O Melhor Bolo de Chocolate do Mundo

So I first heard about O Melhor Bolo de Chocolate do Mundo “The best chocolate cake in the world” when I first moved to Campo de Ourique. Apparently, some guy had the audacity to claim that he made the best chocolate cakes on the entire planet! I remember thinking, “this guy is either crazy or the chocolate cake is really good.” Turns out both are true.

I had the opportunity to meet Carlos Brás Lopez, founder of O Melhor Bolo de Chocolate do Mundo and interview him over a cup of coffee and a slice of his famous cake. It turns out that this international brand of chocolate cakes came from very humble beginnings. It’s a real entrepreneur’s dream come true!

Entrance to The Best Chocolate Cake in the World

The original store can be found in Campo de Ourique in Lisboa on Rua Coelho da Rocha 99, right next to the Mercado do Campo de Ourique. The shop entrance is small and unassuming, but don’t be fooled. Come Christmas and Easter time you can find the store by the line around the block.

So one of the first things that intrigued me was of course the name and the logo design. Carlos told me that the name started as a joke. The eponymous chocolate cake started as a dessert at his restaurant. It was a mixture of chocolate mousse and merengue. The critical difference between Carlos’ cake and others was that it contained no flour. This gives the cake it’s distinctive “light, fluffy” texture. So as more and more people started to order the cake Carlos eventually got requests for whole cakes to go. Soon demand for whole cakes started to outstrip supply and Carlos had to expand the business. People would comment that “Oh, the cake is so good,” to which Carlos would reply, “No, it’s the best chocolate cake in the world” and the name stuck. At this point, people had to order the cake 48 hours in advance in order to receive one.

“I have some horror stories about customers wanting the cake and not being able to get one.” Carlos says. “People with birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, baptisms, you name it. They would beg me for a cake but all I could say was ‘sorry, you have to order in advance, today we’re sold out.’”

“Now, I have to stop advance orders for Christmas in October, because there are just too many and we don’t have the space to make more.”

Is it Really the Best?

Next I asked him about the design of the logo. Particularly, why isn’t the woman watching where she’s going while holding that cake?

“It’s a figure used in old times, to see if someone is stealing my other cakes.”

The Writing on the Wall Says So

I asked Carlos what was next for the brand and the best chocolate cake in the world.

“We’re opening in Australia, and expanding in Brazil. We were recently featured in Veja magazine in Brazil.”

With the Founder of O Melhor Bolo de Chocolate do Mundo, Carlos Brás Lopes

So Carlos, what is your strategy for opening a successful cake business for any aspiring confectionary entrepreneurs out there?

“With 50,000 Euros you can start a cake business. You have to have a great recipe too. We use to have cooking lessons here where we made the cake, and then we sold it at the restaurant. I didn’t have a plan, I just answered the phone. The next country that I go in to will be the next country that calls.”

Also check out the O Melhor Livro de Chocolate do Mundo, a recipe book (in Portuguese) with many great chocolate dessert recipes (but the original chocolate cake recipe is a secret!)

O Melhor Livro de Chocolate do Mundo

Outjazz 2013 Principe Real

The Outjazz series has begun and that means one thing: Summer is here in Lisbon and it’s time for fun in the sun! For those of you who don’t know what Outjazz is I shall explain it to you! Lisbon has a lot of fantastic parks and gardens in the city. Perfect places to while away a warm and sunny afternoon during the summer. Someone got the bright idea to use these spaces for live music and get the event sponsored by various Portuguese and international  food, beverage, and entertainment companies. The first Outjazz was wildly successful and it has only grown ever since. How often are there Outjazz events, you might ask? Every Friday and Sunday starting from the first Friday in May to the last Sunday in September. Yep. Awesomeness.

Crowded at the First Outjazz

This first Outjazz event was in Principe Real Park. It seemed like everyone in the city came out for this event. I arrived there right at the start and there were already a lot of people there. I was like, “Portuguese people early for an event? Wha?” This is because people are notoriously late to everything here in Lisbon. This is probably due to the abundance of cafes and the fact that you always run into someone you know in the city. The Outjazz events such as this one are perfect for having a picnic and running into people who end up joining your picnic. That’s why it’s always a good idea to bring an extra blanket and bottle of wine. Or two.

Sunset Picnic at Outjazz in Principe Real

Eventually, the sun went down and the band stopped playing, but many people still lingered well after dark to hang out and chill with friends. It’s during these idyllic summer days that Lisboa transforms herself from a quaint and nostalgic town into the most beautiful city in Europe, and perhaps even the world. It’s the people, the atmosphere, and the outdoor spaces and events. It’s the light. So find your place in the sun and enjoy. Life is for the living!

Outjazz 2013 Lineup

Bar at O Largo’s

Grands Vins des Chateaux, a Portuguese owned winery producing wine from the Bordeaux Region in France, welcomed spring in Lisbon with an exclusive dinner at O Largo’s in Chiado. They invited special guests from Japan and Singapore to attend the event in the award winning restaurant.

O Largo Main Dining Room

The restored cloister-style restaurant is dressed in a beautiful green lettuce colour, with the architectural focus on a huge wall fitted with three stunning aquariums. It boasts an impressive wine cellar and also an intimate mezzanine level where you can dine surrounded by romantic decor.

O Largo Mezzanine

Great food is not complete without great wine. We savoured all of Grands Vins des Chateaux wines, and opened one bottle after another. The favorites were Chateau Le Grand Branda and Chateau Lorient 2011.

GVC Wine Tasting Lisbon 2013 at O Largo’s

GVC Chateau Lorient

GVC Chateau Le Grand Branda

Chateaux Lorient boasts complexity, elegance and strength. Its characteristic Cabernet structure is draped with Merlot’s gentle fleshiness. I think I now prefer multi-varietal blends instead of single varietals, due to the higher complexity of flavor and depth. Also, multi-varietal blends tend to be more well rounded and smooth. It’s also an opportunity for the wine maker to show off his/her palate and skill at blending the different vintages.

This particular bottle managed to capture the berry flavor that I love in Cabernet Sauvignons while also not being too heavy or overpowering. Usually single varietal Cabernet Sauvignons can be so full bodied that they almost leave a film inside your mouth. Not so with Chateau Lorient. The balance of the heavier Cabernet grapes with the more medium bodied Merlot gave this wine a lighter mouth feel without sacrificing depth of flavor or complexity.

