Sála de João Sá — Restaurant in Lisbon

So far, in Portugal my wife and I haven’t had any really great meals. In Lisbon, we decided to have dinner at a Michelin-rated restaurant—SÁLA de João Sá—thinking that maybe we haven’t spent enough money to receive a really great meal. Unfortunately, even after spending €500+ for our meal, we still can’t say we’ve had a great meal in Portugal. Actually, for the money, it was quite disappointing. I should mention that my wife and I have been to one to three-star Michelin-rated restaurants in New York, Paris, and Osaka.

The presentation and service was definitely Michelin quality. The entire wait staff was very earnest. I really wanted to like the food, but there was nothing memorably good about the taste of the meal. Nothing in the eight courses served really made me go, “Wow, that was amazing! I want more of that.” In fact, instead of being excited for what we would be served next, we were actually dreading what we would get. Each course was based on, “À procura de novas Texturas/In search of new Textures,” utilizing the local seafood. Unfortunately, the seafood was mostly raw, smelled and tasted fishy, and the flavors clashed on many dishes or overpowered the taste of the main protein.

To top it all off, I ordered the wine tasting pairing, which, for the most part was good. But what was very disappointing was being purposely served a corked wine. What makes me say that? None of the wines were excessively chilled, maybe 5-13ºC (40-55ºF) for the whites and probably 16-20ºC (60-68ºF) for the couple of reds. So why would the sommelier serve a rosé ice cold? Maybe because they had a bottle that was corked and figured that it could be passed off on people who may not notice it. They were mostly right. They were just unlucky that they served it to me.

I’m very sensitive to TCA. I can usually tell even when the wine is cold, and definitely when it warms up. I could tell immediately that the wine was corked. My wife confirmed it by describing it as a damp musty basement. According to the sommelier, she didn’t open this bottle of rosé, however, a good somm would taste a wine before serving it by the glass to a customer, especially in a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Her initial skepticism when I said the wine was corked was immediately followed by apologies when she tried the wine herself. Apparently nobody else to whom she served this wine picked up on the flaw. I also noticed she didn’t change out anyone else’s glass who was served the same exact wine. She asked if I worked in the wine industry, and I said, yes, and that my wife and I belonged to a tasting group. That garnered a little bit more respect from her and after this incident, the sommelier was much more attentive.

I also gave the atmosphere a two-star rating because it felt like our table was in the middle on an aisle where all the wait staff went back and forth.

Overall, SÁLA de João Sá is not a place I could recommend. I thought that a seafood restaurant in a town along the Atlantic coast would be able to do fantastic seafood that was unique and delicious. Instead, it was no better than the limited repertoire of average seafood in every other...

This place should be well on its way to getting multiple Michelin stars. Spectacular food with some of the most beautiful plating I’ve ever seen.

We got a last minute table opening and were fortunate to be in the area and made it on time. Without spoiling too much of the fun and surprise, I would highly recommend the extended tasting menu, instead of the abbreviated one. The starter, the monkfish, and razor clam dish were absolute showstoppers. We did not get the wine pairing but instead opted for a couple of nice cocktails to see us through the evening. Truly a unique and spectacular offering of local seafood, presented in beautiful ways, all well seasoned (with the exception of the octopus, which was slightly over seasoned), and exquisitely balanced. A real tour de force that stands shoulder to shoulder with some of the best fine dining I’ve had anywhere.

The service was cordial, prompt, but a bit uneven at times. We had several different waiters present different dishes to us with variable detail in terms of explanation. Chef João surprisingly also helped to serve a few plates to us and by far did each plate the most justice by describing each element of each dish precisely, including the local and historical context of each ingredient. This is truly part of what you pay for (or at least what we would love for these experiences) and if each waitstaff could put in the same amount of effort in detailing each plate, this would have pushed this place beyond the already spectacular level of dining that it currently upholds.

Would recommend for those willing to spend a bit more on a unique and likely soon to be Michelin...

Nestled in the heart of Liston, Sala de Joao Sa stands as a beacon of culinary excellence, truly deserving of its Michelin star. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with impeccable service that set the tone for an unforgettable evening.

One of the standout moments of our visit was witnessing the host's attentiveness and kindness. We saw them skillfully taking care of a young child so that the parents and nearby guests, including us, could enjoy a peaceful meal. This level of service goes beyond what is expected and exemplifies the restaurant’s commitment to ensuring every guest has a remarkable experience.

The culinary journey was nothing short of spectacular. The chef himself presented several dishes, sharing fascinating stories behind each creation. One particularly memorable tale was about the homemade couscous, sourced from local women in the neighborhood. This not only added a personal touch but also highlighted the restaurant’s dedication to community and tradition.

The wine pairing was another highlight of the evening. The sommelier’s expertise was evident as they selected wines that perfectly complemented each course. Every sip was a revelation, enhancing the flavors of the exquisite dishes.

Overall, Sala de Joao Sa offers a dining experience that is both sophisticated and heartwarming. The combination of exceptional service, culinary storytelling, and thoughtful wine pairings makes it a must-visit. Remarkably, all this is offered at a reasonable price, making fine dining accessible without compromising on quality.

Highly recommend for anyone looking to indulge in a truly exceptional...