Log In / Sign Up

monchique's Profile

Title Last Reply

Bairro Alto basics...

This would be a "garoto" followed by 1 or 2 "bicas"

May 02, 2013
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Bairro Alto basics...

I thought it would, but hopefully you got the different names sorted out. If not, I can help.

May 02, 2013
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Bairro Alto basics...

Not a specialist of the Bairro Alto but there are several threads on this board about Lisbon with good suggestions, and you won't starve. One can eat out quite cheaply in Portugal.
About shopping for groceries I suppose it is the same as anywhere else: You go to the nearest corner shop or supermarket, or to one of the several "Centros Comerciais" (Amoreiras, Colombo, etc.). I like best the Corte Ingles which has a hypermarket and also a great Gourmet shop in the basement.
About coffee, I think this link will amuse you: It lists the name of most of the coffees you can ask for. You will need to translate! http://pt.lisboando.com/comer-em-lisb...

May 01, 2013
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Finding Great Tomatoes in/around Cannes....

Tomato season in the South of France starts end of June beginning of July... so just be patient.

Apr 24, 2013
monchique in France

Trip report: Sintra, Evora, Porto, Lisbon

Interesting report, thank you! I have to admit not to have heard of any of the places you discovered except for Bonjardim, Ramiro and Fialho, all classics, and BL Lounge (more recent).
Glad you had at least one decent Poruguieses wine (Dona Maria), and hope you tried some of the great Portuguese wine wines also (vinho verde does not really qualify and sangria is not eally local...)
To answer your question, fresh pasta is indeed virtually unheard of in Portugal, they don't have a great tradition of Italian immigration / restaurants.

Apr 20, 2013
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Any tips in Sagres?

Mar a Vista in Sagres is rightly famous for fish and seafood, and has a terrace, but hardly romantic... Your best bet for romanticism is actually Martinhal's restaurant...
I would not recommend the Pousada. Have a look at the restaurant section of Essential Algarve, the reviews are very fair:
http://www.calameo.com/read/000027942...
But within taxi range of Martinhal, you are a bit stuck! I like "Vivendo" in Meia Praia (Lagos) very much and it would be perfect, but might be just out of range for you.

Apr 18, 2013
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Lisbon food and music

Hi acecil! There are several recent posts about both Lisbon and Fado like http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/830016 ; http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/896311

Try a search on this board. If you have a specific question, somebody will surely try to help :o)

Apr 14, 2013
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Lisbon & Porto in May! What am I eating?

Maybe you should look at a few posts like this one: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/787440
For what it's worth:

- Portugese Cheeses everywhere... Specially from Azeitão and look for a good Serra.
- Francesinha The McDo of Porto, definitly a messy aquired taste. You might want to try it once and never again.
- Ginjinha & Edwardinha only place is Rossio.
- Cataplana of some sort. That's from the Algarve, so you won't find a good one in either Lisbon or Porto.
- Chourico: Rarely eaten on its own, but mostly used in cooking. Sometimes (and the best way) grilled at table on burning "aguardente".
- Fresh Grilled Sardines Every tasca in Lisbon or Porto, follow your nose. Traditionally best eaten at lunch time.
- All the wine (yes....all of it) Good luck! Go by price range. 10 to 15 Euros in a restaurant should get you a very decent bottle. Under that figure, you take a risk (but might have a good surprise). Over that, you should know in advance what you're buying.
- Bacalhau On every menu under one form or the other (each restaurant has it's own recipe, it seems
)- Natas and other sweet things (I hear the portugese love their sweets). Your first stop should be in Belem, but you might stop at any pasteleria en route and take your pick.
- A Cozido or 2 or a dozen. Again, dish of the day in any tasca.

All your desires are actually staple diet in Portugal, so the choice will be unlimited! May-be that's why you don't get answers...

