Italian Burger and Lobster House

Eating Lobster don't need to be over expensive... and there are a great place in Lisbon where you you can eat a pretty good lobster... and the best part is you can pair it with a burger. The restaurant is called Italian Burger and Lobster House

Mesa do Bairro

The Restaurant Mesa do Bairro (Neighborhood Table -  the literal translation) 

I must say I was quite surprised, for better of course! The restaurant is very nice, to bad the heat which not allow us to eat on the terrace.

Pap'Açorda

Well, this restaurant started at Bairro Alto and build up his reputation there... but I never went there so I can't compare... I can only describe my experience at his new location (Mercado de Ribeira).

Rio Maravilha - LX Factory

One of the best surprises in a while...

Beside the breathtaking view the food was a really good surprise and surpassed, by far, my expectations!...  I wasn't surprised that way for a long time. I must be honest! I was aware that the restaurant itself was spectacular but I was waiting for the food to be average... so happy to be wrong.

Museu do Oriente - Brunch

So! Weekends are one of the most amazing things ever invented... with the only purpose of resting! So the best thing you can is eat out... And a brunch is a really good option.

PIGMEU

This restaurant has just become one of my favorites ... and I will explain why ...

The space is quite simple but at the same time welcoming. Very professional service and a family! They aren't constantly coming to the table to see if everything is "ok". I loved it. When the dishes are served they ask if everything is in order and if you want something else, and since they serve, mainly, snacks, occasionally go to the table to take the empty plates... The service is really really good.

Alma by Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa

By the hand of the Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa... Alma is an amazing restaurant, located in Chiado, one of the busies places in Lisboa.

This chef has worked all over the world... from London, Sydney and US... and this restaurant is a clear attempt do win a Michelin Star. The space is very clean, great decoration and a top service. 

A Cevicheria

When the A Cevicheria opened I told to myself "You must go there!!!".

I always admired the work of the Chef Kiko Martins, specially when I went to the "O Talho". According with what I read this restaurant is inspired in the many trips that chef has done to South America.

Herdade do Esporão

Herdade do Esporão was founded in 1267, located in the sunny Alentejo, it is one of the most important wine producers in Portugal, with more than 400 hectares of vineyard (housing 194 types of grape) and 80 hectares of olive trees.

Peixaria da Esquina

Look! Here is a restaurant that is what I like ...

When I heard that the Chef Vitor Sobral was going to open a new restaurant dedicated to fish ... I began to imagine myself to eat the best fish dishes in the world.

I was right!.... Knowing what is good fish, expectations were high (especially after seeing the dishes that he had presented in Peixe em Lisboa).

So... I star reading the menu and I realized the choice was going to be difficult ...

We start with some snack, to share, and the chosen were:

Marinated Salmon (a dish of the day) and Marinated Tuna (to die and die for, the fish couldn't be fresher ...it had arrived to the restaurant the day before).

Fried cuttlefish... the best version, so far, that I ate in my life.

It's hard to say which of the three was the best ... but if  I have to choose must be the fried cuttlefish.

I'm of from a place where the fried cuttlefish is King ... and as expected I'm a big fan of this dish! I eat this dish very often ... and I must say this was probably the best I've had so far ... was perfect frying, no greasy, with this amazing lemon zest and taste and this divine alioli.

Main dishes! Grilled Squid and Cod "Açorda"! ... Well! squids were very good, with a vinegary touch and very well done ... But there is no doubt! The Cod "Açorda" stole spotlight ... just perfect ... a balanced dish, well seasoned ... just so tasty and mind-blowing ! I could spend my day eating that.

Dessert Time. Again a "headache", in a good way! After all we had tasted ... would certainly be great.

We chose:

Green tea pudding, watermelon and ginger

Caramel tart with toasted pistachios

Cream burnt with S.Tomé vanilla.

Again! different combinations and all delicious and great look. My favorite ... all !!! I can not choose ... but if I have to recommend! the Caramel tart.

Good Good Good! ... A restaurant that everyone should try... but a little advice! making reservation.

