This week sees renowned Portuguese chef Nuno Mendes open a new restaurant and bar – Cozinha das Flores and Flôr – in the historic centre of Porto, Largo de São Domingos.

The venue was designed by Danish couple Signe Bindslev Henriksen and Peter Bundgaard Rützlou, Space Copenhagen, who specialise in using light to create “atmosphere, warmth and presence”.

The venues will draw on the region’s gastronomy and oenology, Mendes’ association with the area through his mother’s family, his hope is to open up what he describes as “a true dialogue with the city”.

High on the Cozinha das Flores restaurant menu will be signature dishes such as Turnip Natas, inspired by the famous custard tart: creamy turnip custard topped with caviar; also, giant squid noodles with white beans and cod tripe stew, a creation that combines regional ingredients to produce a dish unlike anything else.

The wine list will focus on the region’s viticultural history with producers such as Niepoort and Luis Pato, along with new brands like Paraiso Natural and Mateus Nicolau de Almeida.

The 12-seater bar Flôr will specialise in cocktails developed by mixologist Tatiana Cardoso, including Clichèd: gin, coriander, apple, amaranth and cod – Cardoso extracts the essence of the fish to bring a “slight salinity” to the drink.

“My hope is that both Cozinha das Flores and Flôr will become a part of the city of Porto; a home for both locals and visitors alike,” said Mendes, who also has a London venue, Lisboeta, in Charlotte Street.

The new venues open on February 16.