EAT THIS, DRINK THIS, WEAR THIS: PETISCOS PERFECT.
EAT THIS:
Perspective is a beautiful thing. There was a scientific study carried out in Germany that demonstrated how people were willing to pay more for things once they had seen how much love had gone into the craft of production (“The handmade effect: What’s love got to do with it” should you wish to read). I am a firm believer in understanding as much about the story of a product as possible - I want to feel it, understand it, know it and when it comes to food and drink, I want to love it.
So if there is a counter seat available at my next reservation, you will find my name against the reservation notes. The heat of the kitchen, the assembly, the orchestration; they all give you a perspective which will make you appreciate the food immeasurably more than a removed table.
To put it shortly, Lisboeta has counter seating to make you feel infatuated with Portuguese petiscos.
Their understanding of lighter fresher acid based dishes (namely Halibut Cebolada) is refined and elegant, a stunning way to start a meal, but the cooked small plates from their slow braised pork rolls through to their Arroz de Marisco is complex and a wallop in the same swing. I genuinely have not tasted flavours like I tasted from their godly prawn cookery. The tactile moment of squeezing the giant prawn heads into the Arroz is yet another moment of experience involving you further in the affair.
The counter seating evokes a moment of style rather than formal dining, it is by the nature of the teeshirt wearing staff who excel in knowledge, a nonchalant affair.
It is the perfect date spot for a casual lunch to punctuate a romantic walk and a decadent shopping spree. It is also a great place to take a couple of the boys and enjoy some fantastic food with a few crisp beers.
Order this for two:
Vindalho Empada
Halibut Cebolada
Bacalhau à Brás
Arroz de Marisco
DRINK THIS.
Tiny Bubbles, Blanc de Noir Brut 2016 Baga, Bairrada
Sleep easy, they pour bubbles straight into your wine glass, no needly flutes in sight. Each bubble is a compelling argument to divert from Champagne on occasion. Jasmine tea, herbs, brioche, hazelnut. Creamy foam and exceptionally elegant.
Quinta do Olival da Murta, Serra Oca (skin contact) 2020 Arinto, & Fernão Pires - Lisboa
Orange wines (or skin contact wines) divide, but there’s no denying the cider-ey quality has an incredible ability to slice through char and fat. This fresh, tart, floral wine is a fantastic casual sipper to see you through the boldest of dishes.
WEAR THIS.
This is an opportunity to wear something a little more informal allowing you to demonstrate the flip side to your sartorial coin.
A well fitting but relaxed tee and a collegiate baseball cap proves she can indeed get her a man that can do both. Tuck your tee into a high rise pair of grey flannel trousers, and slip on a pair of well worn boots. If the weather is in any danger of backing up a spring claim, Hackett have some incredible safari jackets and field jackets which I recommend purchasing now before they inevitably sell out, but an overcoat for now is absolutely necessary.
Your fragrance is Christian Dior, Eau Sauvage Cologne (not to be confused with Sauvage)
