Portuguese food - recommendations ?

Help a girl out. My boyfriend loves my cooking a little too much. I love trying new restaurants, but sometimes I land a dud. We travel between Pawtucket and Newport and are open to options beyond providence. I'm trying to find good Portuguese food. I don't know if the places I'm trying aren't the best or if we may have different palettes. Or if I aimed to high, assuming that the expensive place would be good.

So far, we went to Sagres in Fall river. I was actually surprised to see it was upscale dining, with white tablecloths.

I had the Caldo verde soup and the Frango Assado (BBQ Chicken). He had the Carne de Porco a Alentejana, which is marinated pork with little necks and potatoes in wine sauce. I really hate to complain but it didn't meet our expectations. The BBQ chicken had an au jus that was just the grease from the chicken and it was dry. The rice, felt off, like its instant rice. His dish wasn't appetizing at all.

I will say the service was excellent, but I don't know if we are being too much of food snobs. Or again if he is spoiled. I worked in many fine dining restaurants before my corporate career and have picked up many many tricks. For example, I made a vodka sauce enhance with gochujang (korean pickled red pepper) and subbed brandy for vodka, additionally I used tomato paste and caramelized them to up the unami flavor profile before adding in cream and parm.

Its just not hitting, the way we were hoping. Alternatively, Maybe Portugese food stays closed to its traditional preparation and hasn't been Americanized like italian food has or hit what I can 3rd wave fusion. Much like you see in Los Angles with Korexican Taco's.

The other place I've been is Barcelos Bakery, I love their traditional desserts. I'm okay making wandering mistakes and am open minded. I'm planning to check out Maderia in E. Providence for Restaurant week for myself.

Does anyone else see the potential for Portuguese food or has it not hit its stride, much like other ethnic foods categories.