Júlio Magalhães
Alison Buechner e Kerstin Buechner
José António Nunes (Zé Tó)
Owner of Solar Dos Nunes
José António Nunes was born in Lisbon, although his Alentejo origins are always present in what he is and does. Zé Tó, as he is known, studied architecture and his father even promised him a sky-blue Mercedes if he finished the course, but the desire to follow the family dream proved more alluring. Solar dos Nunes opened its doors 30 years ago, on the Rua dos Lusíadas, in Lisbon, where it still stands today, steadfast and known by everyone. There have been and will be some changes, new projects, but the identity and spirit of Solar dos Nunes will always be the same.
When Solar Dos Nunes opened its doors in 1988, was this an old dream come true?
Solar dos Nunes opened its doors in October 1988: a dream come true, ever since I, Ze Tó, decided that my passion would be to follow in my parents’ business footsteps, letting go of a career in architecture, which I was studying at the time, despite my father’s promises to give me «a sky-blue Mercedes, if you finish the course». I encouraged father to get a place on the Rua dos Lusíadas, where the restaurant still operates today. A dream, an ‘architecture’ where the family, my parents, were the foundations of the construction of this our small ‘large’ house.
What has changed in these 30 years of business?
Changes happen every day. As a family business, Solar dos Nunes came about as an ideal. There is a deep emotional bond, of being part of a project undertaken with my father. However, and during his time as manager, we have striven to evolve according to the needs and requirements of our customers and friends, never changing the nature of Solar dos Nunes.
«There is a deep emotional bond, of being part of a project undertaken with my father»
Why focus on typically Portuguese cuisine, and in particular Alentejo cuisine?
The focus on typically Portuguese cuisine, and in particular Alentejo cuisine, was no more than choosing the dishes that my mother cooked at home. I come from the Alentejo, on my mother’s side, and I am passionate about the great simplicity and richness of Alentejo cuisine. Alentejo cuisine is simple but imaginative. The gauntlet is thrown down: some slices of hard bread, garlic, olive oil, salt, coriander and boiling water... (these are the ingredients of Açorda de Alho Alentejana), my favourite dish and considered by many to be a unique delicacy!
‘Almost everyone’ of national and international renown has been to Solar Dos Nunes. Do you feel proud?
Yes, I feel proud and flattered for being able to welcome and serve people of national and international fame, but above all I feel very proud to be able to welcome and serve all kinds of people/friends. Serving is what we do and it is an art made of humility and from the heart. As my father would say, «Ever Faithful to Good Service»
Is there any project with regard to the restaurant that you want to take forward in the short/medium term?
There are some projects in the pipeline, and one of them will be completed soon, which will be a surprise for Solar’s customers and friends. One of the projects, which we started in the recent past, is offering catering services, which range from a dinner at your home to events with up to 1200 people (whether private or corporate).
