Lisbon, surprise us
Euphoria seems to have taken over the Portuguese capital . In 2016, all visitor records were broken, two new chefs conquered the long-awaited laurels of the red guide and yes, they won the European championship which, let's face it, for Latin countries is a shot of optimism hardly comparable. But attention, 2017 looks even more exciting for Lisbon … We begin our immersion with an agenda that promises us a true feast of creativity.
GASTRONOMY: WHAT WILL WE EAT IN 2017?
The revolution of the Portuguese gastronomy began to be orchestrated with force from 2007, radically transforming the culinary panorama of Lisbon -excessively traditionalist-. The protagonists: a group of young chefs whose proposals represent a perfect equation between what is Portuguese and the most creative and innovative approach.
We talked, among others, about the chef Joseph Avillez , whose double star endorses him as one of the gurus of Portuguese gastronomy with his restaurant ** Belcanto ** However, the renowned chef does not stop there: in recent years he has opened several restaurants such as Minibar , a gastro bar where there are clear references to elBulli and Ferrán Adrià (one of his teachers).
Aperitif in the Mini-Bar?
In his latest project, ** O Bairro de Avillez **, located in Chiado, we find two different spaces: one for Portuguese tapas and the other for fish. Both are excellent, but I prefer the tapas: the Portuguese stew croquette (one of the fetish dishes of this genius of the kitchen) and the alfacinha de bacalhau They can hardly be erased from my memory. The prolific chef will continue the expansion of his 'Bairro', with the opening of new spaces during 2017. We will be attentive.
We continue with Henrique Sá Pessoa, who has just conquered his first and well-deserved star with Alma, where he recreates a fusion cuisine, "well travelled" in which the base of the product is Portuguese with international influences, especially Asian . The Portuguese chef plans to open a new space, Tapisco, a tapas bar (the name is the fusion between the word 'tapas' and 'petisco', the Portuguese cover). We still don't know too many details, but from what Pessoa has accustomed us the new Tapisco is destined to become one of the gastronomic spots of the moment.
These are the creations of Henrique Sá Pessoa
Another of the fashionable chefs, Kiko Martins, is preparing a new landing in the Principe Real neighborhood. After the recent opening of O Asian , with Asian cuisine, of course, and already considered one of the most beautiful restaurants in Lisbon, where you can also eat and drink some scandalous cocktails, the chef finalizes the details of A Mesa, an intimate place with only 15 places.
And of course you will have to stop by Loco Restaurante (Navegantes 53), the premises of another of the winners of a Michelin star, Alexandre Silva, opened just a year ago: experimental food, 'very crazy', one of the great gastronomic discoveries of 2016 and that promises much more in 2017.
This is how you eat in one of the most beautiful restaurants in Lisbon
UNIQUE MUSEUMS
The MAAT - Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology is a futuristic construction on the banks of the Tagus River, the work of the British architect Amanda Levete. It opened its doors last October, has transformed the riverside landscape of the city and It has become an inescapable meeting point for locals and visitors.
Its façade is covered with 15,000 tiles that reflect the waters of the river in a light show that accredits it as one of the most photogenic museums in existence. The tiles come from the Ceràmica Cumella house in Barcelona, which were once suppliers to the great Gaudí. The MAAT, sponsored by the EDP Foundation, offers us a rich program of exhibitions and great novelties for 2017, such as the opening of a pedestrian bridge that will link the roof with the avenue behind the gallery , in addition to a parquet that has been entrusted to the extraordinary urban landscaper Vladimir Djurovic.
What do we love, among many other things, about MAAT? Its democratization to be able to enjoy it 24 hours a day. Climbing on its curved roof to take in the views is simply magnificent. More than a museum, what has been said, an obligatory meeting point of the new Lisbon.
Its architecture has transformed the banks of the Tagus
The Museu Do Aljube Resistência e Liberdade, where you can learn about the recent history of Portugal, is one of the latest surprises on the Lisbon cultural scene. Located in a former prison near the imposing Sé Catedral, we attend an emotional journey through the 41 years of salazarist dictatorship in Portugal and the colonies , including the darkest episodes of that cruel dictatorship: torture, oppression, censorship... Three floors, including the cells, that tell us about this part of recent Portuguese history and that ends on April 25, 1974 with the 'Revolution of the Carnations'. For a breath of fresh air (much needed after what we will see) do not miss the cafe on the fourth floor, with impressive views of the city and the river.