Food:

http://www.peixariadaesquina.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Cervejariadaesquina

Address:

Rua Correia Teles, 56

Campo de Ourique, Lisboa

Contact: 

213874644

912946155

Eat Drink Live Enjoy...

Gadanha Mercearia

It's not the first time that I say this... but Gadanha Mercearia is, without a doubt, one of my favorite restaurants... in fact top 3 for sure.

I go there every time I can.

SushiCafé Oeiras

Another SushiCafé that didn't disappoint ... The only thing I have to point is that I would like to see this restaurant in a location that would favor it more ... The sushi is too good for a Shopping Center ... The lucky is that there is some separation from this space and the others "Fast Food" corners (and thankfully).

SushiCafe Avenida

Today was sushi day. This restaurant was on my list "Restaurants to go as soon ass possible" and after I tried a few delicacies at "Peixe em Lisboa" the need become even bigger.... and today was the day.

A lot of peoples say that this restaurant has the best sushi in Lisbon... in my opinion it depends the concept of Lisbon... if it is the city itself! Yes! I agreed... but if they are considering the Greater Lisbon (which include Cascais, Sintra and so on) I disagree but it is definitely in the Top 3. 

The place is real cool... modern, simplistic... fitted to the type of cuisine.

Rota de Tapas 2015

Rota de Tapas is back and full of surprises. From May 21 to June 7 Lisbon will be full of Tapas.

This event is sponsored by Estrella Damm, for those who don't know this a Spanish beer created in 1872 by August Kuentzmann Damm. This brand makes amazing beer which include one of the most amazing beers that I ever tasted (Estrella Damm Inedit) by one of the most amazing chefs in the World Ferran Adriá.

This year the event has more restaurants then ever... 52 to be exact! that's rights 52 places where you can eat the best tapas of Lisbon.

The restaurants are spread by the entire City... Santos, Sé, Alfama, Madragoa and more! this is the perfect opportunity to see the city in a proper way...

But the best surprise this year are the Tuk-Tuks... that's right... the organization made a partnership with a tuk-tuk company called Eco Tuk Tours... to use their services you have bring to 6 friends and need to already one stamp!

For those who don't know you can collect stamp in the places that you visit and with 3 different stamp you can win a trip to Barcelona.

490 Taberna STB

Since the oppening that I wanted to visit this restaurant but never had the chance to do it, until now... And WOW... Amazing.

It is, probably, the best restaurant in Setúbal right now. The space itself is very small, but they have a lot of space outside (by the way must be perfect in the summer).

The Restaurant is located at Luisa Todi avenue (the main avenue of Setúbal). This city has a lot of restaurant, most of them dedicated to fish (since this city has a big fish culture... and has the best fish there are)... but it was missing a great restaurant with other dishes beside fish. There are many restaurant with this concept (tapas, small dishes... tavern style with snack) but none of them seems to care about quality... most of them is very traditional and old... And after my visit to 490 Taberna... I raised my hands to the sky... and said "Thanks God".

This restaurant serves mainly tapas/snacks but also have meat dishes and fish dishes... But I advice you to invest in the snacks and them share the main course... you will not regret it.

So before the order we start with the couvert... codfish with chickpeas and olive-oil (codfish salad - a very traditional Portuguese dish), homemade goat-butter (the first restaurant in Setúbal that I saw serving homemade butter, huge plus)... The only think that I would change would be the bread... they could serve different types of bread.

Restaurant "Flores do Bairro"

This restaurant was a completely strange to me until the event "Peixe em Lisboa"...and this is why I love so much this kind of events... we have the opportunity to meet new people and specially different places that we didn't know that they exist.

So! This restaurant is located in Chiado (Lisbon) and it is part of the Bairro Alto Hotel (a 5-start hotel). The restaurant is very cozy and small, in my opinion, it has the perfect size... but also has a big disadvantage! it doesn't have direct access to the street. Passing outside you don't even notice that there are a great restaurant there.

