The secrets of the black pig

That is a literal translation of the specific black pork product I have been searching for.

Let me be clear: you should eat all of the black pig. It is all insanely delicious. But In my travels I heard tell of a special cut of meat said to be particularly succulent and so it was the secretos de porco preto I was after.

I thought it would be easy to find in the Alentejo (the bread basket of Portugal), but I was very much mistaken. In the end, Nuno saved the day. After asking the bartender whether secretos were on the hotel restaurant menu (the answer was let me see if we can get them for you) (he called the kitchen but they couldn't) he called every restaurant on my list to ask.

Not a single restaurant had them on offer  (I need to work on my restaurant selection).

So we headed out into the cold Evora night, and wouldn't you know, the second restaurant we passed was a black pig specialist. Nuno confirmed that they has it on the menu and settled us in. 

I was deeply suspicious. It was an outdoor restaurant  (heated patio but still) and the secretos supposedly came with guacamole on the side. (?!?!?!)

But instead of guacamole, it was Russian salad. And then, because it was cold and they are changing to their winter menu, thry brought us a side of mushroom risotto. Just for kicks.

And the secrets? Damn. Damn, damn, damn. Everything I dreamed of.