The home of shawarma and Portuguese food
November, last year, saw the opening of Senhor-Calistos and Mi-Vami, a two-in-one eatery, in the Farrarmere Shopping Centre, at the intersection of Bailey Street and Sheridan Road, which has a variety of food from which to choose.
The Mi-Vami section of the restaurant specialises in shawarmas, while Senhor-Calistos deals mostly in Portuguese chicken.
My colleague and I visited the take-away on April 17, and experienced the authentic Portuguese way of grilling a chicken.
While waiting for our chicken meals we both had chicken livers and gizzards as starters, served separately.
The mild chicken gizzards were spicy and the smell was out of this world.
After tasting, my colleague concluded that they were the best she has ever had.
The chicken livers were tasty and delicious too.
For our main meal, my colleague settled for the lemon and herb quarter chicken and chips.
Manager Vincent Feldman assured us that his chicken is not pre-cooked before grilling and that the grilling does not last anything less than 40 minutes.
“Anything less means it is still raw,” he said.
The chicken had lot of flavour and displayed great-looking grill marks, my colleague remarked.
I had mild chicken strips and spicy rice, and they were the best ever.
Feldman said they treat food as a personal thing and added that everything is freshly prepared.
We also had the opportunity to taste Milho-Frito, Portuguese for fried pap.
I must say the Portuguese have taken pap to another level; it was crunchy and has an unbelievable flavour and taste and is perfect, even served on its own.
Milho Frito is one of the most signature and traditional dishes in Madeiran cuisine.
The deep fried cornmeal-based treats are filled with kale and other typical seasonings.
I must add that the people at the eateries are very friendly.
The take-away restaurant also delivers to your doors and I recommend you try Senhor Calistos and Mi-Vami.
The eatery is open seven days a week; Sundays to Thursdays from 10.30am to 8.30pm; Fridays from 10.30am to 9.30pm, and Saturdays from 9.30am to 9pm.
* Another colleague, who had previously sampled the shawarmas and falafels, raved about the tasty lamb shawarma and falafel in pita, with a delicious selection of fillings, especially brinjal.
