LAB by Sergi Arola

LAB by Sergi Arola is a fine dining restaurant at the Penha Longa Resort on Estrada da Lagoa Azul, near Sintra in Portugal. It carries the name of the Spanish chef Sergi Arola, and the item describes the cooking as avant-garde, blending Spanish and Portuguese influences with molecular gastronomy techniques. The restaurant is listed as Michelin-starred and works around a tasting menu at roughly 145 euros, with dishes named in the listing such as a liquid salad and a deconstructed seafood rice. The seafood rice is a clear example of the approach, since it takes a traditional Iberian dish and rebuilds its flavours in an unfamiliar form. The restaurant is part of a large resort on the edge of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, so the setting is calm and green, with golf course and woodland surroundings that contrast with the busier Sintra town centre. The dining room is intimate and contemporary, with a low noise level and a dress expectation of smart-casual or better. Service is formal and attentive, and the menu is designed as a multi-course evening that can last around three hours. The wine list draws on Portuguese and Spanish regions, and a pairing is a sensible choice for guests who want to taste both countries. Opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday from 7pm to 10:30pm, so the restaurant serves dinner only and is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Reservations are required, and tables on Friday and Saturday evenings often need a few weeks of notice. Because the resort is a short drive from Sintra's palaces and from Cascais, many guests combine a daytime visit to Pena Palace or Quinta da Regaleira with the dinner. A taxi or private car is the practical way to arrive, since the resort sits outside the town centre. Guests should mention dietary needs at booking so the kitchen can adjust the tasting courses.