The Le Grand Branda is another multi-varietal blend from GVC wines. This time it comes from Bordeaux Rouge. The wine is spicy and has a distinct pepper in the nose. When swirling the wine, one notices a deep ruby and purple tint and evidence of strong tannins. The mouthfeel is sudden and announces the presence of ripe cherries and plums. Medium to full bodied, Le Grand Branda is well suited for flavorful meat dishes, especially lamb and veal. It also pairs well with sharp cheeses and salmon dishes.

Thanks for stopping by to check out our wine tasting event at O Largo’s in downtown Lisbon! As always,

Lisboa Espera Por Ti!

Spooky Church – Igreja do Santo Condestavel

On an eerie night in Lisbon, a full moon rose over the neighborhood of Campo de Ourique, or as I like to call it, Spooky Ourique! Seriously, this place gives me the creepers at night. The almost too quiet streets, the long shadows cast by the tall church spires, and other things I have in store for you.

Spooky Church – Igreja do Santo Condestavel II

I don’t know about you, but for me, churches are spooky places, especially at night. There’s something about all of that massive stone and centuries of unanswered prayers and countless funeral processions that makes any church positively ghastly to anyone with modern sensibilities. Does that make me a Godless heathen? Perhaps in some people’s eyes. However, as an aside, I do know that the Catholic Church, if it wants to get out of this century alive, needs to drastically alter it’s behavior and philosophical Metaparadigm and embrace the teachings of Jesuit priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. His vision of a Teleological and Evolutionary Christianity is far superior from the current Creationist view that gets more and more absurd and untenable as each day passes. But I digress…you guys came here (presumably) to look at some pictures about Lisbon, not to hear me wax philosophical.

Spooky Ourique – Igreja Santo do Condestavel III

After getting sufficiently creeped out by the church I decided to keep strolling. I passed many spooky crumbling buildings with creeping mold and exposed piping. The inside must be a nightmare. Do you think someone still lives there? Well, someone has to take care of those plants.

Ghastly State of Affairs

After walking away from this sketchy area I turned a corner, and, lo’ and behold, a scene straight out of a slaughterhouse!

OMG!

AAHHH DEAD BODIES HANGING IN A…oh wait, it’s just a butcher’s shoppe. After calming down a bit I decided to walk away and briskly, trying to shake the image of my dinner coming back to haunt me from my mind. I heard the distinct sound of a raven’s cackle and shivered. Is it the cool breeze of the night, or something more, sinister? Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me, a strange inkling of a subtle attention, like someone or something watching me. Giving in to the impulse, I turned around to see what was behind me.

Ah it’s following me!!!

The Ghost of Dinner’s Past! Floating in disembodied space! Hungry for vengeance and blood!

I ran, trying to keep my terror in check as I frantically dashed through the deserted streets looking for somewhere safe. Finally, after rounding a corner, I noticed a park. There have to be people there, I thought.

Coming to the park, I was suddenly confronted by another ghost!

She’s gotta gun son!

Oh wait, it’s just a statue. Shaking my head and feeling a bit foolish too, I noticed the familiar sounds of hustle and bustle and the clinking of glasses. I walked over to the noises, and to my relief, found a nice outdoor cafe.

A Nice Outdoor Cafe

And they were still serving beer! I breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe this neighborhood isn’t so spooky after all.

THIS IS F*CKING AWESOME

What’s up everyone! So in case you haven’t heard Thrift Shop by Macklemore, I highly recommend the song, and I suggest that you play it in the background while reading this post. Today we are going to talk about thrift shops in Lisbon and we are going to focus on two stores in particular. As an extra treat I’m also going to show you a store that is taking the analogue camera scene by storm with their “lo-mo” camera made out of a sardine can. Yes, that’s right, a sardine can camera. But first, lets talk about Ás de Espadas – Vintage Store and More. 

As de Espadas Lisbon Thrift Shop and Vintage Store and More

Ás de Espadas is located Rua Luz Soriano 18 in Bairro Alto. This vintage store and thrift shop looks small from the outside but inside it is surprisingly spacious, with many racks of clothes to peruse and vintage decor. They even have a bar in the back and a lounge to hang out in while trying on your vintage clothes. I know trying on clothes and shopping is SUCH an ordeal, I mean, a feat for heroes and champions, for sure, so the good people at Ás de Espadas have the bar ready for you.

Up next, let’s talk about the Lo-Mo camera and why it is awesome.

The Future is Analogue – Rua Assunção 15 – Baixa

First of all, this place in the Baixa has the nerve to call itself the “Embaixada Lomográfica de Lisboa“, or “the Embassy of Lomography of Lisbon”. The last time I checked Lomography wasn’t a country. Anyway, the store is super retro and cool. In a world of high-tech digital cameras and DSLRs with lenses bigger than your arm, seeing a colorful camera made out of a sardine can is both whimsical and a breath of fresh air.

Old Ass Cameras

So I know that this isn’t exactly a “thrift or vintage shop”, but I wanted to include it anyway because I feel it has the same nostalgia for the past and styling. Plus, these cameras are f*cking awesome! 

Lomo Cameras

“How many shots you got in there buddy?”

“36…but I’m bracketing!”

“You’re what?”

“…”

I Want One! The Sardine Can LoMo Camera

So now we come to the big ticket in town when it comes to vintage/thrift clothing shops, A Outra Face da Lua. This place is the go to store for bargain, vintage, and retro clothing and decor in Lisbon. Located right in Baixa-Chiado (close to the Lomo Embassy, actually)

Outra Face da Lua – Rua Assunção 22

This place is quite large on the inside, with a well appointed bar and snack area that seems to have to capacity to host a fairly large lunch crowd. They have sandwiches, snacks, coffees, fresh squeezed OJ, and pastries. And this is a vintage clothing store!

A Outra Face da Lua – Cafe

I’ve recently been looking for some 1920′s and 1930′s gear to go to my Lindy Hop Portugal parties. I think this place and Ás de Espadas are just what I was looking for.

I also wandered around Lisbon checking out other vintage stores, and here are the few remaining random photos, so enjoy.

Some tiny vintage baby shoes:

Tiny Vintage Baby Shoes

In the dressing room:

Hmm. I find your logic circular, ma’am.

So, is it ok in your opinion to tell a woman that her ass looks fat if indeed it does in “those jeans” if she asks you the question, “Does my ass look fat in these jeans?” Put your answer in the comments below!

