Emeril Lagasse seems to be eating his way through Massachusetts restaurants

Bam!

Emeril knows where to do his homework when it comes to researching Portuguese food: 

Back on his home turf, baby. 

Fall River’s own celebrity chef has been spotted in Portuguese restaurants, bakeries, and marketplaces all over Massachusetts and Rhode Island this week, like an Emeril whack-a-mole game.

Lagasse is planning a new restaurant to open in “late spring,” 34 Restaurant & Bar in New Orleans, billed on its website as “The Lagasse Family’s Love Letter to Portugal” — and he’s doing his research before writing.

Fall River’s Portugalia Marketplace — which Boston-born GBH “Roadfood” host Misha Collins described to me aptly as “the Whole Foods of Portuguese imported cuisine” — posted to Instagram Tuesday:

“This afternoon, we had the great pleasure of hosting Fall River’s own Emeril along with his team on a research trip for the soon-to-open 34 Restaurant & Bar in New Orleans. We had great conversations related to food, wine and growing up in Fall River.” 

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(And by the looks of those wine racks, you probably can’t research more Portuguese wines in one spot.) 

In an Instagram story, Portuguese native chef Natalia Paiva Neves posted that Lagasse stopped at her O Dinis in East Providence. “Absolutely great experience,” she posted with a Portuguese flag emoji. “Chef is down to earth and humble. 

“Great night with Chef Emeril Lagasse and his team,” O Dinis posted in an Instagram story.

Meanwhile, on April 21, Fall River’s Portuguese bakery, Europa Pastries & Coffee Shop, shared on Facebook what looked like cash register camera footage: “We had a surprise visit from Emeril Lagasse and crew. He took home a few of our Portuguese pastries and of course our Pastel de Nata.”

Next up, Emeril & co hit up Sagres Restaurant, a noted Fall River Portuguese food spot. The restaurant posted to Facebook on April 21 two photos of Lagasse and crew dining: “It was an honor to have Chef Emeril Lagasse at our restaurant! He has been a great ambassador for Fall River and for Portuguese food.” 

Was he done yet? 

No, by God. No. This man is here to research.   

Also on April 21, Portas Da Cidade Restaurant and Lounge in Westport posted to Facebook a group photo with Emeril standing center: “It was an honor and privilege to have Chef Emeril Lagasse and his team dine with us this afternoon.”

On April 22, Fall River’s T A Restaurant shared photos of Lagasse with restaurant managers: “We hope you enjoyed our traditional Azorean cuisine!”

But his trip wasn’t just pigeon-holed to Portuguese fare:

“Thank you, Emeril Lagasse, for joining us at Nicks Hot Dogs today!”  Fall River’s Coney Island joint posted.

If you spot the legend around southern New England, let us know; we just may have Part II of Emeril’s Epic Journey coming soon …

Lauren Daley is a freelance writer. She can be reached at [email protected]. She tweets @laurendaley1, and Instagrams at @laurendaley1.