We finally got a key for our new apartment, but haven’t moved completely because of no internet there yet.
I was waiting for Vodafone at new apartment while he was working at Airbnb. Vodafone was supposed to come and install it between 8:30-11:30 today but somehow they rescheduled for 11:30-2:30 tomorrow.
He joined me there and we went out for lunch at the restaurant we had the first meal a month ago.
They have Menu do Dia for 8.50€. Yay!
Starting with sopa and bebidas.
Mine: Vitela Assada, the server asked me what side I wanted and what I only recognize his saying was “batata frita (frech fries).”
His: Espetadas de carne na brasa
I tried something new, Molotoff (meringue pudding). Very light with 90% of air 🙂
His: Pudding
I tried ‘Carioca,’ secondhand espresso too. It’s good but no crema. It tastes like brewed coffee. Of course, cheio is better.
This place could be our regular but I don’t feel attached as much as calçada 28 yet.
Later the day, we went to power company (EDP) and Water company (EPAL) to change the name on the contracts with our realtor. She has been very helpful.
We walked down the Avenida da Liberdade and had a break for ice cream at the end of avenue.
Her favorite ice cream shop and it’s the oldest in Lisbon
Such a charming place. They close from Christmas season to March because no one wants ice cream in winter.
I had been thinking where to go for my birthday lunch last couple weeks since he asked me. There are so many places I want to try in Lisbon, especially city center, but it seems so overpriced since we found the great deals of lunch special in our neighborhood (more local/residential area). So I concluded that we should go to one of our favorites around here because we are moving to a new apartment next week and it would be less to come around here.
We checked the daily special at the closest restaurant on the middle of hill. If anything had looked good, we would have gone to the other one, but I saw a dish I wanted.
We started with Red wine with bread and olives as usual. So many gentlemen were enjoying their lunch and wine too.
This is my choice, Arroz de Pato.
His: Espetadas Acheira
My duck rice tastes amazing! It reminds me of grandma’s takikomi-gohan, a Japanese mixed rice.
We thought too much food to finish, but we took our time and did! It was so delicious 🙂
Couldn’t finish 0.5L wine tho…
My dessert: Mousse de Manga, his: Doce da Casa
I ordered ‘cafe normal (regular espresso)’. It was stronger but still manageable and good.
Another great lunch experience for 8 euros per person. We still can’t believe how wonderful this deal is!!!
We walked to Saldanha area to pick up an insurance card at the agency.
Checking Mercado de 31 Janeiro
There was a nice pastry shop in the market.
Also a special shop for spices, dry fruits and teas. I would come back here to get some teas.
After a quick stop by the agency, we went to a mall to look for a pair of shoes for him in Saldanha.
We decided to walk 10 minutes to another mall. On the way, there was a menu board for great deal of snacking and drinks.
Since our dinner time is too early to dine out, we try to enjoy lunch at a restaurant every other day or so.
We have a favorite restaurant one minute away from home, but today he picked a new one in the neighborhood.
It seems like just another restaurant.
The restaurant was almost full when we arrived around 12:30pm. A good sign!
We spent some time to figure what to order as usual by googling or translating. They offer a menu do dia, which includes bread, olives, drink, dessert and coffee.
Now I have a strategy. When I don’t know what to order, I would go with one on the top, usually one the restaurant is most confident of. They said it was pork cheek and it sounded good to me.
Although we order a glass wine, they brought more than 500ml wine in a carafe. Very intimidating. Really?
I couldn’t finish my share but a gentleman next to us finish 500ml all by himself. I think he is not special but at Portuguese standard. Btw, olives always taste so good 🙂
Mine: Bochechas de Porco Assadas no Forno, the cheek was very tender and perfect with red wine.
His: Frango de Caril (Chicken Curry)
The lady brought a set of desserts for us to see what is what. How nice!
He chose almond caramel something…I think this is ‘Baba de Camelo’ caramel mousse.
I have another rule. I try ‘Doce da Casa’ whenever available. This was so delicious!
Un cafe cheio to close the meal. An amazing deal for 7.50 euro per person.
Grocery shopping on the way home.
Checking a fish market
Curious about all different seafood, but didn’t buy anything.
A butcher next to it
Very overwhelming
I bought a thin steak beef and cheese (total 3.25 euro). Panados might be a good option next time.
Two more stops to buy some vegetables and pastries. Then I had to stop another to pick up alho (garlic).
Dinner @ 6:30pm: Soup, We didn’t get hungry at all for the big lunch.
MyEverydayEatsInLisbon 