PORTUGAL - LISBON - O SOLAR DOS LEITOES

We went to three restaurants on our short trip to Lisbon to watch the Benfica v Manchester United Champions League match. Two are traditional and one a modern take on Portuguese cuisine. The first was the very traditional

O SOLAR DOS LEITOES

This is a hidden restaurant on the outskirts of Monsanto, where you can enjoy delicious traditional Portuguese cuisine, and where, in Lisbon, some of the best grilled fish is served.

It as been a family business for three generations and is in a remote run down residential area in Buraca, it is not easy to find and definitely off the tourist track. Even the taxi’s with satnav still seem to have a problem finding it!

Do not let this put you off.

You will dropped off at the bottom of a narrow street, where you walk up and the restaurant is at the top on the right.

There is a nice terrace at the entrance and two excellent rooms once inside. A roof has been added to the grill room since our last visit.

The place is now run by chef Pedro, who has taken over the grill from his father who is still in attendance. The fish is always fresh and grilled in his unique way.

You will find cheese, jamon and olives on your table to pick whilst perusing what to eat.

To start try

Lampreia (lamprey, in season in January)

Sardinhas (sardines, in season in summer)

Ovas de pescada (hake roe)

Lulas (baby squid)

Salads with unique seasonings.

Then you need to have some of the best fresh fish (always wild) in Lisbon, not only for the quality of the raw material, but also mostly by the way Chef Pedro Leitão grills it.

Dourada (gilthead bream €47 per kilo)

Linguado (sole €50 per kilo)

Rodovalho (turbot €50 per kilo)

Beef steak and black pig pork loin is also available.The restaurant name means The Manor of Piglets, but that is the family name and not an indication of what is on offer, although saying that the house speciality is suckling pig or suckling kid (lamb), which needs to be ordered in advance.

Most people come for the fish.

For dessert

House rice pudding

Mouse Chocolate (chocolate mousse) (not a rodent!)

Leite cream (cream caramel)