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... 

Moules & Gin

Moules & gin is one of the three restaurant of this type in Lisbon.

Moules & Wine (The Father - located in Lisbon - LX Factory)

Moules & Gin (The older Brother - Located in Cascais)

Moules & Beer (The Younger Brother - Located in Lisbon - Campo de Ourique)

I give them this designation due to the drink that follow the moules.

As you already notice the moules are the star of this restaurant... based on a traditional Belgian dish... the moules are becoming very popular and the best part is that you can eat them with your hand (the best way and the only way for me)... The first time that I try this dish, as a dish, was in Belgium and even there ate them with my hand...

They also have a few meat dishes (two to be precise...) but the specialty is the moules and as you can see in his name the gin is also king.

Casa Mateus

Casa Mateus... The jewel of Sesimbra.

Sesimbra is a portuguese coast village famous for his amazing fish... and Casa Mateus is the perfect example of this passion for the fish and the local products.

This restaurant is very small (no more than 10 tables... very close to each other... the family spirit!!)... very familiar. The first thing that you notice when you came close to the restaurant are these amazing tiles in the facade of the restaurant.

From now on... my favorite place to eat in Sesimbra.

The food is outstanding... where the tradition meets the new... where traditional dishes get a new presentation (you will understand what I'm saying)...

Since I start talking about the food...

TABIK

The type of restaurant that was missing at Avenida da Liberdade... Fine dining that respects the Portuguese cuisine and all its traditional products without being innovative and creative.

The restaurant itself is very interesting... Right for all types of customer. We can divide the restaurant in three different areas. The back, much more reserved (that everyone can use), in the middle it is the Bar, tall tables and a great selection of gins and finally the entrance, a lot of light and for me best one. 

Before talking about the food I have to say that the service was perfect. Friendly people... Always tried and worried to know if everything was alright and if we are likening... And the best part was that the feedback that you give they make sure to pass the message to the kitchen.

Regarding the food... As you can notice from previous post Every time I can I choose the tasting Menu, and this time was no exception. So the menu has 6 dishes (2 starters, fish, meat, pre-dessert and dessert).