Trindade > Reviews > The good life

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money
Standard of Menu
Atmosphere
Standard of Service

Advantages:	relaxed food the way it ought to be
Disadvantages:	it's too far from London to make it for dinner !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

If you are in downtown Lisbon, around Rossio or Chiado, Just ask any taxi driver for 'Trindade' or make your way to 20-B Rua Nova da Trindade and pay homage at the 'Cervejaria da Trindade'.

No, it's not really a restaurant, I guess, but it doesn't fit any other category. A cerveijaria is an alehouse, but this isn't a pub nor is it a bar in the Portuguese sense. To be technical, I'm told that it's a microbrewery - but I've only ever drunk ice-cold Sagres there. BUT, the one thing for which cerveijarias are famous is good, easy, comfortable FOOD.

So, what's it like? Well, it's old, and big. Imagine a room the size of a barn with Potuguese 'azulejo' tiles decorating the walls. Find one of the many tables and when your attentive waiter comes by, be hopeful that he speaks English .... but if not order 'um imperial' (oonimperiahl), 20 centilitres of cold beer to be going on with.

So, what to eat? Ah, there's the rub! - Do you feel flush? If so try the Marisco (seafood), grilled prawns, fresh crab.... but at a price. If not, try a Bitoque, a small steak with an egg on top in a tasty sauce and served with chips. Or a Bifana, a marinaded pork steak served in a fresh bread roll - one of Lisbon's original fast foods. Or go for my own slice of heaven, Prego no pao (praygo noo pown), a small fied beefsteak served in a fresh bread roll and asking to be topped with some mild Portuguese mustard .... oh, and another imperial!!

When you've eaten your fill, order a bica - the smooth Portuguese expresso - and perhaps an aguardente velho for the road. Relax and take in the atmosphere of old Lisbon and plan your next visit.

Bom apetit!