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Delicious flavor and fun all at the same table? Emidio's Restaurant offers Atlanta a taste of Portugal

"Wherever we go, it turns to a big party!"

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Country: Portugal

Dish: Cataplana

Location: Sandy Springs

Stop: #17

Think about that one friend who always hosts a party. The family that's ready with an invitation to join for dinner. Emidio's Restaurant in Sandy Springs is designed with a plan -- customers will walk in looking for good food and leave with a sense of community. 

Such is the tradition of Portuguese food, according to Jose 'Emidio' Sapeta, chef and part of the restaurant's husband and wife team. 

The traditional Portuguese presentation is part of the fun. For instance, the cataplana, a mostly seafood dish in a tomato sauce cooked in a special spherical pot that's known by the same name. 

“It’s a cup shell," Sapeta said. "What it does is keep the heat inside. Also, when it’s cooking, the steam stays in. The flavor stays in. It doesn’t come out.”

“How does this dish represent Portugal?” 

"It’s one of the most popular dish," the chef explained.

And where food like catalplana is served, fun follows. 

"Wherever we go and there is food, or we go to spend the day, we start with four or six people and turn into 20 people, because whatever’s come is welcome," Sapeta said. 

“How does this dish represent Atlanta?” 

"[Life in Atlanta] gives me a little bit of Madeira-style,” Sapeta said. "I should have come here a long time ago."

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