Oato happened by accident like LITERALLY! We were three days into our break in Lisbon and (if memory serves me right) Neal had plans for us to have din dins in some place……, yep, you guessed right, that did not happen for reasons (I fail to recall). Anyway, we found ourselves wondering around the back streets of our hotel location which had a few places to eat – (you know them ones, which have restaurants lined up with the restaurant staff trying to convince you to come in for a meal?) yeah? those kinds of streets. Let us just say I was not in the mood cos your girl was hangry!
After looking at the various offers and menus (either shoved at us) or at the display stands, we were all but ready to give up and boom there was restaurant Oato tucked in the corner. It was not busy and seemed a little too quiet. Do not get me wrong, I appreciate a subdued dinner experience and what not, but, I mean, it was located on a busy street frequented by tourists and no one was in there? Hmmm dodgy no? ha! In hindsight, I reckon it was the time we chose to eat perhaps? We generally tend to eat earlier than most, plus, local custom suggest that dinner can be a late affair. No matter because Neal at this point was way past caring. He was equally hangry and we both just want a meal, so we decided to wing it!
We could not be arsed to look at the menu and asked Ruben (our waiter for the evening for recommendations). Well, Ruben, came all the way through like for real. He started us off with a charcuterie board which was 3 kinds of bread, olives and butter.
As you lot know, we are not too keen on bread but when I tell you we tucked in rather wolfishly … (don’t judge, we were hangry!) Then came the beef shin up with roast veggies, the beef melted off the bones boi!
Then came the beef shin up with roast veggies, the beef melted off the bones boi! We also had rice and beans which was quite interesting. It came plated in a pot and was like a thick soup (think risotto) but it was yummy. Surprisingly Neal did not mind it (he has not realty had rice & beans before I don’t think). The garlic prawn now that was the business! The prawns had to be de-shelled and ting, but it was so good. The sauce was perfect for dipping bread in and I was all over it!
Yes Ruben! You did us a solid, thank you! Food was good!
cheers
Ndidi
p.s. man like Ruben