Thanks for stopping by Expat in Lisbon once again, your source for expatriate advice and photos about Lisbon! Please like, subscribe, and share!

100 Maneiras Nacional

I love good food. My friends and family all know that I love to cook, I love to eat, and I love to take pictures and blog about good food and good restaurants. So I was lucky enough to be invited to a friend of a friend’s going away party: Master Chef Portugal judge and Chef/Owner of 100 Maneiras Restaurants, Ljubomir Stanisic. Apparently Ljubomir is going on another gastronomic journey in a tricked out RV (shown below).

Ljubomir’s story is a long and interesting one. Born in Sarajevo in 1978, he came to Portugal in the late 90′s to become “o cozinheiro Jugoslavo mais Português de sempre.” (the most Portuguese chef from Yugoslavia of all time.) In 2004, he opened his first 100 Maneiras restaurant in Cascais. Today, he has several 100 Maneiras restaurants in Portugal, including three in Lisbon. The 100 Maneiras Nacional that I visited today opened in September 2011, specializing in Portuguese national dishes and has enough space for large gatherings and private parties.

Let’s take a look at the food shall we?

Fresh from the Kitchen at 100 Maneiras Nacional

Fresh from the Kitchen at 100 Maneiras Nacional II

So it was basically a bunch of really delicious finger food and small plates, including fresh made pastries, pies, and sandwiches. Wine, sangria, champagne, and other beverages were flowing freely. I couldn’t resist the delicious temptation and I loaded up a plate.

100 Maneiras Nacional Finger Food

In the shot glass we have a creamy potato soup, next to it a take on a salmon sushi roll/sandwich, and in the back fresh made empadas with a creamy dipping sauce.

Chef Ljubomir Stanisic and I

My friend Miguel was kind enough to offer me a copy of Ljubo’s book, Papa Quilómetros, a gastronomic journey through Portugal and Portuguese cuisine.

Signed Book

The inscription reads, “For Justin, in the expectation of awakening the five senses.”

Well, thanks Ljubo, and have a great journey full of adventure and amazing food! You can follow Ljubo’s progress here at Papakms.

Papa Quilómetros RV

Thanks for visiting Expat in Lisbon and as always,

Lisboa Espera Por Ti.

Pavilion of Portugal – Álvaro Siza Vieira – I

Do you want to see the future of Lisbon? Go to Expo.

On a beautiful Friday I went to take photos of the Pavilion of Portugal designed by Pritzker Prize winner, Álvaro Siza Vieira. The Pritzker Prize is perhaps the most prestigious architecture prize in the world. Siza Vieira was awarded the Prize in 1992.

Pavilion of Portugal – Álvaro Siza Vieira – II

By far my favorite building in Expo is the Pavilion of Portugal. It has such a grand scale and epic design. It boasts the largest suspended concrete ceiling in the world. Everyone said it couldn’t be done, but with the help of Portuguese engineer António Segadães Tavares they managed to build it.

Pavilion of Portugal – Álvaro Siza Vieira – III

Pavilion of Portugal – Álvaro Siza Vieira – IV

Siza Vieira was born in 1933 in a small town north of Porto called Matosinhos. He went to the University of Porto School of Architecture from 1949 through 1955, completing his first built works (four houses in Matosinhos) even before ending his studies in 1954.

Pavilion of Portugal – Álvaro Siza Vieira – V

Pavilion of Portugal – Álvaro Siza Vieira – VI

In addition to teaching architecture at the University of Porto, he has been a visiting professor at Graduate School of Design, Harvard University; the University of Pennsylvania; Los Andes University of Bogota; and the Ecole Polytechnique of Lausanne.

Pavilion of Portugal – Álvaro Siza Vieira – VII

Pavilion of Portugal – Álvaro Siza Vieira – VIII

Siza said, “Every design is a rigorous attempt to capture a concrete moment of a transitory image in all its nuances. The extent to which this transitory quality is captured, is reflected in the designs: the more precise they are, the more vulnerable.”

Pavilion of Portugal – Álvaro Siza Vieira – IX

Pavilion of Portugal – Álvaro Siza Vieira – X

Pavilion of Portugal – Álvaro Siza Vieira – XI

I guess you have to stand under the massive suspended concrete roof to fully appreciate the size and scale of the structure. This is truly a work of art and engineering.

EIN: So, tell us about the name, Grands Vins des Chateaux.

Joaquim: Well, Grands Vins des Chateaux is really a true Portuguese story, believe it or not. The name sounds French, and it is, being from the Bordeaux region. My family, the Licos, always had a passion for winemaking. It goes back to the 16th century when we were already active in the agricultural business in Portugal, and later we expanded our enterprise throughout Europe.

Bordeaux

EIN: So, I understand that you recently opened up a headquarters here in Lisbon. Why Portugal?

Joaquim: In Chiado, every doorstep, whether big or small, has a unique story behind it. And the Grands Vins des Chateaux headquarters, located in the heart of Lisbon, allows us to to really connect with the city. Our French name is synonymous with the best Bordeaux wines pioneered by a Portuguese family.

EIN: Tell me a bit about the history of Grands Vins des Chateaux and your family, the Licos.

The Licos gathering for a family lunch in the 1950s

Joaquim: My ancestors purchased their first property in 1648 in Bordeaux, seeing the potentials of this rich land. They established their vineyards there and produced wine which they sold in bulk, refining their art of winemaking over the course of a century as their business flourished. Here, let me show you something.

EIN: What is it?

Joaquim: This is the original Grands Vins des Chateaux property purchase agreements in 1648.

Grands Vins des Chateaux property purchase agreements in 1648

EIN: Wow, very cool. So this is what a contract looked like in the 17th century?

Joaquim: Yes, exactly, and later, in 1816, we purchased a property with wine cellars – Chateau Fontaubert – where we came up with successful bottling methods. Grands Vins des Chateaux’s production was transformed from bulk production to bottled wine.

EIN: Very interesting, and what bottled wines do you offer today?

Joaquim: Ok, so this is what we have today: Chateau Fontaubert, Chateau du Lucat, Chateau Lorient and Chateau Le Grand Branda – beautiful bottles of Bordeaux red wines produced by a real Portuguese family. You know in French we have this word terroir - which means “sense of place” – but you really have to say it like in French. It’s more than that actually, its a whole climate, a region, and everything there in the environment that affects the grapes. We love our land and it continues to produce amazing wines for us.

