Polémico — Restaurant in Lisbon

Why is it so Hype? I always rate restaurants specializing in casual, trendy food for sharing by using Bar Alimentar as the non-negotiable benchmark. Based on that standard, Polémico simply does not live up to the expectation its reputation suggests. There must be some kind of magic drawing people in, as patrons were queuing outside well before the doors opened at 7:30 pm. Once we were finally let in, I got the distinct impression that a subtle policy of language segregation was at play. Native speakers seemed to be ushered into the cozy back of the restaurant, where tables were adorned with candles, while English or foreign speakers were relegated to the front section, seated at tables that felt strikingly basic—almost "IKEA-like." The staff is friendly and multilingual, which is a definite plus. However, their demeanor and uniforms are entirely too casual, bordering on sloppy. Service requires a certain level of professionalism, and here, the standard felt uncomfortably relaxed. As for the food itself, it was okay, but decidedly lacked any true highlights. The smoked cod arrived disappointingly cold. The pork belly was sadly more fat than actual belly, missing the necessary textural balance. The carbonara made from beans was certainly interesting and tasted good, but the quality and slicing of the speck could have been significantly better. The one undisputed positive is that the pricing for the entire experience seems fair. Altogether, Polémico is a decent restaurant that provides an acceptable meal. But based on the effort required and the actual quality delivered, it is nothing that warrants an extra trip or justifies the...

The "maria" cake, or the reconstructed version of it, crumbles and sticks like sand in a perfect way. Dining by yourself has its perks, you hear things others would usually whisper. You pay attention. Grandfather of the chef was not amused by the traditional recipe, giving birth to a renewed version by the chef's grandmother that went through god knows how many iterations before arriving at its final, modern form. The unreachable crumbles of the crashed up maria biscuits on the metal plate are impossible to fully envelop just like the sand on your toes as you perform the final shake-off before leaving the beach. I can't help but wonder how many women have shaped the culinary industry on a "whim" of people in their lives. Not necessarily in a political way. Maybe a little. More in an anthropological interest way. I am simply curious. The "maria" dessert was impressive, reminding me of a candy from my childhood on the other side of the world. The texture both chewy and pleasant did not disappoint, making me question whether the original recipe would satisfy me as much. Not too sweet but all in all...

We arrived on time and were welcomed warmly. They asked us to wait at the bar, and the bartender was great - friendly and made some really good drinks. However, he forgot about three of them, and when they finally did bring them over to our table, it took quite a while.

Once seated, no one came to the table for a while, so we were just sitting there with those delayed drinks. Luckily, things improved - we got some excellent food recommendations to share, and everything we tried was genuinely delicious. The timing between dishes was perfect, and the wine wasn’t too pricey, which was a nice surprise.

Also, the couvert was surprisingly expensive - definitely not worth what they’re charging.

Even after the kitchen closed, they let us stay for a while, which felt really generous. The vibe was great, and the staff overall was friendly and laid-back.

That said, the pricing feels high for the level of service. At that price point, you’d expect more attention - like refilling wine without asking, or quicker response at the table. The dessert,...