Authentic Portuguese cuisine in a tucked-away gem of a locale.

The Scene
With its cool décor of saturated but subdued colors and mix of small tables and booths, Atasca wouldn't look at all out of place in Lisbon's Chiado district. Tables are often shoved together for en masse dining like visiting Portuguese trade delegations or East Cambridge family gatherings.

The Food
Hands down, Atasca is the best place in Greater Boston to sample a wide range of Portuguese regional cuisines. Appetizers tend to be simple and bold: linguiça with grilled slices of pineapple, or grilled fresh sardines in vinaigrette. The delicate flavors of northern Portugal ring clear in the simple chicken breast sautéed in vinho verde with mushrooms, artichokes and peppers. The signature dish of south-central Portugal, carne de porco a Alentejana, is a lusty plate of pork loin slices with clams, paprika, cilantro and garlic.