lobo_mau

Technically not in Lisbon, but I thought worthwhile to include 2 restaurant suggestions for Evora, considering the number of Fodorites interested in the Alentejo's capital city.
The 1st is for somebody looking for a formal dinner is Fialho, good and expensive.
The 2nd is for the adventurous person, is Adega Tipica Quarta Feira (Wednesday Typical Tavern aka Restaurante Ze Dias). Dr Freud founded in Wien in the begining of 20th century the Wednesday Psychological Society. I don't know weather or not the later is related with the former, but it's known that a dinner in Adega Quarta Feira worths for a therapy session.
Think about a restaurant without a menu, a price list or a wine's list. The owner (Ze Dias himself) looks for the clients and according to his feeling and their reactions keeps choosing what they are eating and drinking next. By the end you pay for the quantity of food and the quality of conversation.
This is not a meal for the person who has to travel the same day. This is a meal for the traveler staying in Evora overnight.
If you feel unconfortable with a dinner where you don't know in advance how much you are paying, you can always set an upper limit and make it sure to Mr Ze Dias. This way you may always engoy your time without materialistic concerns.
Location: Rua do Inverno (Winter St) - Evora

tico

In April 09 I had the pleasure of finding Fialho by chance. It is wonderful!! Very Portuguese but at a level I had never had before in Portugal. What you find here is worth every Euro.
I'm planning a trip to Lisboa in January. I'm also planning to go to Evora just to return to Fialho.

lobo_mau

4 out of each 5 foreigner visitors in Lisbon are fooled by taxi drivers. The taximeter must be visible and working all times, inside urban perimeter (all sites between airport, city center, Expo 98 site or Belem are within urban perimeter for sure).
It is legal for taxi drivers to ask a small surplus (luggage in the truck and/or airport service, but this is a small surplus, not anything doubling the taximeter value). As a reference, a ride like airport to Rossio Sq or Rossio Sq to Belem should cost below 10 euros. If you are asked 20 euros, then it is a fraud. In case of doubt call the police if there is one in line of sight or ask the taxi driver to drive you to the closest police station.
If you are beeing driven outside city limits (eg.: airport to Cascais or Sintra, ask in advance how much it would cost you).
I've noticed sometimes foreigners trying to enter a 2nd or a 3rd taxi when they are waiting in a line. This is not legal im Portugal, but it's not a situation to be concerned with, because the taxi driver will certainly send you to the 1st in the line).

Sher

What I would like to know is if taxi drivers will transport four adults at the same time.

lobo_mau

Yes. 1 in the front seat. Safety belts mandatory for everybody.

Sher

Thanks.

mbw220

Hi Lobo_mau,

Love your comments on Portugal and Lisbon. What are some of your favorite historical restaurants?

MBW

Nikki

I can attest to both the quantity of food and the quality of conversation (quality of food too) at the Adega Tipica Quarta Feira. But if you are trying to find it by car (and good luck to you in that case) make sure you ask directions from the guy with the dreadlocks who lives down the street and will lead you there on his bicycle (in which case you'd better be really good at driving your car in reverse down narrow cobbled streets avoiding the parked cars and the people sitting on the doorsteps). Useless to ask the guys hanging out at the cafes, or even the cops at the police station.

I'm just saying.

lobo_mau

Nikki, we are very happy to know that you returned safe and in perfect shape, judging by your upward post

lobo_mau

Hello MBW, the historical restaurant is "Tavares" in Chiado, quoted in the 19th century novel "The Maias". A fashionable restaurant is Eleven on the top of Edward 7th Park (not historical). These restaurants are expensive (like 100 euros pp or more). My favourites are in the range of 20 euros, with good food and local flavour. Top 1 for me is "Adega das Gravatas" (Carnide). Alternatives are "Retiro dos Passarinhos" (Campo de Ourique), "Stop do Bairro" (Campo de Ourique) "Cocheira Alentejana" (Bairro Alto).
There are several chains of "Cervejarias" (shelfish and steaks) such as "Cervejeira Lusitana" and "Portugália". Portugália (Almirante Reis av) is opened up to 2 am, which makes it a good option for a late meal.

lobo_mau

Hotel Internacional Lisbon, located in the very heart of downtown Lisbon has been subject to a major renovation. The new look from the outside couldn't be better.

http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/_lodgi...l/ptindex.html

ileen

Thanks to all for sharing so much information. Lots to learn here.

Planning a trip to Madeira Islands. Wondering if someone can share more tips about that area.

Also, what are some good souvenirs to buy in this country and what is the best food we should plan to eat.

Thanks.

lobo_mau

ileen, imho Nancy's page on Madeira is a unvaluable source of information.

http://home.online.no/~nancys/portug...ira/index.html

Sher

The first time we visited Portugal we used this guide to rent a small cottage, which we loved.
I am sorry to see that she no longer provides information personally on rentals as this was the first place I looked this year.

Sher

P.S. For Lisbon. I forgot to include that.

lobo_mau

The red line in Metro Lisbon was extended to include 2 more stations (Saldanha and Sao Sebastiao). This might look a minor improvement for a occasional user, but will have a major impact in the quality offered by the public transport system.
The next improvement will be the extension of red line to serve the airport, but I'm not expecting it to occur in the next couple of years.

http://www.metrolisboa.pt/Default.aspx?tabid=79

Sher

A metro from the aiport would be great. Although, taxis are plentiful and inexpensive.

lobo_mau

In general elections held yesterday, Mr Socrates (not the one you are thinking about) was elected to serve another term (4 years).

lobo_mau

10 years ago (6th October 1999), the world of Portuguese expression was hit by the news of Amalia's death. She is the biggest expression of Portugueseness and the feeling of "saudades" is increasing by the day in every person out of the millions she touched with her live and career.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Am%C3%A1lia_Rodrigues

Sher

Who is the current singer do you think that has become as popular or almost as popular as she was? Or maybe no one person.