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

Hale'iwa Beach House

We are now on Oahu's North Shore continuing the Hawaii Honeymoon bliss!! Here's a look at a great dinner we had at Haleiwa Beach House. 

Kalua Pork Grilled Cheese ($15) | toasted pullman bread with warm goat cheese, white cheddar, pickled onion and kalua pork

Lobster Cob Salad ($24) | warm lobster + grilled croutons served atop a medley of waipoli greens, blue cheese crumbles, tomato, bacon and a 7 minute egg. tossed in an avocado ranch dressing.

Whole Roasted Catch of the Day (MP) | a ginger scallion beurre blanc, atop a bed of ponzu braised baby bok choy served with white rice

Hale'iwa Beach House

62-540 Kamehameha Hwy

Haleiwa, HI 96712

Dining out | Tulum

As I've mentioned, the food in Tulum is something special. The locals (as well the American and European transplants) who run these intimate restaurants and bars by candlelight and wood fired ovens do an amazing job; not only with the cuisine but with the ambiance and décor. The below is a fairly comprehensive guide of where to have dinner in the jungle!

{Pura Corazon}

At Pura Corazon they serve traditional Mexican dishes. Compared to everywhere else we dined the recipes here felt deeply rooted as opposed to trendy or chic. We ate: Yucatan Lime Soup w/ chicken and tortilla | 2 for 1 margaritas | Shrimp Stuffed Poblano Pepper | "Manchamanteles" - chicken in a pineapple mole sauce over sweet potato mash.

 {Cenzontle} jardin secreto

Cenzontle was modern, fresh, and delicious. We ate: Piquillo peppers stuffed w/ goat cheese and jocoque on avocado mousse  | Catch of the day fillet in lime, ginger, paprika, olive oil and chipotle | Tuna al pastor mounted on black rice topped with grilled pineapple, red onion, roasted peppers and coriander pico de gallo w/ avocado mousse.

{Casa Jaguar} 

I don't know why Casa Jaguar gets such mediocre reviews on trip advisor. I had it on my "could skip it" list but the atmosphere coaxed us in. Both of us had excellent fish entrees preceded by tasty vietkong rollitos and followed up with crispy fried bananas and coconut ice cream. It was one of our favorite, albeit very tipsy meals. (A hell of a happy hour on the beach prior!) I borrowed one of their facebook photos so you could see just how beautiful the space is in the daylight. It is even more enchanting and alluring at night.

{gitano} Mezcal Bar + Kitchen

We came here one night for mezcal cocktails at the bar and another night for dinner on a whim when we couldn't get into Hartwood. I'm so glad it worked out this way. Their shareable small plates were fantastic. 

ALL THE MEZCAL DRINKS: Jungle Fever - mezcal, chili, lime, cilantro | Stardust - mezcal, dark rum, pineapple, papaya, house coconut cream | Tapas Plates: zucchini pasta pomodoro | roasted eggplant w/ sweet sunflower sauce + queso oaxaca | grilled chorizo + sweet potatoes | gitano ceviche - fish, lemongrass, cucumber, jalapeno, mango, red onion | 

{Posada Margherita} 

Posada Margherita is an Italian restaurant and hotel on the beach side specializing in handmade pasta dishes. This place happened to be two doors down from us so on a night where we were particularly beat it proved a solid and satisfying choice. I wouldn't necessarily put it at the top if your list, though. The pasta was pretty good (and I was really glad I added the fresh caught lobster to mine) but what truly captivated me was the rustic chic beachfront atmosphere with its endless amount of potted succulents and weathered antique décor. (And how great is that Bano sign? It cracked us up.) I think dining here would come down to how many nights you are in town (Four or five - I'd go with any of the above / Hartwood / Casa Banana first. Seven or eight and you want to switch it up with some Italian? Sure, why not.

[Please note, all these establishments are cash only! They will accept Pesos or USD.]