Page 146 - WDT MAGAZINE PORTUGAL

In addition to this neighborhood, our group also
toured Bairro Alto and trendy Cais do Sodré, where
we were treated to good-sized portions of petiscos
including some wonderful soft cheeses and
memorable salt cod fritters. For meat-eaters, there’s
the bifana, a favorite Portuguese sandwich made with
sliced pork or beef - cheap, delicious and filling. For a
perfect ending, we satisfied sweet tooths with a warm
pastel de nata at the city’s new thriving food hall, Time
Our Market. “The best in town,” said Gonzalo. I
agreed.
We also took a surprise trip down memory lane at
one of our last stops on the tour, By The Wine - José
Maria da Fonseca, a beautiful and very busy
restaurant where fashionable Lisbon residents were
sharing bottles at the attractive long bar. In our
private dining area, we too quaffed many bottles,
including an unexpected old friend.
Most of our group were Baby Boomers and some
of our first wine experiences were with two iconic
brands, Mateus and Lancers, in uniquely shaped
bottles recycled into candle holders. Our restaurant
host, José Maria da Fonseca, one of Portugal’s largest
winemakers, are the proud owners of both brands.
We asked for a bottle, remembering the association
with happy times many years ago. Our amused tour
guide acceded to our wishes. No it didn’t measure up
to the many great wines we had tried on this grand
trip -- but it did help transport us giddily down
memory lane. And good times continued to roll.

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