey − they make you feel like you're on a beach vacation − just like in Portugal. We wanted to capture that feeling," Christie said.
"In Portugal, the dining experience is long and relaxed. We want people to come in, spend time and enjoy themselves," Moreira said.
A taste of Mesa Moreira
Portuguese cuisine is known for its fresh ingredients and rich flavors incorporated through a variety of meats, seafood and vegetables.
Traditional barbecue chicken, cooked on a horizontal rotisserie grill, will be one of the mainstays on the menu at Mesa Moreira.
Also on the menu will be their signature picadinho de porco marinated pork: small cubes of pork sauteed in a flavorful sauce.
Portuguese-style garlic shrimp and other seafood dishes will be included on the menu in addition to side options such as cilantro black beans, rice, fried potatoes and more.
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But dinner in Portugal would not be complete without coffee and a sweet treat.
At Mesa Moreira, enjoy an evening espresso with a choice of dessert including flan, rice pudding, cheesecake and serradura, a rich and creamy layered pudding also known as sawdust pudding.
"People work hard and when they go out to dinner, they want to enjoy their meal. I want people to walk out of here and say this one of the best meals they've had," Moreira said.
While their liquor license is still pending, Moreira plans to offer alcoholic beverages. The restaurant will showcase Pennsylvania beer and, in the future, Portuguese-style sangria, among other beverages.
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Mesa Moreira will be open at the end of July at 58 W Market St., York. For more information on the restaurant and menu, visit their Facebook page.
Lena Tzivekis is a reporter at the York Daily Record, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Contact her at etzivekis@ydr.com
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Mesa Moreira Portuguese cuisine coming to downtown York Pa. in July