Mar 21, 2013
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Porto restaurant for groups

I am not a specialist of Porto, but 20 people is not a large group, and most restaurants should be able to accommodate you, especially for lunch as terraces should be usable in May (and providing you book ahead!). Have you thought of having lunch / dinner on a "barco rebelo" (small boat). You could probably book the whole boat for yourselves, and even if the food is so-so the cruise up and down river is worth it.
Several of the Port houses (Taylors, Graham, etc.) can also organise lunches or dinner at their cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia (other side of the river from Porto).

Mar 20, 2013
monchique in Spain/Portugal

ISO: Sub rolls from Portugal

If I knew what a sub roll looked like, I might try to help...

Mar 20, 2013
monchique in Home Cooking

Lisbon blowout

http://www.restauranteclaro.com/

I have just received a second commendation from a gourmet friend in Lisbon so it must be good (he is quite choosy!)

Mar 08, 2013
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Lisbon blowout

I certainly will next time I'm in Lisbon.

Mar 06, 2013
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Lisbon blowout

Hi Bimbog thank you for your post, I did not know that chef Leonel Perreira had moved out of the Sheraton (I was there end January and there was no mention of him moving); Having checked, I now understand he now works at the 1 Michelin star Sao Gabriel in the Algarve :o) It can only improves things there, as I have been wondering for a while how they retained a Michelin star at all (and why did the Panorama not get one...).
Agree with your comment on Feitoria, it is a bit out of the way, and the ambiance is not really romantic but the food is good.
Further from Lisbon, Fortaleza do Guincho would be top on my list.

Mar 05, 2013
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Lisbon blowout

Apart from Assinatura and Feitoria, both excellent, I would consider Belcanto as one of the top restaurants in Lisbon.
But if it was my honeymoon, I would go to the Panorama restaurant of the Sheraton, the food is superb and the view breathtaking. Book a window table and have the tasting menu...

Mar 04, 2013
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Lisbon Airport - Breakfast/Lunch

There is a food court with a whole range of eateries in the main terminal (air side) , with one reasonable Portuguese restaurant / self service. When stuck there, I might have a sandwich at the Harrods Café (not very Portuguese and rather expensive, therefore quieter) but if you have any chance to use one of the lounges, take it...

Feb 19, 2013
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Best Lisbon restuarants

2 nice photos on this page:

http://teresamesquita82.blogspot.pt/2...

Feb 18, 2013
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Best Lisbon restuarants

Plenty of info about restaurants in Lisbon and Fado on this forum; Put a search in the box at the top right of the page.
Ginjinha: Any of the cafés around Rossio or Chiado.

Jan 31, 2013
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Fado in Lisbon

Went recently to the newly refurbished Adega Machado in teh Barro Alto http://www.adegamachado.pt/pub/?lng=en and enjoyed both Fado and food (surprisingly good!). Not too many tourists either, mostly Portuguese people.
As RCC says, plenty of posts about Fado on this forum.

Jan 31, 2013
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Recommendations for La Rioja region, Spain

I second Remelluri! One of the best Riojas to IMHO

Jan 28, 2013
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Advice regarding Paella utensils and ingredients

Something like "Paellero" a mix you buy in Spain made with turmeric, paprika and safran (cheaper than using only safran, and gives a lovely yellow colour to the dish).

Jan 27, 2013
monchique in Home Cooking

Recommendations for La Rioja region, Spain

If you have only one night, stay at the Marques de Riscal hotel and visit the estate. http://www.hotel-marquesderiscal.com/en and http://www.marquesderiscal.com/indexe...
From there you can explore other wineries, if you want.

Jan 27, 2013
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Salzburg, and Kaprun, Austria

We like the rtestaurant S'Herzl at the Goldener Hirsch (separate entrance at the back). Very traditional and always good. http://www.restaurantherzl.at/en
Just the other side of the river through the walking bridge, the cafe Sacher overlooking the old town is a must... http://www.sacher.com/en-cafe-sacher-...
Otherwise, plenty of coffees in the old town, just follow your nose!

