An unreal Dining experience after a spiritual relaxing day…..

We finally slowed down today. After staying up until 3:45am writing for me, I was exhausted….it was dreamy to stay in bed until 9:30am. We made it to breakfast at 11am and did not leave our hotel until 11:45/12. Another couple of shout outs…..again to Rebecca for choosing this incredible hotel, not only are we in the BEST location, but the shower is HOT with amazing water pressure. So important while traveling. You must book Pestana Vintage Porto when you plan a Porto adventure. Call Rebecca at BTA to receive extra perks and special treatment. I love how many of you have this on ur bucket list. Thanks always for the comments and replies- WE love them! A serious must visit destination. I will be back to this Country for sure. Also, to Julie, as today is her 35th B-Day, we will celebrate next week when she is in Arizona- Happy Birthday.

Okay….Tracy finally agree’s our breakfast is not the best here at hotel…its just okay. Today I had an omelette which was great- basic but yummy. The hotel coffee is not great, hopeful to enjoy in Lisbon. And yes, Marc – they have sweet breads, not the organ meat kind.

We ventured out layered in clothing as to feel more prepared. Upon our good fortune- it is the most gorgeous day….the sun is shining, birds are singing, children are laughing, tourists are out everywhere, along with the locals. We begin our walking leisurely day on foot. While I am writing, again at 1am, we have walked another 6 miles. Our bodies are aching, we have also both decided we are getting face lifts. Lol, that is a story I will spare details of😂🤣☺️

Back on track…..we are headed to the famous Bookstore, the Livrario Lello, the most beautiful bookstore in the world. Built in 1906, legend has said the staircase inspired JK Rowlings to write Harry Potter. We learned it was a myth, but she did write her first book while living in Porto, as she is married to a Portuguese man and loves Porto. It really is a hidden secret of the world. A 2- story building with the extremely unique architecture, red carpet and stairs, you must pay 5 Euros to enter. Its like a historical sight on the map of monuments. To have your book sold here is a huge honor. The Prince and the Pea was a big deal here. The staircase is most unusual design from its time and made of cement and plaster. I waited outside after browsing, as Tracy spent an hour in here. She bought 2 books and is my bag lady, she always has bags with her no matter what, she loves to buy keepsakes & gifts. She may need an extra suitcase to take everything home. This is actually the most mild shopping I have seen her do on a trip. She is my fancy shopper friend. I blog/write, collect magnets….lol and she is a big buyer. The sun is beaming down, we each are removing layers today. We are in the historical center of town mostly today. We ventured to the Tower, truly called the Torre dos clerigos….we got tickets to climb this clock tower in the center of town, it struck once while we were inside at 1:30pm. It was worth the treck, as the views of the city, priceless. A lil claustrophobia in the narrow cement stairways. Made it, as the little slots as openings for natural light and fresh air made it bearable. We determined it was good we are fit, not overweight(although getting there :-)), would be impossible to do for many.

Off to our church filled day now….Tracy wanted to visit a particular one, while I had a different one in mind. We walked into 4-5 different churches, most had fees to enter, things to see, catacombs, hidden houses inside, and such details with pounds of gold. The fact that human hands built these VERY old structures, delicate pieces of art, we were mesmerized by the beauty. I was upset no real candles to light. Due to fire hazard, all candles are electric now. Not the same effect for me. I guess Ill go back to NYC cathedrals for my real candles. We kept walking miles. We visited the most beautiful McDonalds…Segway guy said it was a must see….it had fancy chandeliers and did not look like a normal McDonalds. Starbucks too…..we both were in the mood and ventured in…the food was crazy… real sandwiches with Iberian ham, red velvet muffins, so many desserts….strange for a Starbucks- and again much cheaper here for a chai tea latte.

The walking today with no real agenda brought us up/down alleyways, tiny little narrow streets that only fit people not cars. Very much like the street ways in Venice, super old world feel- we loved getting lost like in a puzzle and stumbling upon such beauty. We both keep comparing it to different European cities/villages, yet truly with its own feel. The people of Porto are warm, kind, friendly, and lovely. Lots of pictures snapped of the beautiful scenery. Its quiet out and the seagulls and pigeons sound like they are honestly putting on a show. We are taking in the day posing everywhere for photo shoots as we keep saying we are on a set of a movie. Of course we had to enjoy a warm egg/sugar tart, called Pasteis de Nata. Mouth watering goodness. We figured out that the best place for it here is the place we found on the first night, shocked about it, we had one to share. They are tiny and you can watch the guy make them in front of you like a factory…Will still have to go to the real factory in a neighborhood in Lisbon where it originated from. I honestly will go back to starving myself soon….ha

More cathedrals for these 2 jewish girls. Lots of blue tiles and so much color on buildings. You know Portugal is known for tiles….all structures are covered in tile work. Its part of the pristine elegance of the colorful fairtytale land we have been experiencing. Live performers with beautiful voices singing or playing instruments are scattered down many streets. Tracy is hungry, weird time as our dinner reservation is early tonight at 6pm. We still had not tried a famous gross sounding dish Portugal is known for….this monstrous sandwich, filled with many cooked meats, smothered in cheese with an egg and this drippy sauce it drowns in….Anthony Bordain made a few places here famous for it as the best places to try it. We didn’t make it to those, but decided we had to try it. We found a sidewalk cafe to sit across from one of the train stations. Thinking we would just take a bite(a must cut w/knife sandwich) we both enjoyed it. At least more then expected. Maybe cause we had not really eaten since breakfast….Last on list was walking around the grounds of the massive church while walking back to our lovely spot down by the river. The sun was setting and the views were gorgeous.