GVC Brands

EIN: So, tell me about the logo you guys chose. How is it representative of Grands Vins des Chateaux and your winemaking history?

Joaquim: Well we chose the image of a lion with two keys as our symbol and this is for many reasons. The lion is our guardian of our winemaking tradition. We have many winemaking secrets and processes and the lion is there to protect them, holding the keys to the archive of knowledge that my family, the Licos, have passed down from generation to generation.

EIN: I really like the logo, I think it’s very eye catching and conveys a sense of tradition. Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Joaquim: Yes, I think you might find this interesting. I recently found this old photo of my grandfather, Mr. José Lico, meeting the King of Thailand in 1960 on Avenida Duque d’Avila in Lisbon.

Mr. José Lico meeting the King of Thailand in 1960

EIN: So, if someone wanted to get more information about your wines, where should they go?

Joaquim: Well, you could visit our website at www.gvcwines.com or contact us directly at our contact page, or you could give us a call at +351 21 347 24 35.

EIN: Well Joaquim, thanks for your time and sharing your story with me.

Joaquim: Thank you.

Raw Seasoned Quail

Have you ever eaten Quail before? Chances are if you aren’t a foodie or food critic of sorts then this bird probably hasn’t been on the menu. I’d never tasted quail before coming to Portugal. Well, there’s another reason to travel: you get to try new food!

I’m sure you are probably wondering, “What does quail taste like?” And I’m going to tell you that quail tastes like chicken. Disappointed? Don’t be. It tastes like chicken but it doesn’t taste exactly like chicken, and that’s the whole point. Quail is, how do I say, “gamey-er” than chicken. The meat is a bit chewier because quails get more exercise than chickens that spend all day sitting around in a koop, unless you buy freerange. To make quail Portuguese style you just add some traditional seasonings. And perhaps play some Fado in the background.

Ingredients: 

2 Quail, chopped in half.

Minced garlic to taste.

Fleur de Sel (or sea salt) and black pepper to taste.

Vegetable oil (enough to cover the bottom of the pan)

1 tsbp of butter

1/2 cup of white wine.

Bayleaf.

Method:

Have your butcher chop the quails in half along the spine, or do it yourself. Season the quail with Fleur de Sel from Portugal or regular old sea salt. Add freshly cracked black pepper. Add as much minced garlic as you like. I like my quail really garlicky, but it’s up to you. Finally, set aside some Louro (bayleaf) and get your pan ready.

Pan for Cooking Portuguese Style Quail

Since you are going to be cooking your quail at high temperature use vegetable oil that will withstand high temperatures like canola oil. Olive oil burns at the high temperature you need so don’t use it. Turn the temperature up to high, and once the oil gets hot, add the quail skin side down.

Cooking Quail Portuguese Style

Be careful of the splashing hot oil! Cook for 4 minutes, turning the heat down to medium-high after two minutes. Once time is up use some tongs to flip over the quail. Add some butter (about a tbsp) and a 1/2 cup of white wine. Cover it with another pan to form a bit of a “wine steamer” as I like to call it and cook for another 4-5 minutes, turning the heat down to medium.

Portuguese Style Quail – Nice and Browned

If you do it right the skin will be nice and crispy brown and the meat inside cooked through but still tender and moist. Quail can be a bit tricky to pull off, but it’s always better to err on the side of overcooking than undercooking when you are dealing with poultry. Poke the quail with a toothpick and see if the juices run clear. If so, then it should be ready. If not, give it another minute or two on medium heat.

Presentation is NOT my Forte

After that slap it on a plate, let it rest for a minute, and serve. By now, your house should smell like slightly charred garlic and quail fat, which let me tell you, smells amazing. This is a good dish to accompany my Portuguese Style Shrimp recipe posted earlier.

Well I hope that this post will inspire you to try some quail, and perhaps you’ll even be so inspired as to come and visit Lisbon one day. I hope so! Thanks again for visiting my blog and as always,

Lisboa Espera Por Ti

Jardim do Principe Real

Welcome apartment hunters and potential Expats to my second installment of Choosing an Apartment in Lisbon guide! This week we are going to cover two new areas: Principe Real and Alfama. These two places could not be more different and I think that is one of the great things about Lisbon. Even though it is a small city (compared to São Paulo) you still have lots of different areas and neighborhoods. If my last post in this series didn’t help you so much because you weren’t interested in the craziness of Bairro Alto or the multicultural feel of Almirante Reis, hopefully you can find something of value in this post about Principe Real and Alfama.

Let’s start with Principe Real.

This is one of the nicer parts of town. The buildings are more likely to be renovated and somewhat modern on the inside. You can see lots of buildings with Portuguese Azulejos on the outside and that gives the place a really nice aesthetic. Principe Real is the de facto gay district in Lisbon. It is right next to Bairro Alto so you can walk to and from the bars and clubs.

Price: For a single room between 350 to 450 euros all inclusive. For a T2 anywhere between 700-1000 euros per month depending on size and renovation and location.

Pros: Excellent location. Walking distance to the downtown and Bairro Alto. Lots of high end clothing boutiques and cafes. Well serviced with grocery stores and public transports in the area. The Jardim do Principe Real has one of the nicest outdoor restaurants and cafes in the city. There’s also a sense of “up-and-coming-ness” to Principe Real. You feel like the yuppies are just about to arrive with their yoga studios and health food store franchises. Principe Real sits on the top of one of the highest hills in Lisbon so you get lots of light, and if you can get an apartment that faces South you will get amazing sunlight all year long.

Principe Real Side Street

Yes, that does look like an epic hill to bomb on a skateboard, I admit. But what about walking and carrying two bags of groceries?

Cons: It’s expensive for what it is. If you want to live in a nice renovated place it will cost you towards the upper end of the price quotes above. A former roommate of mine moved into a tiny T1 apartment in a crumbling building in Principe Real that cost more than 500 Euros a month total with no Internet and no washing machine. Parking is moderately difficult. If you live on one of the side streets off of Rua Escola Politechnica you will face a steep climb everyday. In fact, the area is one of the hilliest in Lisbon. Expect to get a leg workout living here. If you live near the gay clubs and bars you will have noise during the night. Also many people throw house parties in Principe Real so if there’s one in your not-so-renovated-building you will have noise.

Principe Real Side Street II

X Factor: There’s something in the air when you walk through Principe Real. You can feel it. It’s the smell of progress.