Peixe em Lisboa - 2015

This event is always really exciting... its all about the quality and the fish (mostly!!! they also have meat dishes).

"Peixe em Lisboa" takes place at Patéo da Galé (Terreiro do Paço), one of the most emblematic places of Lisbon, even from Portugal, and gathers all this amazing and talent chef (in one place!!!)... Perfect!

I can try all the spectacular dishes without leaving the place... 

Just a few names that will make you "jealous", if you haven't gone there yet... 

- Chef José Avillez (2 michelin star): Belcanto, Café Lisboa, Mini Bar, Cantinho do Avillez

- Chef Kiko Martins: A Cevicheria, O Talho

- Chef Milton Anes: Arola

- Chef Vitor Sobral e Chef Hugo Nascimento: Tasca da Esquina, Cervejaria da Esquina 

- Chef Justa Nobre: O Nobre, Nobre Estoril

But the list continues:

- Sushi Café

- Las Ficheras

- Pap'Açorda

- Ribamar

- Taberna Rua das Flores & Flores do Bairro

Obviously I try as much as I could...

I start with...

Street Food European Festival

During this days (from 4 to 12 of March) the Street Food European Festival took over the garden of Casino of Estoril for one of the most incredible events... a festival dedicated to the street food with amazing food truck that will blow your mind...

With the perfect weather that Portugal have this event has every thing to a success! As a Foodie I couldn't miss the first day... and it was chaotic! thousands of people... But I dont care the food that I tried was spot on.

I start at Cucina with their Roastbeef Piadina... SPECTACULAR! I start my lunch there and after going home I stop there again for a Salmon Piadina. Piadina is an italian bread (flat round bread) that they stuff with amazing ingredients (specially the Roastbeef).

Next stop... FRUA for a great fruit juice! made on demand in front of the customers... fresh fruit and ice... simple and delicious. Despite the fact that the main sponsor of the event is beer company... fresh fruit doesn't hurt.

The big moment... Conceito Food Truck... This guys have a restaurant in Bicesse called Conceito Food Store and street food is not something that they do on the regular basis so I was curious to see how or if they could carry the concept of the restaurant for something "Street" worthy... and I thing the final result was very positive! They have a lot of complex and interesting dishes that shows the soul of the restaurant. With all the options I only tried the Burger and what a burger and after this one I didn't try any more burger (wouldn't be fair for the other burgers)... the meat was tender and rare (as I had asked) and it was served with caramelized onions and home made mayo.

And the dessert was waffle with Belgian chocolate and almonds at Waffelaria. The waffles were good but I was expecting more... something much closer to original Belgian Waffle... because the smell made travel to Belgium.

Eat Drink Live Enjoy...

Nobre Estoril

If you are in Estoril and you try your luck at the Casino there only one place to eat... Nobre Estoril to enjoy this environment. This restaurant is located inside of the Casino of Estoril... a mix between the traditional Portuguese food and the lights and exuberance of a Casino.

In all the reviews that I read, all of them talk about the fact that the restaurant doesn't have a view to the street only to the inside of the Casino... I my response to that is "who cares!!! I don't"... if you want a outside-view the chef has another restaurant in Lisbon... go there instead...     

About the restaurant... the space is small (very cozy) and the best thing you have to do is a reservation... beside the staff always reserve the best tables for those who do it.  

Regarding the food...

Arola

Another visit to the amazing and gorgeous Penha Longa Resort and this time to eat at Arola. This restaurant is one of the three restaurants that this resort has, along with Il Mercato e Midori (check the post about this one).

It is the only one outside the main building, the most modern too and best known for his wine cellar, vodka bar and menu by Sergi Arola (Michelin Star Chef).

The Menu was design by Sergi Arola but the food is made by Chef Milton Anes... and what a great work that he and his team do.

As usual the choice was the tasting Menu and it was an amazing experience... the food is delicious, the space perfect... everything spot on... and by the way! the restaurant has an open kitchen! always a plus.

So lets talk about this outstanding menu, shall we...