Being plant-based hasn't been an issue here in Lisboa where there has been no shortage of vegan restaurants at our disposal. YAY!!! That said, there's been a dearth of restaurants offering plant-based alternatives to Portuguese favorites. So it was a happy circumstance that we found A Minha Avó ("My Grandmother"), which just so happens is a top-rated restaurant that does!
Located a block from the expansive Parque Eduardo VII (and a short hop to huge El Corte Inglés shopping center), in the upwardly-mobile Saldanha District, on the well-groomed Av. António Augusta de Aguilar, A Minha Avó's deceptively modest façade belies its sophisticated interior. Entering, there's a short, but relatively steep staircase going down to the below-street-level space, which acts as a foyer before entering the front counter. When we arrived (a little after 12:00), there were already folks seated and ordering. We inquired if it were possible to have lunch for two (having read that it can be difficult to secure a table without a highly-recommended reservation). (English is nominally spoken.) Fortunately, we were able to secure a table, but had to vacate by 13:30, which was plenty of time for us. A-OK, we're in! :D The larger space in the back (where we were seated) is bright, with a wall of below street-level windows with some vegetation; interior walls were enhanced with decorative flower boxes. It was all very bright and airy and simple.
We began with a couple of refreshing Ocean Beer Lagers (from Spain). For starters, we went with the Pica-Pau (homemade seitan, pickles, parsley and olives, with side basket of sourdough bread [extra]) and Estaladiços de "Alheira" (Portuguese sausage with spinach wrapped in crunchy dough topped with sweet and sour sauce). Both were excellent. For our mains, I did the Francesinha ("[t]ypical Northern dish, with bread, seitan steak, smoked tofu and vegetable chorizo, wrapped in delicious homemade sauce with fried "egg" on top," served with a side of french fries); my better-half went with the Bitoque com "ovo" ("... steak made with [ ] homemade seitan, fried "egg" on top and [ ] typical sauce with wine, mustard, olive oil and garlic," served with fries and white rice). The Bitoque was excellent (from what I tasted). My Francesinha was very good; although, perhaps I should've done my homework on what a Francesinha is because I wasn't too keen on the sauce-soaked bread. That said, it was still an "adventure" I'm glad to have explored. Naturally, there was no room for dessert--which we will definitely save room for our next visit. Service was excellent throughout; empty plates were removed efficiently. As can be expected from an upscale restaurant, prices were on the higher end (for Lisbon's standards), but certainly not outrageous, and well-worth it.
Despite my very slight distaste of the Francesinha, we are so looking forward to returning to try other dishes on A Minha Avó menu very soon...!!! Muito obrigado...!!! :D read more