Principe Real – Close to Bairro Alto

Now let’s talk about Alfama! What can I say about this old part of town, the only part of the downtown area that survived the epic earthquake in the mid 18th century? It’s quaint, it’s adorable, it’s a wreck, and it’s a community built on tightly wound streets and drying laundry hanging overhead. If you want to see Lisbon as it was two centuries ago, go to Alfama. This is quintessential Lisbon by night.

Alfama at Night

I interviewed a buddy of mine for this post and he agreed to give his advice on the pros and cons of living in Alfama. He lived there for over a year and without further ado enter Grant:

“My rent for a rather small T2, furnished, about 60 square meters, was like 565 Euros per month, not including utilities, so like around 600 Euros per month total, but my place was recently renovated and had a nice view of the river Tejo.”

“The advantages of living in Alfama have to be, no cars, no noise, but you do hear soft Fado Music floating through the air, but that’s not really a bad thing. You have a good community feel. It’s like living in a village in the middle of a big city. The location is good. Bairro Alto is like 15-20 minutes by walking, Graça is like 5-10 minutes. Public transports are fairly decent, you have Santa Appolonia (Blue Metro Line) about a 10 minute walk. The bars are really cheap here too.”

I agree with what Grant says here, especially the part about living in a village in the middle of the city. You definitely get the feeling that you have gone back in time when you wander through the streets of Alfama.

“The negatives about Alfama I would say are that it is such a tight knit community here so if you aren’t Portuguese or at least speak the language really well you do feel kind of alienated. You can’t have a car because the streets are too narrow. There’s dog poop everywhere. It’s oldest part of town so generally the buildings are in really bad shape. There’s lots of old folks around so you can’t have house parties or anything without angering your neighbors. If you rely on trams to get around you will always be late because the trams are always late. When I first moved here I thought I would be going to see a lot of Fado shows but mostly the Fado houses in Alfama cater to tourists and you need to pay for dinner first so it can get fairly expensive. Oh yeah, and the creeping mold in the houses everywhere.”

So Grant, what’s your best and worst experiences living in Alfama?

“Well the worst would have to be when I saw two pitbulls attacking an old lady and no one was doing anything about it, so I tried to help but everyone else was just standing there watching. There are a lot of stray dogs in Alfama. My best experience was during St. Antonio holiday where I was right in the center of all the celebration. But this can be bad too because I really didn’t get a good night’s sleep for that whole week.”

Any X-Factor for living in Alfama?

“If you get the right place with a view, it’s very picturesque, overlooking the Tejo. It’s like living in a fairy tale.”

Alfama at Night IV

Well that’s it for this installment. If you have any requests for other different parts of the city for me to do a guide on, put them in the comments below! Thanks again for visiting Expat in Lisbon, and as always,

Lisboa Espera Por Ti

In this series of posts we will be detailing the pros and cons of major parts of Lisbon and submitting (in our humble opinions) our ideas for who would most feel comfortable and thrive in each part of this diverse and magical city. In this particular post we will cover perhaps the two most popular and more likely places where expats will find their first apartment: Bairro Alto and the Av. Almirante Reis area. Let’s get started!

Bairro Alto

In a nutshell: boutiques and drying laundry by day, wild partying in the streets by night. When I came to Lisbon I went to Bairro Alto for the first time I noticed that people were drinking OUTSIDE of bars, with alcohol in their hands, in open containers. I was like, “these people can’t do that! Can they? CAN THEY!?” My friend (a Portuguese) smiled and nodded. “Yes they can, it’s legal here, to drink outside. What it’s not like that in America?”

Pois Não, bro.

There are basically only two types of people who choose to live in Bairro Alto: super old people who have lived there since (and before) the Salazar era, or Erasmus students. Bairro Alto is the nightlife center of the city. Here you can find a perpendicular grid full of watering holes, Fado houses, expensive seafood restaurants, tattoo parlors, 750ml caipirinha dealers (for 7 euros!), live music places, and the coolest bar of them all, Associação Loucos & Sonhadores (Association for Crazies and Dreamers, the only bar I’ve found that gives out free popcorn! Yuss!!!!).

A friend of mine once visited Lisbon and booked a room on Airbnb on Rua da Atalaia in Bairro Alto, or in other words, the busiest party street in all of Lisbon! She had no idea what she was getting into. Suffice it to say that she didn’t get a single good night’s sleep during her entire stay. The apartment was fairly modern with new double windows, the kind that are supposed to keep the noise out. We closed them and we still could hear a dull roar from the revelers just 15 feet away. It was like being inside an airplane taking off.

Having said that, Bairro Alto is pretty much right smack dab in the center of all the action in Lisbon and you are within walking distance from most of the points of interest in the downtown, and you are next to one of the best Miradouros in the whole city, Miradouro de São Pedro da Alcantara. Here’s a breakdown of the cost, pros, and cons for living in Bairro Alto:

Rental Price Range: For a single room, 250 to 400 Euros per month including utilities depending on how well the place is renovated. You might even be able to get an entire apartment to yourself for around 400 Euros per month here.

Pros

Party central, walking distance to the downtown, many restaurants and boutiques, real “typical” Lisbon atmosphere, lots of young people, travelers, Erasmus students, and foreigners, being in the beating heart of the nightlife, always meeting new people, something interesting always going on, seeing crazy and unbelievable things everyday, during the day you have art galeries and boutiques to keep you busy, cheap drinks and fast company by night.

Cons

Noise, noise, NOISE! Imagine coming home from a long day at work and having to wade through the sea of humanity in the photo above. Constant smell of urine from drunk revelers pissing on your front door step, trash everywhere at night, no major grocery stores in close proximity, its at the top of a hill so going home involves walking uphill, potentially with two bags of groceries, you’ll probably need to sleep with earplugs every night, the buildings are old and probably have insect and rodent infestation problems, unless you find a place that is renovated, and probably the worst thing is the sense that you are throwing your life away on meaningless partying and drinking every night because you live INSIDE party central. But again, if you are an Erasmus student then you probably only came to Lisbon for the sunshine and partying anyway so go ahead and live on Rua da Atalaia.

A bit of psychology:

Based on my research and the experiences that I’ve had and things that I’ve seen, I’ve found that extroverted types would likely thrive in Bairro Alto. Introverts will find it extremely difficult to manage with all the people constantly milling about. Sensing types will love all the stimulation for all five senses 24/7. Intuitives and Thinkers, people who need some peace and quiet, need not apply. Therefore, the Jungian psychological types that would most likely thrive living in Bairro Alto are ESFJ and ESFP people. If you don’t know what the hell I’m talking about I suggest you take this test to determine your Myers-Briggs Personality Type.

