Today was notionally – shopping day. Not that we bought much, a couple of souvenir t-shirts – Tram 28. Hector wandering around Glasgow wearing a – Lisbon – t-shirt? Aye right.
We recharged our travel tickets knowing that these would still be valid tomorrow morning to take us to the airport. Praça Dom Pedro IV had a few shoe shops but stocked nothing that suited. That was the end of the shopping, yay!
Marg’s main objective today was to visit a Coffee House on Praça da Figuera that we had passed often. A chain, Confeitaria Nacional is long established, 1872 was the year emblazoned on the building. We squeezed ourselves in, the Coffee ritual was completed to Marg’s satisfaction, a chocolate truffle may have sneaked in also.
We passed Swaagat, an Indian restaurant whose menu boasted a Lamb Karahi without Capsicum. Why was Hector not straight in there? I could have squeezed in another Curry.
Having walked up Avenue da Liberdade on Day #2, somehow we had missed the parallel street to the east – Rua das Portas de Santo Antão. This pedestrianised street had its own character and was popular with the locals.
Ice Cream Doughnuts – caught the eye. I was trying to imagine what one might look like, we had to investigate. Sadly it was one or other, or both I suppose. Can Hector patent actual – Ice-Cream Doughnuts?
Every day I on this trip I have put various permutations of Bier, Craft Beer, Pubs, Bars, Brewpubs, Microbreweries etc. into Google. There are recurring venues which I know will not be managed this time around. Yesterday, Steve and Hector independently discovered – Sputnik Craft Beer – possibly a – Brewpub. Today, Cerveja Canil suddenly appeared on Google Maps and it was in the downtown area where we were. Hector Holmes was on the case.
Two chaps manned the bar, at least one must have been a brewer. We engaged in Bier talk, such that when Marg caught up with me it was deemed I had better try one of their own. Sadly the NEIPA was off and was not coming back on until next week. I promised to to return later today. With thirty two taps, the most we have seen, there surely had to be something else worthwhile.
We wandered down to the waterfront for the last time and took time to admire the sandcastles and stacked-stones. Marg was impressed when I found the Tram 28 stop to wheech us back up the hill to our apartment.
Steve and Louise were on the same Metro on the magical green line to Intendente. Sputnik Craft Beer was around the corner to the north. There was only one Sputnik brew on the board, that was incidental, Tangeripa (21 Gallas) was available. This has been the best Bier found in Lisboa this week, Hector was up for another session.
Apart from snacks, Sputnik only sells Bier. Unlike Cerveja Lisboa last night, the serving Doris was not being forthcoming about alternatives. I asked if I could bring in soft drinks from outside, Doris wasn’t happy about this. Fortunately, Marg was content to sit for a moment with tap water and watch Steve and Hector indulge in this gloriously juicy 7.0% Tangerine NEIPA. Louise had something lesser.
I went out to get Marg some cola, there were plenty of Takeaway outlets nearby. I decided to check out the Chinese restaurant across the street. All About Noodles – looked appealing, I would moot this on my return. On Marg’s round, she too went across, it was written, we would dine there.
Meat, Noodles, Spicy – was my request. #604 – Massa a Lanzhou – (€6.90) was recommended, Louise followed Hector’s lead. We took our seats and waited, much longer than anticipated. I suppose they were also serving Takeaway customers.
I was more than happy with what arrived despite the fact I knew I would be hungry again in thirty minutes. I had a cunning plan if that was so.
The Green Line took us back down towards Canil. The Brewpub was way busier than this afternoon, it was girls behind the bar.
Marg had a Cocktail, how much? The Bier was – OK – why no more NEIPA?
Canil impressed, decent music at a sensible volume, the place had atmosphere and was easily the busiest venue we had visited this week. It was a Saturday. A pity I didn’t come across it sooner. Definitely a place to check out, and its central location is advantageous. However, 21 Gallas was by far the best source of Bier and our wildest night, well Hector’s anyway.
We walked through Baixa-Chiado Metro station and took the escalators up to Largo do Chiado for the final time. Home in minutes, except, Hector had one final indulgence.
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The Kebap shop on the corner of the street to our apartment has been tempting the Hector all week. It was now or never.
A week in Lisbon, excellent, and still places to visit. Why did nobody tell me about the castles at Sintra?
The venues visited today:
Confeitaria Nacional – Praça da Figueira, Praça Dom Pedro IV 18B, 1100-241 Lisboa
Cerveja Canil – Rua dos Douradores 133, 1100-204 Lisboa
Sputnik Craft Beer – Rua Andrade 41A, 1170-014 Lisboa
Pitha Kebab & Burger House – Calçada do Combro 18, 1200-114 Lisboa
back to – Seven February Days in Lisboa – Day 6