Leopold

Update: Leopold is now closed.

I had many amazing meals during my Portugal trip, and of them, one of my favorites was that at Leopold, a small but highly creative restaurant in Lisbon. It was exactly my favorite type of meal, the kind that takes risks and makes me happy-sigh but also think, “what am I eating??” It is a sad truth that the more experiences you have, the less surprising new moments can be, but I found myself giddy with excitement several times throughout this meal. If only it didn’t have to end.

Pumpkin, coconut, coriander with a coconut escabeche sauce.

Sourdough made with wheat and beer, sheep’s milk butter, and seaweed tartare. To eat this dish, you mixed up the tartare, spread some butter on the bread, and topped it with a little seaweed.

The tartare had a mix of different foraged seaweeds, capers, and a smear of Dijon mustard.

Egg yolk, buckwheat, sea beans, and another sea green whose name I didn’t catch in a caramelized onion broth.

John Dory, swiss chard, John Dory roe, crunchy seeds, and a miso butter sauce.

Shiitake, shiitake purée, kombu, purslane, and 24hr soy-marinated bonito.

Palate cleanser: Cucumber, pineapple, avocado creme, parsley gel. I loved this so much!

Banana creme (with bananas from Madeira), spices, 1yr cured cheese from São Jorge

“The Box”

Candied fig

Practical Information:

• At least at the time of my booking, they did not have a website. You can contact them and make your reservation through their facebook page.

• Even though I was somewhat familiar with Alfama and its especially hilly terrain, it is a hike to get here. I would highly recommend taking a cab or ride hail.

Date: September 2018
Camera: Leica Q