Dinners in Old Town | Lagos

I posted a brief intro to Lagos and all the photos of Praia Dona Ana - but let's get into it, shall we? Our Airbnb was in a massive condo complex called IberLagos. As I mentioned, the proximity to the beach and the dueling pools were A+. There was plenty of parking and an elevator. It was a pleasant and quick walk to downtown restaurants. A bottle of white wine greeted us at check in. All great things! 

The pictures on Airbnb are super polished and while we did love it, and it was reasonably priced, it's not high end. The beds were sparse and not the comfiest. No vacation shattering issues, I guess I'm just trying to say the interior pictures on Airbnb sort of exceeded the real life feel. We loved the patio. There was a container of beach toys and an umbrella. It did feel like and ideal place for a family with small kids!

Camden loves to unpack and organize. Ryder is Livin' the Dream for sure. 

Grocery shopping at Lidl was our first real food shopping of the trip for breakfast and essentials. (Snacks. Super Bock). Groceries are inexpensive here. Generally Portugal is not an expensive place to travel, which is nice and a feels like a European travel secret that should be kept under the radar. 

Our dinners in Lagos were great. 

Our overall favorite experience was at: Arribale. off the main drag, somewhat hidden behind the old sea wall, seated in an azulejo tile both, VINHO VERDE always, the flaming sausage, the whole roasted fish, everything cooked on the chargrill, a true salt of the earth Lagosian waiter, and the bottle of Calem Tawny Port our he left on our table to drink to our hearts content during dessert. 

Another fun meal was at Imperio Do Mar.

On a very happening, boisterous, main street in the old town, we feasted here on the delicacy known as Percebes. Which are Barnacles. 

We are adventurous and discovering new foods. inquire within. 

One day it was not beach weather so we walked the sprawling pier and brunched.

An Aperol Spritz and an omlette with french fries and salad hit the spot. 

Nobody:

Me: obsessed with Aperol circa 2011 before the last Gen Zer was even born. 

We ate at Sal and Companhia on our last night. I'm starting to feel like a Lagos regular and settle into a gorgeous family vacation routine, right in time to break it. Bob and I are drinking the house red and really appreciating this trip and our family. We're eating green been tempura and seafood risotto rich with prawns and coastal mussels. Briny seafood essence is at its finest here in Lagos.

Ryder decided to try a lemon. I love this little boy. He keeps us laughing!

Lagos is a true gem. I'm glad we followed our instincts to the Algarve and stayed in this most excellent beach town.

I loved our after dinner strolls home, especially when the kids would drift off to sleep. 

Arribalé

R. da Barroca 40

8600-674 Lagos, Portugal

Imperio do Mar

R. Silva Lopes 25

8600-623 Lagos, Portugal

Sal & Companhia

R. 25 de Abril 67 

600-525 Lagos, Portugal

Puritan & Co.

Here you have Chef Will Gilson's almost a decade-old original spot, Puritan & Company, and this is my first time here!! On our 3rd Wedding Anniversary in May of 2021 life was coming-out-of-the-fog but still on strict pandemic era time. Mask wearing was full on and tables were spaced strangely around restaurants like the ones here awkwardly fronting the bar. I was newly pregnant with my son, Ryder. I don't remember exactly what we ate but it went something like: crab toast, burrata salad, orecchiette in short rib ragout and brown butter cod over creamy risotto. Puritan’s team made us feel cozy and celebrated - and all the dishes of inspired New England fare were really, really good!

Puritan & Company

1166 Cambridge Street

Cambridge, MA 02139

Marina di Praia | Praiano

After five spectacular days in Rome we took the train to Naples and from there a private driver to the famed Amalfi Coast. 

Here are some snapshots of our time spent on gorgeous Marina di Praia nestled in the perfect cliff-side town of Praiano. Camden loved swimming in the warm water and relaxing on the blue lounge chairs, including naps on Moms lap while she sipped an Aperol Spritz. 

I believe the best meal you will find down at La Praia is at Il Pirata - we enjoyed fried calamari with honey and fried leeks, black truffle cream risotto with speck and homemade pasta with mussels, zucchini, pecorino cheese, pepper and basil. We were treated to really lovely service and stunning views. This classy beach club even had a highchair!

The breathtaking setting, plus the low key vibe and fantastic restaurants in Praiano far exceeded my expectations. Traveling here with Bob and Camden was so much fun and surprisingly - incredibly relaxing. The only not fun, high stress part was the narrow winding cliff roads in and out; Camden screamed inconsolably and he's always great in the car. I guess on a good day even adults don't love that drive. We were thankful we hired a driver instead of renting a car for many reasons; including that parking is limited and caters to locals and the Praiano main loop is one way. We met a lovely Australian family at the beach with a baby the same age who also did not fare well on the drive. They had rented a car and spent 45 minutes one night getting a parking spot. You kind of have to pat yourself on the back and think...hey. we're doing it right!

Praiano will forever be one of my favorites and I can't wait to tell you more about it.