What's that? Oh, bubbles for the girls!
Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts
Easter Snaps
And the Easter break is gone. How about a quick run through the best bits with some stunning pictures to add to it? Oh go on then.
It started well with an amazing lunch at Bar do Guincho.
[Bar do Guincho - Cascais]
[Prawn & squid skewer]
Totally recommend it if you're staying in Cascais, even for a quick visit. Amazing view of Praia da Adrága and, as you can tell, amazing food to go with it. Don't forget to order the white Sangria - oh summer!
Once our stomachs stopped complaining, we headed to Boca do Inferno for a little touristic pretend - since every time the Beef comes to town, all we do is eat and drink with the family, culture not so much.
The (three) kids had some fun at the beach.
Easter Sunday was spent in Sintra - a lot of family and babies everywhere!
Monday was time for some (and the only) shopping at Chiado with the sun shining! Then a quick bite at No Solo Italia in Belém - near the river, amazing food and even better caipiroskas!
[Eureka Shoes Store - Chiado]
[No Solo Italia Restaurant]
[Padrão dos Descobrimentos - Belém]
A good long weekend, never quite long enough...
Portuguesey @ Empadaria do Chef
Oh.My.Lord. I'm already freaking obsessed with the Portuguese pastries since I was born but this place is a complete delight. [For my English friends, I mean savoury pastries, not deserts.] Owned by a super famous Portuguese Chef - José Avillez (check his website here) - the Empadaria do Chef turns one of the Portuguese specialities in something quick, easy, affordable and still incredibly chic.
The place
The decoration is absolutely lo-ve-ly. Located inside the Armazéns do Chiado, the mini shopping centre in Chiado, it's the perfect place to pop by and have a quick meal before going back to the touristy stuff. It's super quick, no queues, and you have lots of tables across all the other restaurants so no waiting either. And the actual stand just makes you paint your kitchen blue straightaway.
Convinced yet?! Check out their Facebook page here and then there will be no doubts...
The Food
I don't even need to go into much detail here. It's just amazing. If you like pastries, then you're in heaven. If you don't, then try it because that's about to change. You have just the right amount of options you need - enough to leave me in my indecisive mode. I went for the Vitela & Espinafres (Beef & Spinach) one, with rice and salad as sides. But please go more than once so you can try the others - and let me know, obvs.
Traditional chicken, Prawn, Beef & Spinach, Chorizo... A whole variety to make your mouth water!
The Menus that make your life easier...
The sides: White rice, Tomato rice, Salad...
The desserts: Lime mousse and Chocolate cake
Taps&Burgs #2
It's been a while since my last Taps&Burgs post - shame on me. Guess I haven't been going out for dinner as often (bit too maniac at work!) but nothing to stop me eating my favs of course. Today's place is a proper Tapas one, where I used to go with my lovely Spanish class girls back at the old job - The Port House.
The place is super cozy (as all my fav places are!) but surprisingly big - I've recently discovered the top floor! Quite romantic I would say, with low light and cute candles but also suitable for the usual girls catch up. The staff is really nice, friendly and mainly Spanish, which allows us to practice a bit.
The Tapas are a-mazing. And I do like the fact that this place seems to have the country's specialities rather than the usual ones. Although, my favourites are obviously the chicken and ham croquettas.
We've tried some new ones this time involving seafood in a rice bed and a good looking pork steak.
And then the usual chorizo platter & patatas bravas.
Do check The Port House's website here and book it in the diaries - it's just round the corner from Covent Garden, on the Strand.
Must have: White Port Sangria. Yes, I know, it sounds amazing and it is amazing.
Portuguesey @ Chef Nino
And I'm back with the Portuguese delights. This one is a brunch type of place that I definitely try to go to when I'm in Lisbon. The place is amazing, the people are super nice and the food is absolutely delicious with that hint of healthiness that doesn't make you feel like you have to run to the gym right after.
The place
Chef Nino is located in Lisbon, at Lx Factory - which tells you straightaway the kind of place that is. With the same Shoreditch touch as my last post, it's even more cozy and tiny, making you feel like you are just having brunch at a friend's. Surprisingly, I've been there twice and never had to wait for a table - which would never ever happen in London.
The people
You can pretty much find everyone here. Cute families full of kids, quiet little couples, friends having the weekend catch up... What you can't find is massive tables with huge groups - the place is too tiny for that.
The food
The best place for me. Why? Because it makes the choices easier and I don't have to be indecisive for about 15 min to then prefer my neighbour's meal. They have a set brunch with variants in some ingredients, drinks and desert/coffee.
They bring you this amazing bread plate at the start while they tell you the variants of the day. Trust me, by this time you're already convinced.
I went for the Brie with honey & nuts - in one word, yum.
Jo tried the ham & chorizo, with black olive patê. Both came with a glass of carrot soup just at the right temperature, yogurt & cereal for desert, salad with lettuce, rocket and pasta, and a square of spinach quiche. De-li-ci-ous.
The best part of all of this is that all of it is incredibly cheap. Which makes you want to come back even more. Especially when you make a random request of a bit of bread & butter for the way - to feed a starving nephew and niece that came to pick me up - and they are more than happy to get it.
You can know more about Chef Nino at their Facebook page here. And because this place never stops pleasing us, they are actually known for their ice creams which you can also have a look on their page and pick your favourite to have after your brunch!
Two very happy girls with a full stomach - miss you already Jo <3
