ekscrunchy - Thanks. I remember that thread, I think I looked it up when we were in NY for six weeks last year!

WTB: My two current favorites are GOLDEN PALACE and FU RUN. Both of them serve food from the NorthEastern regions of China, so more wheat than rice. FU RUN is close to the subway stop at Main Street, Flushing. (GOLDEN PALACE means a walk south of about 20 minutes, or a bus ride, from the subway stop) Take a look at the reports about them on chowhound.com. Please let me know how you fare!!

Yes, I do need to return and discover so much more about that fascinating city of Lisbon. And the rest of Portugall!

Thanks ekscrunchy - much appreciated. I'll check out the reports on Chowhound too ;).

"I began with a bowl of Almeijoas a Bulhão Pato, small clams slicked with a parsley and garlic butter bath. Perfect."

Question about this dish: in my research on food in Lisbon, it seemed like this dish was made with cilantro, not parsley. I love clams and despise cilantro, so I thought it was something I couldn't order. But at that restaurant, it was made with parsley? That would make all the difference to me - clams with parsley and garlic butter sounds delicious, clams with cilantro, not so much.

Jane I recall it with parsley. But you know what, learn the names for both herbs and I'd bet many places would accommodate your preference. After all, there are so many diners who don't like cilantro that I'd bet they would eliminate it from your dish if you ask.

I don't remember having cilantro too often in Lisbon but maybe I just was not focused on it, since I am one of the cilantro lovers.

(Just don't give me anything with caraway seeds!! Last week I had lunch at Almanack, the new Nordic place in Grand Central's Great Northern Food Hall. I ordered chicken soup, somehow missing that it contained caraway. Unusual for me, I left most of it in the bowl.)

Thank you so much for this thread, ekscrunchy, it's been so helpful. I leave for Lisbon on Friday and made many notes of places to eat based on your report. And I already wrote down what I need to say: sem coentro. ;-)

Have a great, great time..Lisbon really is a treasure. Please let us know where you eat and how you fare in general!!

Janedoeinnyc, "Ameijoas à Bulhão Pato" are made with garlic, a spoon of white wine, olive oil and... coriander. However, many people have problems with coriander (my husband, for instance) so you can ask for parsley instead. It's ok, the herbs are added after the dish is finished.

Helen, thank you, that's what I thought. I'd like to try the dish but I'll be sure to ask for parsley instead.

We're in Lisbon now - have reservations for lunch at Bel Canto and weighing other options. CERVEJARIA RAMIRO high on our list (although we have had no shortage of excellent grilled seafood this trip!) and also maybe Sacramento. Not convinced about Cantinho do Avillez.

Weather is gorgeous! 15C today.

"Garden of the Goose that Laid the Golden Egg"

:o

What in the world is that? lol

Food experience in Lisbon, at least in my opinion, has little or nothing to do with michelin stars restaurants.

Lisbon_Eagle - suggestions welcome!

Eliz: Try Ramiro if you can order the carabineros, and bypass Cantinho do Avillez.

Some people choose, by choice or by budget, to overlook high-end places. Michelin stars in Lisbon have as much to do with the dining scene there as they do in Tokyo, or in New York. I would never deny that there are good restaurants that have gained Michelin stars. That just seems silly. Is Jose Avillez really non- consequential in the Lisbon dining scene? Depends on who you ask.

Reporting back now that my trip is over. I discovered that even saying "sem coentro" and making sure the server understood me still didn't mean they listened - more than once, a dish arrived full of the stuff.

I had my best meals at Pinoquio and Leao D'Ouro (the restaurant, not the buffet) - although Leao D'Ouro was very limiting for a solo diner since many of their dishes are made for two (I ordered two starters instead of an entree and that worked well).

Worst meal was at Sol Dourado, near my hotel (Avenida Palace). It was Christmas night, there weren't many options and the reviews were good. The seafood rice was barely cooked (many clams hadn't even opened) and it was full of cilantro. Yuck!

I had a fun lunch at the Time Out market, trying different dishes (I like variety). And I loved the vinho verde, tasty and inexpensive.

Overall, I enjoyed Lisbon, not necessarily enough to return but I did eat and drink quite well. Thanks again to everyone for the helpful reports and advice.

Thanks for another great report, ekscrunchy! Leaving Wednesday, and taking your notes with me. Can't wait!