Lisbon, Portugal

[Braineack]

Portuguese chefs just cannot prepare meat, preparing fish they manage well, but a steak, tournados etc...terrible! We've tried it in at least 10 Lisbon restaurants, all with the same disappointing result so, be prepared.

Don't worry, I'm going to San Sebastian too...

Put the Chiado neighborhood on the list. The Alfama is famous for people who want to hear fado, but it's gotten touristy. Check travel websites for fado places in other areas if that's something you're interested in. If you are interested in sampling different port wines, there is a Solar do Vinho do Porto in the Bairro Alto where you can try a range of different ports by the glass. If it's like the one in Porto, they'll have a few nibbles but a huge port menu. Just a nice way to chill for an hour or two, try a few kinds of port, and move on. Be ready for a lot of hills, and be sure try pasteis de nata (or just 'natas' - you might see them called pasteis de Belem). And don't be too put off - sometimes we're sort of gruff off the bat, not always the effusively friendly sort that most tourists like to see from locals - but once we warm up, we're quite helpful and generous.

Yeah I want to still do a port tasting there... thanks!