Our first night in Lisbon, we took the three-quarter mile (straight uphill) hike from our hotel near the waterfront to Tasca da Esquina. We got very lucky – they normally can’t accommodate people without reservations, but since we were a little earlier than the traditional Spanish dinner time, the manager offered to squeeze us in.

We sat at a hightop table in the front part of the restaurant. There was a plate of cured meats and a bread box on the table. Since the food was there when we sat down, we weren’t sure if it was for us or if it just hadn’t been cleaned from the person before us. When the table beside us was sat (obviously a European couple) and began eating the meat and bread, we figured it was safe to eat.

We looked through the menu to find it full of unique flavor combinations. For our appetizers, we decided to get several things and split them.
Marinated fish with lemon, dried tomato, blueberries, chilli, and coriander. Holy crap, this was the most amazing thing I have ever eaten. I wasn’t sure how the blueberries would go with the rest of the flavors, but that little burst of sweetness was the perfect complement.
Grilled scallops with passion fruit emulsion. These scallops were perfectly grilled and instead of taking over the flavor of the scallops, the passion fruit emulsion just enhanced it.
Grilled mushrooms, tomato, cauliflower and asparagus. Extremely flavorful – but not the flavor I would necessarily expect with vegetables.

By the time we got to the main course, we decided to just split one so we could save room for dessert! We told the waiter the two things we were going between, but he suggested something different. I’m so glad we listed to him.
Black pork cheek, truffled purée and sautéed vegetables. The pork cheek was so tender and the truffled purée (potatoes) were unlike anything I’ve ever had before. Yes, these are both foods I have eaten before, but the spices and seasonings on everything are what made them so unique. The waiter noted that it is very traditional Portuguese.

We decided to keep pushing through dessert even though we were getting full. We were again talking to the waiter about what (we thought) we wanted, and again he picked out different things for us. After the meal he chose for us, we had no hesitation to listen to him again.
Abade Priscos pudding. This was similar to a flan. The waiter recommended it because it is made from the fat of the pig, which would complement the pork cheek we had for dinner.
Cinnamon sponge cake. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten anything this soft and fluffy. The taste was amazing, but the texture is what I still can’t wrap my head around.

The American in us felt the need to quickly get the check and clear the table due to the group of people waiting for tables at the front of the restaurant and spilling out into the street, but no one rushed us at all. It was overall a great experience. Everything we ate at Tasca da Esquina was so unique. This will absolutely be a restaurant I come back to should I find myself in Lisbon in the future.
So come hungry, don’t forget to make a reservation, and prepare yourself for one of the most amazing meals of your life!