Tasca Baldracca — Restaurant in Lisbon

0/5 stars. Horrible service.

Start of the night, we get there 15 minutes before opening time (7:45 PM, opening time is 8 PM), we had a reservation for a party of 5 and we get there with 2/5. The host tells us our entire party needs to be there for them to seat us - as a previous server/host this is understandable. From our understanding there is a 15 minute grace period before they give our seat away.

2 minutes past 8, 4/5 of our party arrive. As a previous server/host, this is usually an understandable situation to seat the guests with the insurance that the last person is coming. The last person comes not a minute later and they refused to add an extra seat - even though we were within the grace period.

No water was served and cold shoulders were given to the us the entire time we were there. Also gave the impression that just because we spoke English and were foreigners that they could not give less of a care about us.

A party of more than TEN came in with HALF of their group and was seated right away because they were able to speak Portuguese. If this is how they want to run their business - fine. Bit at least be explicit and say you favour locals over foreigners - even though we are equally paying customers.

We left without ordering anything and the owner had the audacity to yell at us saying this is a “professional” restaurant. They did not display any sort of professionalism.

To make matters worse, we had a reservation under one of their chefs. They took out their frustration out on the chef saying they can no longer book reservations on behalf of other people. Feels like the owner was going on a power trip, taking it out on one of their own staff, even though we were within their “rules”.

Owner = small man, fragile ego.

Can’t speak on the food itself, but the service was so horrible that it was enough to turn our...

Incredible food and service. When we arrived, we were starving. Now, we both feel whole in a way that is comparable only with those most deepest states of love, so ineffably complete that even the greatest lines of Dante and Shakespeare could not hold a candle to how well rounded both our stomachs and emotional constitutions feel at this time. I used to be an atheist but now I know God. I know him well and true. I see him all around me. I know him in the blood sausage scotch egg Apple chutney dish. I know him in the fried bread and sardine masterpiece that arrived two minutes after we placed the order. I know him in every aspect of Tasca Baldracca. I also also know they say the Greek Gods are no more; yet does the goddess of love, that mercurial Aphrodite, not live within the burnished shell of that most beautiful creme brûlée? Does not the great god of the sea, that most powerful Poseidon, reside inside the wonderful fried Octopus, or that goddess of ingenuity and wisdom, the maverick Athena, inside that carrot cake and chocolate glory? Our most wonderful waiter, the rapid, attentive Hermes, who looked after us so well, who was so quick and caring, so light of foot and fancy, is surely the greatest waiter of all the ages combined. Come here. Come here now. To the greatest restaurant that ever existed. And you shall feast - not on mere food and drink, but on the nectar and ambrosia...

I must start by saying that the food is good. Unfortunately eating there is very uncomfortable, and really not pleasant.

We had a reservation at 21:45, cause no spot before was available. After waiting in line for 30 mins, watching our table waiting for us, I tried to say to the waiter that we had arrived. He didn't let me even speak and shout I should wait outside. He ran after me and made sure I climbed every single step of the stair. I said, politely, I'm Daniele I have a reservation. He pointed outside and said to wait. Turned back inside and started talking - apparently to himself. Then shouted my name, in the middle of the restaurant, whistled (yeah, you read it right, the one with 2 fingers in you mouth kind), and started ironically asking if that wasn't my name, if I didn't wanna go inside and went to the kitchen.

Of course, after that, the meal wasn't exactly comfy. Also, music is loud, dishes are dirty, and cutlery is missing. And they keep asking for a tip.

I'm not saying the food is bad, and that food isn't the most important thing in a restaurant, cause in fact probably it is. But this guy needs to find another job. Or maybe a hobby. Or maybe some friends and joy in life. Hope he gets better; better if elsewhere, cause the restaurant (with different music and dishes) would really be a good one. 1 * cause food is 5, atmosphere is 2...