Trip to Portugal (Day 6 and 7)...Final Day Seafood

(September 26)

Good morning, Estoril.


So, we started our morning at the neighborhood bakery cafe again. Their pastries were so wonderful. The chicken pie came just out of the oven and it was piping hot.


After breakfast, we called a taxi to take us to Cabo da Roca (Cape Roca), the most western point of Europe. The drive was about 30 minutes from Estoril to the north-west.


We made it there! It was so windy and chilly, but we were so happy. The view was magnificent.


We took a walk around and admired the view and nature.

Then, we went back to Estoril to hang out in the beach. We relaxed all the rest of the day on the beach.


For lunch, we went to another beach restaurant.


We had grilled mackerel and swordfish. Portuguese seafood are so good.


It was already our final evening. For dinner, we took a taxi to Furnas do Grincho in Cascais. It's a beautiful ocean-front seafood restaurant.


Octopus carpaccio, and ameijoas a bulhao path (Portuguese steamed clams in white wine, garlic and coriander). Excellent start!


Bacalhau gratinado (gratin of salted cod) was made with potato, béchamel and cheese. It was so smooth and the flavor was really fine. I loved it so much.


Paelha de marisco (shellfish paella) was really delicious, too. We enjoyed all the wonderful flavors of Portuguese seafood.


The next day, we flew back to LA. The connection was at Heathrow Airport (London), then flew straight to LAX. In the plane, we had more seafood. The cioppino was actually pretty good.

What a great trip it was! We had a blast in Portugal. We enjoyed the beautiful places, people, and food there. We fell in love with Portugal so much that we want to go back there again next year. Then, we would love to visit other cities in Portugal, too.


I miss Portugal! So, a day after we returned, I made Portuguese-style shrimp and beans in my tagline-style donabe, "Fukkura-san". It was inspired by the dish we had in Lisbon. I made it with beer for the sauce and finished with Portuguese piripiri (chili pepper), and the dish came out so good.

Happy donabe life.

Trip to Portugal (Day 5)...Grilled Sardines and Wedding Night

(September 25)

Good morning, Estoril.


Beautiful morning.


On the way to the beach, we found a bakery cafe in the neighborhood. As soon as we entered the shop, I was so fascinated with all the delicious looking Portuguese pastries.


So, we picked up some snacks. Queques (Portuguese tea cake) and pastel de nata (custard tart). I was so surprised to find queues, because it looked exactly like an old school Japanese madeleine, except that this was so much bigger. And, it tasted just like the Japanese madeleine I remember from my childhood! It was one of my favorite desserts my mom made, and I also liked ones made by a popular brand, Kanda Seiyo-ken back then. So, I was feeling so nostalgic tasting this Portuguese tea cake. I also loved their pastel de nata.


During the day, we enjoyed hanging out in the beach. Jason took a dip in the ocean.


I want this poster!


We had lunch at a beach restaurant. Simple seafood soup was so good.


Then, the main courses...grilled sardines and cuttle fish with salad. Portuguese sardines were so great.


The cuttlefish was so huge! It contained ink and guts inside and served with chopped onion, garlic, and parsley. So good.


Later in the afternoon, we headed to Sintra, about 15 minutes from Estoril by taxi. Leeanne and Jakob's wedding took place at a historic monastery in a beautiful resort.


After the ceremony, there was a cocktail reception in the garden.


With the bride and groom!


Dinner reception started inside. Happy toast.


Dinner was so good! It was the best wedding dinner I've had, seriously!


We sat together with my former colleagues from the company's Europe offices. It was like a fun reunion party. There were German, Swiss, Czech, Swedish, Belgium, American (Jason) and Japanese (me) at one table...a little United Nations!


Cake cut in the courtyard.


More dessert and dancing in a different room. The party lasted until very late.

It was such a beautiful wedding and we were so honored to be part of this special celebration. Thank you so much and congratulations, Leeanne and Jakob. We love you!