The brand’s name says it all. “You take the food home ready to go – it’s practical, it makes everyday life easier. But because it’s more gourmet, we ended up attaching more layers to that concept”, Simone explains. The space presents itself as a three-in-one – a gourmet concept store, café, and tableware shop – with equal emphasis on the food and the setting. “One of chef Patrícia’s trademarks is her tables. It’s not just that the food tastes amazing – it’s beautifully presented too. You eat with your eyes first”, she adds.
The menu includes dishes for two – meat, fish, and vegetarian options – as well as starters and sides, all made by hand with no canned or processed ingredients. “Everything I make comes from my own kitchen. Nothing is bought in, nothing comes from a tin. It’s all made from scratch”, says the chef. Even the freezing process has been fine-tuned. “It’s a special ultra-freezing method. The packaging is vacuum-sealed and doesn’t form ice crystals. When customers defrost the food, it tastes as if it’s just been made”, Patrícia explains.
The experience is rounded off by a few collaborators. Pastry chef Fábio Mendes is behind the desserts, creating croissants, éclairs, tarts and even a pastel de nata that could give Lisbon’s best a run for their money. “Fábio does what Patrícia does – but with pâtisserie. Everything’s handmade, everything uses top-quality ingredients”, Simone says. The tableware, selected in collaboration with event designer Patrícia Barreiro, is also for sale, reinforcing the idea that a meal isn’t just about what you eat, but how you serve it.
The café serves as both an entry point for new customers and a meeting place for those who already follow the chef. “People who come to pick up food often fall in love with the café. They say, ‘I’ll just have a quick coffee or try something small.’ That’s the kind of experience we want to create – for customers to walk in and feel they’re in a pleasant space where they can truly enjoy themselves”, explains Simone.
There’s also a private room set aside for workshops, tastings, and small-scale private events. “It’s a multipurpose space for up to ten people, where we can host meetings, afternoon teas, or get-togethers with friends – always with the idea of offering an experience”, says the founder.
The biggest challenge for the team is breaking down the stigma surrounding frozen food. “There’s still this idea that frozen food is bland or not fresh anymore. The secret is in how you defrost it. Our golden rule here is: no microwaves”, says the chef with a laugh. “On our packaging it actually says not to use one. I always say God created the oven and the devil created the microwave”. Patrícia also shares the perfect method for preparing the dishes: simply heat some water and immerse the sealed pack for ten minutes – that’s enough to have a meal ready without losing texture or flavour.
Among the best-sellers are the codfish with cornbread crust (€26) and the mignon medallion with mustard (€38), as well as starters like the cheese rolls – which Time Out Cascais tried – made by Brazilian partners. “We wanted to offer dishes that would appeal to both Portuguese and Brazilian customers, as we’ll be serving many from the Brazilian community who already know the chef’s work, but also new local clients”, says Simone.
The location in Parede was no coincidence. After a brief partnership running a pastry shop in the same spot, Simone and her husband realised there was room to take a chance on their own project. Prontto opened on September 5 and sold out almost its entire stock on the very first day. Since then, they’ve been restocking gradually and fine-tuning the menu to meet demand.
Looking ahead, the plan is to strengthen the seasonal side of the business, with special dishes for Christmas and other festive occasions. “It’s a market Patrícia already explores through her catering work, so it makes perfect sense to bring that to Prontto as well”, says the founder.
As Simone sums it up, “what sets us apart is the attention to aesthetics, flavour, and experience. It’s all about eating well and welcoming well – whether at home or here in the shop”.
Rua Miguel Bombarda 344, Loja 3 (Parede). Mon–Fri (09.00–19.00), Sat (09.00–17.00), Sun (closed)