NEW: Lisboeta

Lisboeta

30 Charlotte St, London W1T 2NG

Inspired by the heart of Portugal, Lisboeta has opened its doors on London's Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia. Michelin chef Nuno Mendes brings the flavour and passion of Lisbon to the dinner table with a menu of authentic small plates and hearty sharing pots all embodying the 'spirit' of the capital. 

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending the soft launch, hosted by OneZone. It was a gorgeous day in the city, a perfect day for savouring Portuguese delights. 

The atmosphere of the restaurant was vibrant and bustling with diners and feel good music. Architect João Guedes Ramos has encapsulated Portuguese style in the interiors with warm woodwork, tiled floors and white walls with bright turquoise panelling. The open kitchen gives you an intimate insight into the craft of Nuno and his team. It's inspiring to watch the care and precision given to every dish served. 

As it was lunchtime, we wanted to keep things light, so we ordered a selection of small plates to share between us. To start things off we ordered the Coombeshead farm bread with olive oil and whipped pork lard, known as Unto - I'm still salivating at the thought of this, it is divine. The Copita, vara negra (cured black pork meat) was a delicious accompaniment along with a cold glass of Super Bock lager. 

We were advised to try the Bacalhau à brás, confit cod with caramelised onions and potatoes. And it did not disappoint! The fish melts in the mouth and the addition of crisp onions makes an irresistible mash up of texture and taste. The grilled acorn-fed black pork was just beautiful, cooked to perfection it was succulent and tender. Served on a bed of fermented red peppers, it combines salt and sweet flavours perfectly.

Fellow diners feasted on the larger meals and platters, the Carabineiro prawn and razor clam rice sharing pot in particular, looked absolutely stunning. Something I'd definitely go back for to try for myself!

We had a delightful afternoon at Lisboeta. The staff went above and beyond to make our visit the most enjoyable, talking us through the menu and ensuring we had everything we needed. 

Tamara x