All changed and ready for what was to come next, a true dining experience again out of a movie. 👨‍🚒 Scott again struck gold with this recommendation. You must make a rez ahead of time at Restaurant Chama. A family feel type of place, 3 friends are business partners. Opened 3 months before the pandemic and magically survived. Its a tiny place….basically to try and explain. You show up ready to eat, drink, meet new friends, and enjoy a 3 hour dining experience. You don’t order a thing. Im wondering how Marc or Valerie could eat here….can only say if you have allergies to something. They do not offer vegetarian, but will do a pescatarian option. We must have had 6-7 courses. Drinks are done the same…you give them 3 key words and they create a cocktail. . The most interesting and innovative concept for a restaurant in my opinion. They are a tiny place with different start times to control the kitchen. They have family heirlooms all over as for the decor and design to have meaning with a story. The great grandfathers bike is hanging on the wall, as well as a vey old box-style tv from my youth, photos, books, sewing machines, bottles, many eclectic items. The owner made a toast speech 2 times to share his grandma’s grapa with the crowd. The secret was it had some honey in it. He cheers to grandma Beatrice every night with all guest. My kind of thoughtful guy. They each pull up a wooden stool and sit with you to learn how you learned of the place. The guys on our left were from NY. Currently living in Jersey City, a gay married couple who we enjoyed talking too. Matter of fact they gave us a Lisbon restaurant recommendation to try. They head back to USA tomorrow after 10 days away. One is a dr, the other a comp guy originally from China. The ladies on our right, from Canada had such good stories. You literally are like at a cocktail party all night. I have live video footage as this doesn’t do it justice. We toured the kitchen before leaving as the wood burning oven is how it got the name Chama, fire….They purchased it from an old lady of of town, it was 150 years old. All food served is fresh from local farmers and fisherman. The line up of food changes nightly. One table had been a few days before and were back again. This was our most $$ meal yet at a total of $135.

we started with a secret tiny drink…tequila based with a fruity taste topped with lil chocolates. Next my 3 words to inspire my drink were Vodka/fruity/smokey…..Tracy chose Flowery/Vodka/sweet. She outdid me, but both were wonderful. Mine a kiwi mixture with foam, and hers a pink yummy drink with a violet flower on top. The fresh bread was insane,….Val and Marc- you would have to splurge here….the olive oil bread was insanity!! We started with a fish soup. I never eat clams and did enjoy this dish….Tracy LOVED IT. Next came 4 balls…not sure what was in them and tracy asleep, but they were also good and laying in a purple cabbage with a passion fruit sauce, sort of croquette-like. Then a pickled veggie dish w/ beets, cauliflower, radish, and broccoli- sounded bad, but tasted good. My favorite dish of the night was a poached egg on top of pickles, yogurt sauce, fresh bacon pieces, cooked red onions, and delish micro greens….this was like a bizarre mixture of flavors that was to die for- this was the first meal I did not ask for salt…all was perfect. My Terri and Scott would LOVE this place. Next up a seabream fish dish, my second fave….wow it had potatoes, a spinach cream sauce, and sweet shallots that tasted like candy and looked like plums.

. Im fading- forgive me,…its 2am. Oh while we are eating all this food, there is so much action, conversations, laughing, photos being taken, and more drinks arriving. We had a pitcher of mango-passion fruit sangria. Our table neighbors are drinking too. Its a real party. Next dish- a weird Portuguese stew, a bit of rice with sliced veal carpaccio…more like a tataki. The stew stuff had shredded meat, cannoli beans, a yummy sauce, but also tripe. Yucky…we could not eat that part. The inside lining of a cow stomach…i was disgusted by the look of it and told him I ate the duck embryo in Vietnam. Lol what a crazy night of dining. Best ending was the dessert…..All separated on plate….crumble pieces, granola/nuts, chocolate mouse like stuff, vanilla ice cream, berry jam/sauce, and dark choc pieces….you eat it all together, voila…a party in your mouth. Oh, and Anna had many tattoos…i heard the meaning and story to each one, a particular favorite I photographed.

Our 3 hour experience ended with huge hugs to all, photos, and a beautiful walk home. We stopped at a tourist stop to buy my staple magnets, Tracy bought a scarf. We purchased train tickets for tomorrow, arranged for taxi to station. Packed set alarms, and tracy had to blow dry hair, a big task she does not enjoy. I had to work, At 10 pm Porto time I was sitting on my laptop, making calls to USA- Tracy loves to listen. My new job is SOOOO flipping awesome. A total new type of conversation, yet still adoption related. Im exactly where I am supposed to be. Thank g-d for miracles!! Of course one of our dinner friends has an adopted child. She shared her story. A big work day for me tomorrow. I have 5 calls scheduled, thankfully not starting until 5:30 pm Portugal time. We have a dinner reservation planned for 9:15 pm at the restaurant recommendation from our Israeli couple on first night. Tomorrow starts a new chapter to Dora’s adventure. Super excited!!!

love Laurie Sue…aka Dora❤️

PS. Marc….if you made it to the bottom, your questions in ur comment killed me. U r the brother I never had, but was lucky to find. Hope your birthday was fabulous!! 💫