So, I should probably have done this trip report earlier when the trip was fresher in my mind, but I didn't have this blog up yet. In September I went on this amazing trip in Portugal. I think Portugal is one amazing country and it seems to be very underrated. It's a very nice city to walk around and to just explore. The many hills, trams and small windy cobblestone roads made for a very cool city to just get lost in.
Since it was by the seaside, I assumed that there seafood would be pretty good. I was not wrong - it was delicious! All the seafood that I had there was so fresh. The clams, shrimp, fish were all spectacular, but far and away my consistent favorite in Portugal was their octopus!
The first restaurant that I realized they were doing something amazing with their octopus was in A Travessa. The octopus was deliciously charred on the edges but it basically melted in your mouth in the middle. I never knew octopus could taste like that. I just assumed that it would taste kinda like calamari, where it is always a little chewy. However, A Travessa, I learnt was a fancier restaurant. They served a bunch of small little appetizers that are supposed to be shared by the table followed up by a main course and a desert. Their presentation seemed to be atypical for Portuguese restaurants, which didn't seem to care too much about presentation, but the food looked delicious and photographed well!
Olive tapenade appetizer.
There deserts weren't bad either!
We went to another more traditional Portuguese restaurant which also turned out to be a big hit, Solar dos Presuntos. During lunch time, this place is packed with regulars, of the business men sort. Tons of people came through here wearing suits and they all seemed to be on very very good terms with the owners. What was interesting to see, was that the owners seemed to be eating lunch at this place as well - which can't be a bad sign! They had a table on the first floor in front of the kitchen where the entire family seemed to be hanging out, through the entirety of the lunch time service. And obviously we went straight for the seafood.
The octopus was amazing. Done differently than the previous restaurant but still so so good.
These garlic prawns were also a big big hit. I was mopping up the olive oil sauce with the bread even after all the prawns were gone.
Finally for the main event, I had their feijoada with seafood. I think feijoada just translates to beans. It was served with rice. I love eating beans and rice, but once they added their seafood with hits of clams and prawns, it became an instant home run for me. A word of warning, though. After frequenting a few restaurants, portion sizes in Portugal are not small at all! Not even on an American standard. Haha, so needless to say, I was stuffing myself every time we got to the main course because it seemed like such a waste to not eat all of this delicious seafood! I'm going to have to learn some serious self control if I ever go back to Portugal.
your photography looks beautiful ... and that octopus looks so crispy and delish!
Posted by: Jenn @ cook or be eaten | November 13, 2009 at 04:26 AM
Thanks! That octopus was delicious. I now compare all future octopuses to that octopus.
Posted by: Meandering Noodle | November 13, 2009 at 04:37 AM
I'm so glad you liked it here!
The octopus really is amazing! Is one of my favorites.
And... to be Portuguese... is all about self control!!!
I hope you can come back!
Posted by: Marina | November 15, 2009 at 10:33 AM