Jan 24, 2013
monchique in Europe

where to eat in Lisbon-cheap and moderate places

Check http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/784099 The answer is still accurate...

Jan 12, 2013
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Lisbon meals for 4 days?

In line with the Michelin star quality of the food. I would not advise it if all you want is a plane grilled steak... Jose Avillez specializes more in veal, lamb or pork dishes, or pigeon. http://www.joseavillez.pt/en#/en/belc...

Jan 12, 2013
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Lisbon meals for 4 days?

Add Belcanto on your list of dinners. Lisbon is very compact and taxis are plenty and cheap. So you don't need to limit yourself to the Chiado.
Check the numerous recent posts about Lisbon for ideas.

Jan 11, 2013
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Lisbon for New Year's and Jan 3-8th in Barcelona

Lisbon is well covered on this board (search box on upper right corner of this page), but specifically for New Year, you either you want to be in the crowd (Terreira do Paço and the "Baixa" or the "Parque das Nações") or well away from it... Matter of taste! Whichever you chose, you want to be at midnight somewhere you can see the fireworks. For me being of the 2nd type, I would book a table for the "Reveillon" at the Panorama restaurant at the Sheraton.
This site will show you what you can expect in term of prices (click on "Menu de Reveillon") http://restaurantes.aospontos.com/?pt...
Unfortunately, I cannot find anything about this year's offer so you will have to look at restaurant's websites for details.

Dec 08, 2012
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Portugal Michelin Stars 2013

One could hardly call them changes, as Jose Avilez star followed him to Belcanto (I have not been yet). I thought Tavares should have retained a star as Aime Barroyer is doing a good job there.
Ocean is superb, worth the trip if you can get a table... Vila Joya - yes, but at lunch time and à la carte for me, otherwise it's a set menu at dinner.
I only went once to Arcadas (or tried to, as we arrived with a confirmed booking to be told they were closed for lunch... and had an uninteresting meal by the pool instead). For some reason I never returned.
In the Algarve, from the trio of 1 stars, I would rank first Willie's and last São Gabriel, but all three have their supporters... and better days than others.
Guincho is steadily good, Yeatman also; Feitoria more imaginative... I have not been to either Amarante or Funchal...

Dec 03, 2012
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Portugal Michelin Stars 2013

José Avilez regains his Michelin Star in his new restaurant Belcanto, and in counterpart, Tavares loses it. makes sense as it was Avilez who obtained it before leaving for greener pastures...
Another noticeable drop is Arcadas in the Quinta das Lagrimas in Coimbra who also loses its star.
The rest is unchanged, with both Vila Joya (Dieter Koschina) and Ocean / Vial Vita (Hans Neuner) retaining their 2 Stars. More surprisingly, all three Algarve restaurants Willie's, Saõ Gabriel and Henrique Leis keep their 1 Star... I would have expected some downgrading.
The others continuing with their Star are: Fortaleza do Guincho (Cascais), Feitoria (Altis Belem, Lisbon), The Yeatman in Gaia (Porto), Casa da Calçada (Amarante), and Il Gallo d'Oro in Funchal.

Nov 26, 2012
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Lisbon food itinerary for comment please

I have not been yet. As mentioned in another post, I was not impressed by the "Cantinho d'Avillez" but If Jose Avillez is at his best in Belcanto, as he seems to be, the cuisine should be superb (as it was when he ran "Tavares"). I read very good reviews, but prices are high. If you go there, please report.

Nov 14, 2012
monchique in Spain/Portugal

Lisbon food itinerary for comment please

Re Sintra: Had a good meal last week in the new restaurant at the Pena Palace.
For tops, look at the Fin's Club at Quinta Magnolia in Cascais: http://www.quinta-magnolia.com/englis... Worth the trip if you have wheels.

Nov 13, 2012
monchique in Spain/Portugal