A Gaúcha | Lisboa

Upon arrival to Lisbon we had a seamless check-in at our pristine, well appointed, chicly furnished Airbnb and were off in search of dinner!

Our first night's dinner at A Gaúcha followed in smooth fashion. This was a whim destination and one of our best family dinners yet. The polished vibe felt more in line with being an adult; the brightly lit space nodded to upscale and the boys were well behaved. I felt something in me really relax after our long travel day with a crisp glass of vinho verde in hand. To think we started the morning in Porto, spent time in Nazare and have now made it to Lisbon. Everyone is thriving!

 While the staff prepared our table, the welcoming manager grabbed us wine and chatted, he told me they own the three restaurants in a row on this pedestrian only street. Historically it was a row of warehouses dedicated to salting, processing and selling the coveted Cod fish. R. dos Bacalhoeiros translates to "Cod-Fishing". Fun! 

The food felt much like the restaurant itself: a little more upscale yet unfussy and comforting at the same time. PicaPau de Vaca (€12) offered tender cubes of fillet sautéed in olive oil, garlic, bay leaves, mustard and white wine. This was a super flavorful and filling appetizer. My grilled octopus entrée Polvo na grelha (€18) with batata, grelos, azeite e alho (potato, greens, olive oil and garlic) was excellent. As was Bob's Sea Bass - Robalo (€18) con molho de açafrão das índias (with indian saffron sauce). Ryder ate everything, including the octopus. Camden ate French Fries and perfected his WikkiStix art. Dessert was a glorious Pudim de Doce de Leite (€5). The hospitality felt throughout was top notch; our waitress was very sweet and attentive.

 I've been posting little videos here and there - capturing the scene and hanging onto those vacation vibes. Plus, proof that Ryder loves octopus!

For a perfectly wonderful meal in Lisbon on a historical and charming street, A Gaúcha was the epitome of hospitality to our traveling family. 

A GAUCHA

R. dos Bacalhoeiros 26D

1100-389 Lisboa, Portugal

(interior photo source)

Omakase @ Uni

 Back in February we celebrated my 33rd Birthday at Uni, a contemporary Izakaya helmed by Chef Ken Oringer featuring inventive Japanese cuisine alongside an extensive craft cocktail and sake program. We went all out with the Omakase (chefs tasting) and it was worth every penny. 

Omakase is typically twelve courses, starting small with a few perfect one bite dishes and building in substance as it progresses. At Uni the elements of each dish are plated strikingly so and further each bite takes your palate by surprise. Flavors are remarkably nuanced, intricate, and complex, the fish so fresh, the knife work so precise. 

 We had a cocktail each followed by two gorgeous, striking, fantastic bottles of sake; a Hakkaisan ($55) from Nigata - a sparkling junmai ginjo brut and later a Nigori Dassai '50' ($45) from Yamaguchi, a polished and approachable junmai daiginjo. 

I captured most dishes but did omit a few - here goes:

 Smoked Uni Spoon | osetra caviar, quail egg yolk, yuzu
Foie Gras ice cream | ostreta caviar, potato chip

Kaki - Aunt Dotty Oyster | yamamomo granita, tonburi 
Tai - Sea Bream sashimi | concord grape, myoba

Spicy Tuna + Foie Gras Tataki | aji amarillo, pistachio, pear 
Live Maine Uni Sea Urchin | citrus ceviche, cherry tomato

Nigiri | Toro (fatty tuna), Maguro (bluefin tuna), Hirame (Fluke) + more
Hotate - Scallop | maitake mushroom, chinese chive vin, candied bacon jam
Suzuki - Bass | maguro shirodashi, lemongrass, garlic

Lobster Carbonara | Maine lobster, ramen noodles

Korean Ricecakes | kalni oxtail, kimchee butter, gremolata

This meal had been on my bucket list for awhile, I was so grateful for this exceptional and really fun birthday dinner!

Uni

370 Commonwealth Ave

Boston, MA 02215

Seasons 52 | Chestnut Hill

Another week, another restaurant in the suburbs showing off their repertoire! That seems to be the trend as of late and I am enjoying seeing what these spots are all about. A sophisticated grill and wine bar, Seasons 52 is a part of the specialty restaurant group that owns The Capital Grille. Their menu changes with the seasons four times a year and is accompanied by an exceptional wine list of which 52 are available by the glass. One of them includes an affordable champagne, Chartogne-Taillet ($15.50) Cuvee Sainte-Anne which proves to be an ideal aperitif - light, bone dry and deliciously fruity. 

Of the ten or so appetizers presented to us, pictured here are my favorites. 

Their rendition of the ever popular Blistered Shishito Peppers ($7.20) are served with roasted corn, Sonoma goat-feta cheese, lemon-aioli and sumac. There were delicate strips of lightly seared Ahi Tuna and tender bites of oak grilled Lamb Lollipops that benefited from a smokey char. They exclusively serve Nantucket Bay Scallops, which were beautifully rendered with brown butter and meyer lemon, served in the shell. Flatbreads with a delightfully crisp, paper thin crust have mass appeal for sure, but only the Blackened Steak + Blue Cheese ($10.50) with cremini mushrooms, spinach and caramelized onions managed to stand out in a crowd. 

As for the entrees, everyone around the table seemed to really enjoy theirs. Bob had the Asian-Glazed Sea Bass ($31.80) over organic black rice with snow peas and shitake mushrooms. My Oak Grilled Filet Mignon ($28) was expertly cooked to medium rare, bathing in a red wine sauce with yukon gold mashed, broccolini, roasted tomato and mushrooms. A glass of Jolie Saison Gamay ($12) unfolds with rich fruits and subtle spice notes. A good structure with silky, graceful tannins prove it's well suited to match the filet mignons smooth and buttery texture. 

Their take on dessert is refreshing. Let's be honest, after a heavy steak or seafood meal you rarely want a dessert matching in feat and size, but your sweet tooth kicks in regardless. A rotating selection of mini parfaits and tortes offer delicate spoonfuls of goodness served in a double shot glass. Pictured are the Raspberry Chocolate Chip Cannoli, the Chocolate Peanut Butter Torte and Pumkpin Pie. They are the perfect way to end this type of meal, especially alongside a glass of aged Tawny Port. 

Seasons 52

220 Boylston St

Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

*this meal was complimentary, all opinions are my own*

Martin Codax Albariño | Row 34

Martin Codax Albariño is a sensational white wine from the Rias Baixas region of Northwestern Spain. It is crisp and full of dry white fruits - bracing the palate with citrus zest, granny smith apple, white peach skin and pineapple. A fresh minerality adds definition and sturdiness. It is extremely food friendly and elegantly pairs itself with briny oysters, a delicate striped bass crudo and a hearty brown butter lobster, corn, tomato and basil dish. The Albariño rightly lives up to its nickname "wine of the sea". It even serves to compliment dessert - a lemon pound cake with fresh berries.

Row 34 is named for an oyster raised at the Island Creek Oyster farm. The Fort Point restaurant graciously and effortlessly hosted this wine dinner for about 25 bloggers and friends. This industrial "workingmans oyster bar" is lively and loud, relaxed and fun. It is a destination and we come here often. Newcomers and locals alike, I recommend you pay them a visit.

Row 34
383 Congress St
Boston MA, 02210

*This dinner was complimentary. All opinions are my own*