In a nutshell, If you’re not a super old person who is mostly deaf at this point or an Erasmus student, or an ESFJ or an ESFP then you probably want to live elsewhere, perhaps, the Av. Almirante Reis area?

Av. Almirante Reis

This area is multicultural with heavy Asian and North African influences. Very Bohemian with vintage clothing stores, world markets selling imported spices and lychees, very gritty with a bit of prostitution and drug dealing on the corner, very convenient with grocery stores in walking distance and the Metro (green line), and far enough away from the center to be quiet at night so you can get a good night’s sleep when you want it. A taxi ride to and from the nightlife areas will be less than 5 euros. If you live closer to Martim Moniz you can walk. If you live closer to Alameda you probably want to take a cab.

This area that I will cover consists of 5 metro stops on the green line: Martim Moniz, Intendente, Anjos, Arroios, and Alameda. Martim Moniz is the closest to the center and Alameda is the farthest. Martim Moniz and Intendente are the sketchiest places to live with the most drug dealing/crime/prostitution going on, Anjos is a little bit better, and by the time you get to Arroios and Alameda you’re pretty clean.

Martim Moniz is the de facto China Town of Lisbon. Intendente is pretty much North Morocco. Anjos is an interesting mix of yuppies, university students, and old people who let their dogs crap on the street. Arroios is wannabe yuppie with convenience and Alameda is renovated rich college kids spending their parents cash. Alameda and Arroios have the added advantage of being close to Saldanha on the yellow line where all the cinemas and language schools are.

Rental Price Range: For a single room plus utilities you can expect to pay 250 Euros on the low end to 350 Euros at the high end per month. Entire apartments could cost between of 500-700 Euros.

Pros: A very diverse area with lots of convenience in the form of normal grocery stores and smaller mom & pop style grocers, liquor stores, and ethnic stores. Very well serviced by public transport and you have the Metro right there (green line) and the Tram 28 has stops near Anjos, Intendente, and Martim Moniz. The buildings are in better shape than average here in Lisbon but you can still expect to find bugs in your kitchen in most places here. You can find a lot of rooms here in this area that cater to Erasmus students and young people.

This area is also very easy to get to if you have a car and or a lot of stuff to move. Personally, I think that moving to a new apartment is one of the hardest things in life. To make it easier I usually get a friend with a huge car to help me, but if you are new to the city you might need another option.

Cons: A high rate of crime including thefts, drug dealing, and prostitution, particularly closer to Intendente and Martim Moniz. Lack of parking. Due to its proximity to a major avenue in Lisbon air pollution is a problem and the street can be quite noisy even at night. Dog poop is everywhere on the streets. It kind of reminds me of when I was trying to find an Istanbul property in the lower end price range.

A bit of psychology: The Almirante Reis area is an interesting blend of extroverts and introverts due to the fact that it’s close enough to the downtown for the extroverts to feel at the pulse of it all but far enough away so the introverts can have some peace and quiet and read a book. However if I had to say which type this place favors I would still say the extroverts will feel more comfortable here than introverts. This is especially true if you choose to stay in an apartment where the landlord rents out rooms for Erasmus students or if you live in a building with a landlord that rents out rooms to Erasmus students. Due to the ethnic diversity of the area I feel that all psychological types would be able to be relatively comfortable here in this area, with the extroverts closer to the city center and the introverts farther away.

So, which area will you choose? Are you interested in reading about another area in Lisbon to live? Perhaps, Principe Real, Alfama, or Cais do Sodré? Put your request in the comments and stay tuned for the next installment of this series.

And as always,

Lisboa Espera Por Ti. 

Your “Meez” For The Portuguese Style Shrimp

Welcome back to Expat in Lisbon! Thanks again for checking out the blog and to show you how much I love having you guys over, I’m making Portuguese Style Shrimps for you today! I will break down this recipe step by step with pictures so you know exactly how to recreate this delicious appetizer that is just bursting with Mediterranean flavors. This recipe is really easy and once you get the hang of it you can bang it out in less than 10 minutes. Seriously! If you have a tablet you can bring it with you right into the kitchen! Let’s get started.

First, you want to get your “meez” together. That’s kitchen lingo for “all the stuff you need for making the dish, organized, and in one place.” How all of that got condensed into “meez” I have no idea.

Your Meez for Portuguese Style Shrimp (serves 2-4)

Ingredients

9-16 raw shrimp with head still on. (3 to 4 shrimp per person, add more if you have to, but then that means you need a large enough pan so that all the shrimps touch the bottom hot surface of the pan)

3 teeth (cloves) of garlic, minced

1 bay leaf

1 tbsp of butter

3 tbsp of olive oil

1/2 lemon juice

Fleur de Sel from Portugal, or regular fine sea salt

Fresh cracked black pepper

1/2 cup of dry white wine (I prefer Vinho Verde, but a Pino Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc will do)

Crusty Portuguese bread (not pictured). 

Tools:

Kitchen scissors, tongs, chef’s knife, large skillet or fry pan, stopwatch (optional)

Method:

For prepwork, you have to rinse and butterfly the shrimp. That means you have to take the kitchen scissors and cut down the spine of the shell on the shrimp, but leave the shell on. DO NOT remove the head. Also remove any long feelers that are still attached to the shrimp. Then you take your chef knife and slice a little bit down the spine of the shrimp, but not all the way through. This is so the sauce can contact the flesh of the shrimp and flavor it more. Then set aside. Next…

Step 1 – Portuguese Style Shrimp

Add the olive oil, garlic, butter, bay leaf, and black pepper to the pan. Turn on high heat.

Step 2 – Portuguese Style Shrimp

Once the pan looks like this add your shrimp. Make sure that each shrimp has it’s own space on the pan and that each one is in contact with the bottom of the pan and the sauce. Once the shrimps are in the pan take your 1/2 lemon and squeeze it over the shrimps.

Step 3 – Portuguese Style Shrimp

Now, wait 5 seconds, and then add your 1/2 cup of white wine

Take a large 3-finger pinch of sea salt and sprinkle it into the pan at a height for even distribution. 

