Taunton Dessert Inspired By The Azores Sparks Portuguese Nostalgia

Restaurant Week wrapped up with a sweet finale in Taunton, and this stop hit especially close to home.

The MGM Show’s final Restaurant Week visit brought us to Cantinho dos Acores Restaurant, a cozy Portuguese spot tucked inside the Taunton Eagle Soccer Club. The moment the food started hitting the table, it felt like stepping back into my childhood.

Growing up, I spent a lot of time at my Vavó’s house. The second you opened the door, the smell of caldo verde (kale soup) would smack you right in the face. She loved to cook and bake, and somehow those comforting aromas always lingered through the house even when she wasn’t actively in the kitchen. So whenever I visit a Portuguese restaurant, I tend to lean into those memories.

Get our free mobile app

A Feast With an Azorean Twist

Dinner started off exactly the way you’d hope at a Portuguese kitchen.

There was octopus stew with a rich red sauce, creamy chicken Mozambique, perfectly prepared cod with Portuguese stuffing and a spicy hot butter for dipping, and of course the comforting bowl of soupas that always feels like home. Each dish carried that unmistakable Azorean warmth – the kind of food that feels like it was cooked slowly and served with pride.

READ MORE: The Top Five Things About Being Portuguese

As good as the main dishes were, the real star of the night didn’t arrive until the final round: dessert.

When the Desserts Hit the Table

First came the classics.

The flan was pillowy and smooth, the passion fruit mousse was light and refreshing, and the homemade pastel de nata had that beautiful crunchy shell with a slightly toasty finish.

But then my eyes landed on something I had never seen before.

Meet “Drunk Pineapple”

The dessert was called Abacaxi Bêbado, which translates to “drunk pineapple.”

Owner Marlene Medeiros has had Cantinho dos Acores open for about six months, but she’s already sharing family recipe inspired dishes as a nod to her roots in São Miguel.

The dessert itself is simple, but brilliant.

Warm slices of pineapple are slowly coated in a port wine and brown sugar glaze, creating a sticky sauce that tastes somewhere between molasses and honey. The pineapple soaks up all that sweetness while still keeping its bright tropical bite.

A Sweet Tribute to the Azores

The inspiration behind the dish comes straight from São Miguel.

READ MORE: The Story Behind The Portuguese Rooster

The island is famous for its pineapple farms, where the climate is perfect for growing the fruit. While many Portuguese desserts feature “drunken pears,” Medeiros swapped the pears for pineapple as a tribute to her home island.

Let's just say, the result was the absolute magic.

The warm pineapple slices paired with that sweet, sticky glaze were a little messy, incredibly comforting, and honestly one of those desserts that makes you close your eyes for a second after the first bite.

A Perfect Ending to Restaurant Week

Restaurant Week had plenty of standout dishes, but this one might be the most memorable.

Abacaxi Bêbado isn’t just a dessert. It’s a little taste of the Azores, served with heart and family tradition. So if you ever find yourself in Taunton and stop into Cantinho dos Acores, do yourself a favor and save room for the pineapple.