This is the 7863rd most frequent Portuguese word.
recomendou
"Recommended."
Here, 'recomendou' is used in the past tense to indicate that the individual suggested the book as helpful for study purposes.
Ele recomendou o livro para o estudo.
He recommended the book for studying.
'Recomendou' conveys advice given by the doctor, expressed in past tense, suggesting a course of action for health improvement.
O médico recomendou que eu descansasse mais.
The doctor recommended that I rest more.
In this case, 'recomendou' is used to depict Maria's sharing her positive experience with the restaurant in past tense.