Step 4 – Portuguese Style Shrimp

Now count to 45, or use a kitchen timer or a stopwatch. Once 45 seconds are up use the tongs to flip them. Cook some more for another 45 seconds, turning down the heat to medium. Once the time is up turn off the stove and transfer to a pasta bowl or deep plate and serve immediately, with crusty Portuguese bread for sopping up the sauce. Enjoy!

Step 5 – Eat! – Portuguese Style Shrimp

Well! I told you guys that it was a quick and simple recipe. When I’m putting together dinners this is usually the last dish that I cook, and the first that I recommend that people dig into! Eat ‘em while their hot! The sauce is seriously delicious as well with bread!

Thanks again for stopping by Expat in Lisbon and let me know the results and reviews of the recipe when you make it! As always,

Lisboa Espera Por Ti.

Your New Home in Portugal

Welcome back to Expat in Lisbon. Today we have for you a very special post for those potential expats who are looking to trade their current locale for the sunny Mediterranean climate of Portugal. Want 300 days of sunshine per year or more? Check. Want great food, world class wine, and lots of history? Check. What about watersports, golf, and endless kilometers of white sand beaches? Double check.

Arrabida Beach

Moving to a new country can seem like and incredibly daunting and life changing task, and in some cases, it is. But there are folks out there that can make your life much easier and guide you every step of the way. Our good friends at Armishaws Removals are experts in Portugal removals, and if you prefer the snow to sunshine, Germany removals, as well as removals to the rest of Europe. You can visit them via the links above for a free quote today. They were kind enough to compile a list of the Top 10 Tips potential expats need to know before taking the plunge:

Top 10 Tips For Moving to Portugal

Moving abroad and becoming an expat in a foreign country is a choice made by thousands of
individuals, couples and families every year. Some of those decide to make the leap to Portugal,
where the sun (almost) always shines! We have produced these top ten tips for someone looking to
move to Portugal from abroad.

1. Many motorways in Portugal have tolls. Some have tollbooths, but others only have an
electronic system for paying, which is operated by Via Verde Portugal. Toll machines can be
hired or bought in special Via Verde shops or at Portuguese post offices. If you end up on a
Via Verde without a toll machine, you will need to pay the toll within 48 hours or you will
earn a fine on top of the toll fee.

2. Attending school is compulsory in Portugal from the ages of six to fifteen and is called Ensino
Básico (basic education). Education can either be state or private. Despite education being
free in the state system, you will be expected to purchase books and other equipment.

3. Before the age of six, your child can attend a pre-school (kindergarten) if you so wish. There
are a variety of types of pre-school, including state, private, charitable and cooperatives.
Registration occurs during June and July. Requirements are typically a medical check, birth
certificate, health card showing vaccinations and an inscription form.

4. There are also private schools teaching the Portuguese national curriculum and others
that teach an international curriculum in various foreign languages. However, very few of
these schools will go up to the secondary level. The schools should be registered with the
Portuguese Ministry of Education. Note that an international curriculum is not automatically
accepted by the Portuguese education system and so this should be considered when you
are selecting a school and curriculum.

5. Once living in Portugal, you can apply for a Cartão de Utente (health card). This card gives
foreign residents the same rights to treatment as Portuguese citizens and depending on
circumstances, discounts on medicines. If you do not have this card and are permanently
resident in Portugal, you will need to have private medical insurance.

6. Farmácias (chemists/pharmacies) are open in every town during normal shopping hours, which are
typically 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. and 3 P.M. to 7 P.M. Outside of these hours there is a Farmácia de
Serviço (duty chemist) available. Every chemist should have a list of the duty chemists in the
area on its door. A chemist can also usually offer advice when you are unable to get to your
health centre or family doctor.

7. As with all big decisions in life, research is the key and one must always remember that living
somewhere is completely different to holidaying there.

8. Relocating on a permanent basis to another country, especially one which has a different
language and culture, needs thorough planning. If you have children and need to work, this
is even more crucial.

9. Initial Residency Certificate: After three months, and within 30 days, you must apply for an
initial residency certificate at your local Câmara Municipal (council) or Freguesia (parish
council).

10. The documents that may be required are a passport or national ID card, your Portuguese
fiscal number, which is obtained from the local Serviço das Finanças (tax office), a European
health card, proof of address and income (or you may simply be required to make a self-declaration regarding whether you are employed, self-employed or have other means to live), and proof of health insurance if you are not entitled to the Portuguese health system.

Sometimes other details regarding your education and family are required.

Well, I believe that as a starting point those tips are a great place to begin your research. For more info also visit my section on Expat Resources.

Thanks for visiting, and as always,

Lisboa Espera Por Ti

Mercado do Campo do Ourique

Welcome back friends and family to Expat in Lisbon! Today, I’m going to give you a bit of a Portuguese lesson while showing you the Mercado do Campo do Ourique. It’s one of the oldest markets in Lisbon and started in 1934, remodeled in 1991. It’s open every morning Monday-Saturday and closes around 2PM, but really, most of the good stuff is gone by noon. In the photo above, I managed to take the photo so it looks like the cathedral in the background is attached to the market, but it’s not really like that in real life. Check at the bottom of the post for the map and location.

So, Portuguese lesson you say? Well in this post I’m going to show you a lot of different kinds of delicious edible ingredients (some of them you have to cook before eating) and give you the Portuguese word for them and then the English translation.

Inside the Campo do Ourique Market

So the Portuguese word for “market” is “mercado”. This is the Mercado do Campo do Ourique, literally, “The market of the Ourique countryside”. Guess what “campo” means? The market has what you’d expect, a fruit place, a vegetable place, a butcher, etc., and some things you wouldn’t expect that are native to Portugal. One of those being a store that specializes in salted codfish, or bacalhau.

Ciao Ciao Bacalhau

In order to say “bacalhau” correctly, on the last syllable “lhau” you have to say it as if your tongue is “sticky” and has a hard time coming off the top of your hard palate. This gives a drawling sound to the last syllable. It sounds like “BA-KA-L(sticky)-YOW”. Try it.

Bacalhau Close Up

That’s some salty, flaky goodness! This salted cod has to soak in water for at least overnight in order to be usable. This method of preserving fish was used back in the day when sailors had no other way to preserve fish on long journeys without refrigeration.

Fishmonger

Now for the fishmonger! I know for a fact that that was the first time the word “fishmonger” has been used on this blog. Milestone! We get some pretty good seafood here in Portugal. Perhaps some of the best. Japan may be better, but for Western Europe I think Portugal is number 1 in seafood, both quality wise and price wise.

