Sabores d’Avó

My wife and I had rented an apartment on the street of the Elevador de Bica for a week and wanted to eat where locals eat. Thankfully we found the entries about Sabores d’Avo on Unilocal and despite our rather rudimentary Portuguese got the impression that this restaurant was worth a try. (Ana C. from Lisbon had written «Um óptimo restaurante para se comer comida tipicamente portuguesa a preços acessíveis.»)
We went on a Monday evening relatively early for Portuguese habits, the place was already quite full. We were the only non-​locals and we remarked two TVs on opposite sides of the place — my wife could see another program than myself. To our dismay we were told that there never was fresh fish on Mondays. Having come to Lisbon for a week of fish and seafood, we did not want to have meat. So we opted for the famous Bacalhau. What came was a tray with two rather big pieces accompanied by vegetables, a sauce, and thin-​sliced fried potatoes. There was an extra plate of mixed salad my wife had asked for instead of the potatoes. We had just started to try, found it very good — and then the BIG SHOCK came: the portion of fish was only for one person. The same amount was placed in front of my wife. We truly struggled with the extraordinarily generous helpings (seeing the same amounts of food in front of other eaters at the other tables), but managed to finish it all as it was sooo good. Accompanied by two half carafes of local white wine, the usual Portuguese starter of cheese, bread and nicely marinated olives, and four Bicas (local type of Espresso) we were charged the «outrageous» amount of EUR 21,00.
We went back on Wednesday, the night of the Europa League football final Benfica vs Sevilla. This time the place was even more packed than on Monday, some customers we had already seen on our first visit, and both TVs showed the same programme. This night we had very fresh fish, one whole Dourada (gilthead seabream/​Dorade), one whole Robalo (sea bass/​Wolfsbarsch), both grilled and accompanied with potatoes and mixed salad. We had started with cheese and olives, accompanied our meal with one half carafe of local white wine and a small bottle of mineral water, finished the meal with two desserts (baked apple with custard and one slice of home-​made cake) and two Bicas. The bill this time: EUR 19,80 for both of us.
The atmosphere in Sabores d’Avo is very convivial, guests obviously are from the neighbourhood and many know each other, they sit down, have one course, go out one the pavement, smoke a cigarette, come back in for more food, go out again, one gentleman –whom we already knew from Monday– with his glass of brandy in one hand and a cigar in the other.
Although this place is as Lisbon-​ish as we think it can get, foreign guests do not have to worry: the very friendly young gentleman behind the bar speaks good English and fluent German.

Este restaurante está desde Março no lugar da Adega dos Mastros, mas a qualidade continua a ser óptima. O ambiente é acolhedor e simpático, e eu sou fã especialmente do peixe grelhado, embora tenham também outros excelentes pratos. No exterior podemos ver um quadro de ardósia com alguns dos pratos disponíveis e respectivos preços, e pelo que costumo ver a maior parte da pessoas que pára a vê-​lo acaba por entrar! :)

Um óptimo restaurante para se comer comida tipicamente portuguesa a preços acessíveis. O espaço é pequeno, com paredes de azulejo e mesas de madeira escura decoradas com toalhas coloridas. No menu podemos encontrar várias especialidades da cozinhas portuguesa, desde o peixe e as espetadas grelhadas, ao cozido, bacalhau e o tradicional bife. No verão é um bom sítio para se comer as famosas sardinhas! O atendimento combina com o ambiente familiar e com os sabores da comida das nossas avós.

Que delicioso bacalhau à minhota comi eu neste restaurante. Andava pela zona, como gosto tanto de fazer, mas a fome começou a apertar. Quando passei pelo Sabores d’Avó o quadro que estava à porta chamou-​me à atenção e resolvi entrar. Não é muito espaçoso e não estava com muita gente, por isso fui rapidamente atendido, e com simpatia.
Para além deste prato, percebi que têm outros típicos portugueses, o que é sempre uma mais-​valia. E o preço é óptimo.

Não é um restaurante muito grande o que faz dele um lugar acolhedor.
Aqui aconselho a dourada ou a espetada de novilho. As batatinhas fritas às rodelas caseiras são fantásticas.
Todos os dias têm pratos do dia, sempre tipicamente portugueses.
Os preços são acessíveis e o serviço bastante eficiente que nos faz sentir como em família.