This little Portugese cafe on the stretch of South Lambeth Road that is mostly Portugese cafes has caught my eye more than once but I'd never actually gone in. Came close when they were serving roast veal for Sunday lunch but headed to the Canton Arms instead. But this weekend the Canton Arms was shut and so time for an adventure. Umming and ahhing outside reading the specials board we were accosted by a friendly young woman asking if we'd like a table. Soon as she explained that the best thing on the special board was steak on a hot stone that you cook yourself she had me.
She took our order without benefit of menus and came back promptly with drinks. The steak arrived ten minutes later raw on top with a scattering of garlic and salt and sizzling furiously on the hot stone. Quick flip and a couple of minutes and the first tranche of meat was mine. Lovely. Another minute or two and it was cooked to my liking, perfectly rare inside, hot and juicy outside. Great pairing with good fries and a plain green salad, with bottles of oil and vinegar on the side. The man had a generous plate of octupus salad that he declared delicious.
They close for holidays for August but well worth heading this way come September. read more