Raw Shrimps Are So Hard to Find in Lisbon

Guess what the Portuguese word is for “shrimp”! Hint: It costs 12.50 euros per kg. That’s right, it’s “camarão”. You have to say the last syllable with a trip-thong, or a vowel sound that has three different vowel sounds in it. The last syllable and basically any Portuguese word that ends in a “-ão” sounds like a whiny “ow!” sound like when Homer Simpson gets hurt.

So it is really hard to find raw shrimp for some reason here in Lisbon at any grocery store. Apparently it is not as popular as in the states, where it is pretty easy to find raw shrimp at the grocery store. I saw them here at the market and I was like “SCORE!”. I bought about 16 of them and cooked them that night. Recipe and pics in a future post!

Octopus

Octopus in Portuguese is “Polvo”, and I’ve learned a secret while I’ve been here about how to cook it so it isn’t tough and rubbery. You have to freeze it after you buy it and then let it defrost in the sink. The process of freezing it and then defrosting it breaks down all the cells in the octopus making it super soft when you cook it.

Sting Ray – Any Idea How to Cook It?

This one I didn’t know before going to the market. “Raia” is “Stingray” in Portuguese. But remember to pronounce the “R” like an “H”.

Tuna

“Atum” in Portuguese is “tuna” in English.

Why Hello There! Swordfish

“Espada” in Portuguese is “Swordfish” in English. Literally it means “sword” but if you are referring to a fish the fishmonger will understand that you want a swordfish and not a sword.

Frutas Aurora

Wow. Many fruits (frutas) here and that means a lot of new vocab! For the sake of space I won’t put all of them but if you want to know what a specific fruit name is in Portuguese you can ask in the comments.

Chutney!

I’ve become a fan of chutney ever since I got here. I guess the difference beween chutney and jam is that chutney sounds cooler than jam. Also, it’s a bit thicker and more expensive than jam.

Chicken Feet!

So for Thanksgiving in Portugal I decided to bake an entire chicken in the oven with a bunch of veggies. That included the chicken feet. I politely asked my dinner companions if they wanted a chicken foot before I ate one. They all kind of looked at me like, “huh!?” They couldn’t believe that I would eat that. I explained to them that they were delicious and considered a delicacy in Asia and that people usually fight over them at the dinner table. I also mentioned that they are high in collagen, a great supplement for healthy skin. These explanations did nothing to persuade them of the deliciousness of chicken feet so they let me have both.

Sundries

Here we have a dates, figs dipped in honey, dried plums, and dried figs. Guess which ones are which and put your answers in the comments!

Pies and Sausages

Tartes and Chouriços

Cheese

Guess what queijo in Portuguese is in English! I wonder…

Pasteis de Bacalhau

Well looking at all that food has made me quite hungry. I will leave you with a shot of delicious pasteis de bacalhau, or Codfish Pastries. Seriously way too delicious. These are worth the plane ride alone. Thanks for stopping by Expat in Lisbon and as always,

Lisboa Espera Por Ti

Lindy Hoppers On Show

Bom Ano! Or in English, Happy New Year! Welcome back to Expat in Lisbon and in this post I’m going to share with you the New Year’s Eve 2013 festivities. In Portuguese we call it “A Festa da Passagem do Ano”. This new year’s we decided to kick it back to the 1920′s aka the Roaring Twenties at Clube Ferroviario. The night was full of swing dancing, Charleston, and of course, The Lisbon Underground Burlesque! I know you really came here to see some almost naked ladies, but you’ll have to wait until the end of the post for that!

Club Ferroviario was kind enough to offer the Lindy Hoppers special perks including dinner and entrance in exchange for providing a bit of entertainment for the other guests. I dare say we delivered! Cue the band and the Lindy Hoppers!

Play Them Swingtime Tunes

You guys are such show offs! Just you wait until I graduate out of Level 1.

Club Ferroviario is a pretty cool place to have a party. It’s quite large inside and it isn’t only a club. Apparently they also have yoga classes, dance classes, and other community events. The space is pretty unique with a large dining room, several different bar areas, and a rooftop terrace. My only gripe is the lack of parking, which seems to be a major problem in Lisbon. Perhaps Parking4Less could come to Lisbon and relieve some of the downtown congestion? Here are some shots of the interior of Club Ferroviario.

Entrance Stair – Club Ferroviario

Clube Ferroviario – Interior

Clube Ferroviario – Dining Room

On the New Year’s Eve Menu: Portuguese bread, pasteis de bacalhau (deep fried codfish pastries), empadas da galinha (chicken in puff pastry), arroz pato (duck rice), and delicias do mar (seafood stew).  We were all kind of standing around eyeing the food, wondering who was going to be the “Pessoa da Vergonha” (Person of Shame) or the first person to start attacking the spread. It’s a bit of a misnomer, “porque é obvio que a pessoa da vergonha não tem vergonha!”. Once that person stepped forward and took that first auspicious bite (it wasn’t me!), the feeding frenzy commenced. Give her a prize. I pretty much tucked into the pasteis de bacalhau and empadas da galinha right away because I knew those were going to be the first to go down. About twenty minutes into the foray my buddy and fellow Lindy Hopper Miguel said he was going to get another empada. I just shook my head. “They’re all gone bro, they’re all gone.”

After dinner we danced some more and drank some more as the clock ticked closer and closer to midnight and 2013. We all headed upstairs to ring in the new year. Friends? Check. Raisins? Check. Champagne? Check. Lets pop the cork!

Try Not To Kill Someone With That Paulo

Happy New Year! Drink some champagne, eat 12 raisins, and make 12 wishes. What did I wish for? I spent all 12 wishes on the same thing. Can you guess what it was? Put your guess in the comments below!

The Lisbon Underground Burlesque

So now it’s time for what you’ve all been waiting for, the Lisbon Underground Burlesque! Started in 2012 by Lady Myosotis, they do burlesque, jazz dance, cabaret, comedy, and strutting around half naked on stage! My favorite is Daisy Rock (on the right). She is like a younger and cuter Penelope Cruz. *Sigh*

Without further ado I present to you the Lisbon Underground Burlesque. I hope you have a wonderful new year and for all of us at Expat in Lisbon and Lindy Hoppers Portugal we wish you a very Bom Ano.

Daisy Rock!

Thanks for visiting Expat in Lisbon and I hope to see you again soon! As always,

Lisboa Espera Por Ti.

The Lindy Hoppers