Rio Douro Offers Portuguese and Italian Cuisines Under One Roof

On the corner of Horseblock Road and Woodmont Place in Farmingville sits a restaurant formerly known as Portuguese Paradise. But as of two months ago, under new ownership, the adobe-style building is now called Rio Douro.

Still serving up Portuguese cuisine, Rio Douro has an interesting mix and also serves Italian food. Diners can eat at the restaurant for lunch and dinner, or they can book a large party, as the restaurant also offers catering.

Carlos Valente, an owner of Rio Douro, said catered parties cost between $30-40 per person, depending on the type of occasion and food served. Valente said parties range anywhere from 50-90 people and a typical party consists of 2-3 appetizers, a salad, pasta and a main course.

Some appetizers Rio Douro offers are Portuguese cod fish cakes ($8.95), bruschetta di pomodoro ($6.95), Portuguese chourico ($8.95) and fried calamari arrabiatta ($15.95). Different types of risotto dishes are on the menu ($9.95-15) as well as a wide selection of pastas and chicken, shrimp and veal parmigana ($15.75 for chicken and $16.95 for veal or shrimp).

There are also many different seafood dishes such as the classic stuffed lobster (market price), salmon thermidor ($16.95), house-style codfish with onions ($23.95) and shrimp scampi ($18). Various types of veal and chicken dishes ($15.95-19.95), as well as a pork dish ($17.95) and sirloin steak ($22.95), are also on the menu.

Valente said Rio Douro also houses a full bar with a deejay and other live entertainment on the weekends.

As for business, Valente said it's been pretty good so far, adding that there was a large party the night of June 5. 

"So far, [business has been] okay," he said.

Rio Douro is open from noon to midnight during the week, but closes at 2 a.m. on the weekends. To inquire about its catering services, or for any other additional information, call Rio Douro at 631-880-7890.