Tasca da Esquina — Restaurant in Lisbon

We visited this restaurant on 28 July 2022.

Unfortunately, my overall rating is 0 stars.

Because the staff is such a crucial factor here, I feel compelled to write this review (even after several weeks). An absolutely arrogant and outrageous behaviour of the waiter(s). …………… Friends of ours made a fabulous experience in this restaurant in 2019. For this reason, we invited them to this restaurant as a birthday gift.

The reception was rather cold. There was a hint of unwelcomeness in the air. Questions about the menu, ordering or not ordering were commented on or partly questioned several times. Just an example: "You really want 2 bottles of water? Really? Are you sure?" Physical distance was also not respected: My wife had to lean backwards to avoid having her nose in the waiter’s armpit. All communication was accompanied by a constant arrogant undertone and corresponding body language. The tip of the iceberg was, that I heard our waiter joking about me with his colleague, because I only wanted to drink one glass of wine (ed.: I was the driver for that evening). And the whole thing in such a way that I was supposed to notice it. (Yes, that sounds unrealistic. I wouldn't believe it either if I hadn't experienced it myself).

Normally I would have left the place immediately. But as it was a gift to our friends (ed.: and our friends including my wife do not understand Portuguese), I didn't want to ruin the evening, so I try to ignore the situation. It was the worst visit in a restaurant I ever experienced. The food was as expected. But could not really be enjoyed.

On any speculation about discrimination, prejudice or other bias I will not comment here. Only something like that could rationally explain such a behaviour. For sure, this wasn’t only a “bad day” or a “wannabe” attitude.

What remains to be said is, that I cannot and will not recommend this restaurant in any way. Never ever.

@Vitor Sobral, for sure, this is not your...

I normally don’t post reviews, but this was an exceptionally off putting experience. The food itself was a 4/5. We ordered: grilled scallops, sautéed squid with mushrooms, codfish flakes with egg and potato, and codfish fritters. The food was overall good except for very uneven salting on the squid. The service was what truly made this experience awful. From the very beginning, the service was poor. The waiter and waitress were rushing us despite no one else there in the restaurant. It was very apparent they did not want us there for whatever reason. My friend asked for wifi, and the waitress was just all around rude with the request for wifi. The overall atmosphere felt incredibly uninviting. It’s hard to fully describe, but despite not understand Portuguese, some things don’t need words to feel. At the end, they dumped off an electronic check in Portuguese, gave no instructions, and had the audacity to ask for tip, which I’m very glad I promptly said no.

Quite frankly, I don’t know if they really want foreigners visiting, and I would gladly recommend any of the other great restaurants we had during this visit to Portugal to foreigners, including Rosamar and eating bear. Both had fantastic food and a much warmer...

Food was hard to fault, one star dropped for the service - which started out great but was inattentive by the end of our evening.

This place seems to be headed by a celebrity chef who (judging by the books dotted around) specialises in sandwiches. But the food on offer was much more diverse.

Focusing on excellent produce executed relatively simply, the food here majors on flavour.

The tuna, very lightly sauted and served in its cooking juices with a few herbs, was incredible. Sauted prawns also good - interestingly flavoured with rosemary which was almost too strong.

The deconstructed classic dish of cod with fried egg and potatoes was pure comfort eating - although the delicate flavour of the cod (which should be the star of the show) was somewhat lost amongst the stronger flavours of egg yolk and sweet onion chutney.

Also worth a mention was the roasted quail. Expertly done to give a wonderfully crisp skin while retaining the moisture of the meat inside.

Came in at 66 euros, including desert, two glasses of wine and coffee, and a superior selection of breads with fish pate, olives and goat cheese. Not at all bad although slightly pricier than other...