Tag Archives: Lisbon

The Non-Gambling Side of Macau

13 Saturday Apr 2013

Posted by in Asia, China, Food & Drinks

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As I’ve noted previously, Mr. Selfish and I didn’t gamble much at Macau. Instead, we mostly wandered around looking for Portuguese similarities. We had found Lisbon to be quite charming (although cold and rainy).

The first thing I knew that I wanted was Portuguese egg tarts. The ones that we devoured from Pastéis de Belém in December made a lasting impression on me. Through my research, I learned that the ones from Lord Stow’s Bakery were supposed to be the best. After much searching, it ended up being inside the Venetian. They were very good but not as fresh, warm, and gooey as the ones from Belém. The turnaround in Belém was intense, and you could see them baking the new egg tarts in the back. At Lord Stow’s, it seemed just like a storefront. Nevertheless, they fulfilled my craving at the time for egg tarts.

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Loving the Green Wine in Lisbon

21 Monday Jan 2013

Posted by in Europe, Food & Drinks, Portugal

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Although Mr. Selfish and I are not wine experts, we have drank enough wine so that we can tell what is a good versus bad bottle of wine. During our six weeks in Paris, we drank many cheap bottles for around five euros each. Once we dipped below that price point, the wine was not palatable.

When we heard that Lisbon had vinho verde or green wine, Mr. Selfish and I knew that we had to try it. Green wine does not refer to the color of the grape but is actually wine made from young grapes. It is meant to be consumed within one year. The wine is a little sweet but mostly tart. We tried it and loved it. So we drank green wine at every opportunity we had.

Our favorite place was a little wine bar called Grapes & Bites. The wine was well-priced, and the food was yummy. Their cheese platter paired perfectly with our wine. Mr. Selfish and I actually went to Grapes & Bites twice although we were only in Lisbon for three days.

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Eating Egg Custards in Belém

20 Sunday Jan 2013

Posted by in Europe, Food & Drinks, Portugal

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By the time we arrived in Marrakech, it was starting to get dark. Because the streets twist and turn in so many directions, Mr. Selfish and I had some trepidation about how we were going to get dinner that evening. While we were waiting for a map from the hotel staff, Mr. Selfish heard a family speaking American English. I hadn’t heard American English in ages, so it was a sweet comfort to my ears. I immediately started speaking to them and asking them about where they were going to dinner. Fortunately, they invited us to follow them to dinner.

The other fortunate coincidence was that part of the family was currently living in Lisbon, Portugal. Mr. Selfish and I accordingly asked them for recommendations since we were going to Lisbon right after Marrakech. Their best recommendation was the egg custards at Pastéis de Belém. Although I haven’t eaten many egg custards, I found these to be utterly delicious and creamy. They were really fresh since the place does a great deal of business. 

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The Views in Lisbon

19 Saturday Jan 2013

Posted by in Europe, Portugal

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Mr. Selfish and I stayed in Lisbon, Portugal for four days. In that short period of time, we learned that the Portuguese sure do enjoy their views. On our first day, we went to the Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara, which is a park and lookout point.

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Selfish in Spain

25 Sunday Nov 2012

Posted by in Europe, Spain

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Mr. Selfish and I are currently in Valencia, Spain. We rented a car from Barcelona and are traveling through southern Spain. We will end in Madrid and spend a week there. Here’s the map of our itinerary:

I know we’re still working through our posts in France, but if you have any recommendations for Spain, let me know.

After Madrid, we fly to Marrakesh and spend three nights there. Lastly, we’re in Lisbon, Portugal for three nights. That means that in less than a month, Mr. Selfish and I will be back in the States for Christmas. Can’t wait!