The museum hides treasures like these
THE NEW LISBON SHOPPING
Recently, someone close to the Spanish embassy in Lisbon told me that when the Prime Minister of Portugal, António Costa, asked Doña Letizia on her recent trip to the Portuguese country what she wanted as a souvenir, she did not hesitate to answer that they were Claus Porto brand products. Coincidence or not, they are also the favorites of television Oprah Winfrey, of which she declares herself an unconditional fan. I know the brand, I love its beautiful Art Deco packaging and its fresh and subtle aromas , so when I found out that they had just opened their first store in Lisbon, I didn't hesitate for a moment: I ran to find out all the secrets of the oldest brand of soaps and fragrances in Portugal.
In the number 135 of Rua da Misericordia, in Chiado, we found a wonderful space that represents a reunion with the incredible heritage of a brand that began producing its products for royalty and high society of the time exactly 130 years ago. "The brand is still manufactured according to traditional production methods: only natural ingredients and essential oils mixed up to seven times so that the texture and characteristics of the soap are not altered with use" , says Bruno, the store manager, who declares himself passionate about fragrances, as well as an expert connoisseur. And, as such, he does not hesitate to affirm "I sell the best soaps in the world".
“Even the packaging is done by hand, slowly, with great care, this has been the case for more than a century” , he adds, showing us a photo showing an old lady carefully packing it. This makes each Claus Porto soap a small work of art and limited stock.
The brand has opened a new store in Lisbon
The store, which occupies an old pharmacy, is completely lined with wood and glass cupboards and cabinets that have been carefully restored respecting the original layout. In them, the most traditional products of the brand are shown, soaps and fragrances, in addition to others with which the Claus Porto portfolio has recently been expanded . This is the case of the candle collection by perfumer Lyn Harris, inspired by the aromas of Portugal, such as the mist of the Atlantic (beautiful, isn't it?). In the area that divides both floors we find a small museum with photographs, precious old perfumery utensils and even the original recipe of one of the products in which the precise amount of each ingredient is indicated.
On the ground floor, the surprises continue: an exclusive space for men, where a record player and a bar with whiskey and other strong drinks ensure a "total male experience". Starting in the coming months, the house will propose special sessions with professional barbers to teach men how to care for their beards and shave properly.
The charm of wooden shelves
THE SEXIEST TOILET ON EARTH
I feel almost ashamed to have discovered it now, but this funny, with a little bit of depravity, WC in the Terreiro do Paço has fascinated me. Therefore, although it is not a strict novelty of 2017, I ask permission to include it among the list of things to visit in the new year, for the surprising, for the crazy and for being in line with that new creative Portuguese spirit.
Who would have imagined that one of the most visited historic squares in Lisbon, Praça do Comerço, would house a truly peculiar public toilet: the one billed as 'The Sexiest WC on Earth'. Difficult to evaluate this extreme, but of course we assure you that the experience is worth it. After paying 50 cents, you access the place in question: music, design pieces and an entire wall full of toilet paper rolls of different colors to choose from. Do you feel sexy? So choose red. With a great ecological conscience? So green is the most suitable. Still not enough? Well, at the exit, a store awaits you that sells… Guess what! The initiative is the work of Renova, the Portuguese paper brand that revolutionized the world of toilet paper with its rolls of colored paper and original designs. Chapeau Renova.
Can a toilet be described as sexy?
EVENTS 2017
Finally, we leave you a small list of the most important events that will take place in Lisbon throughout 2017: Lisbon, Ibero-American Capital of Culture (from January to December), Peixe em Lisboa (March 30 to April 9), the city's great gastronomy festival to be held in the renovated Carlos Lopes Pavilion, in Parque Eduardo VII ; the Volvo Ocean Race (October), the most important nautical event on the planet; and, of course, the Web Summit, the largest technology conference in the world that will take place again in Lisbon between November 6 and 9.
The technological conferences will be held again in Lisbon
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