Portugal-Family Matters

After our honeymoon we decided to take a little trip to Portugal to visit Michael's Family. Our first stop... Alcanede, Santarem a quaint little town not far from Lisbon. There really is nothing better than home cooked portuguese food, however if you do not have family there, then you should visit "O Tempero do Frango". This restaurant is what is called a churrasqueira where they cook meats over an open flame. The chicken here is fresh and delicious. In addition to the main course, most restaurants treat you to Olives, bread, and cheese, before your meal. This alone could be a meal in itself. Also they have a tasty salad called "ensalada mixta". This is a simple salad of romaine, shaved carrots, tomatoes and onions, a little drizzle of olive oil and red wine vinegar. The food of this town isn't meant to impress anyone or meant to make headlines of travelers magazine. It is purely a place for locals to get delicious no fuss, fresh and simple food with their family. A must visit place on your trip to portugal.

If you are planning to visit Lisbon, we have two restaurants you should visit. One is a 28 minute drive along the beautiful coastline to Cascais. It's called "Porto de Santa Maria". They have a fish wrapped in dough and baked until crispy and nicely browned. The server brings the fish to you on a rolling cart and begins to carve into the bread. He pulls apart crusty, tasty pieces of the bread and beneath this bread is the delectable white fish perfectly cooked and seasoned. The pieces of bread are placed on the table for you to devour as you eat your meal. It's truely a unique way to cook fish that we have never seen before. Definately a place to visit.

Secondly, if you feel like having a day on the beach and eating some fresh delicious seafood with an ice cold beer, then this is your place. "Saisa" Located next to Praia de Santo Amaro de Oeiras, overlooking the sea, this restaurant offers a wide variety of fresh fish. Fresh mussles, peel and eat shrimp and these things called Percebes. Also known as "barnacles" But don't let the name fool you. Order them, be open minded and try them. They are incredible!


Lastly, Dessert. The BEST BEST place to get custardy goodness called "pasteis de Nate" is at a cute cafe called "Pasteis de Belem" A pasteis de nata is a an egg tart pastry that comes warm to your table with condiments of powdered sugar and cinnamon. grab an espresso and enjoy as man of these little pastries as you can. At Pasteis de Belem, they bring you these pastries in a sleeve of 5 and believe me.. you will not have left overs. You can walk around the cafe and see where these pastries are made fresh all day long. This cute place is a must see! Do it right. find this place and go!