My weekend

A year passed so quickly and it was a time for a new visit to Quinta do Arneiro.
Lisbon was in fog that morning,but when we arrived at the farm, sun was fully shining .

I couldn't wish for nicer December day... friends around, kids running and playing, comforting winter food .. I would like to spend all my Saturdays like that.

Dinner to remember

As you probably know, last week I made 40.. and that my friend is a great reason to celebrate.
I wanted to have a dinner with people that make part of my daily life, once that are there when needed, with whom I can share good and bed news.
Since the beginning I knew I wanted to make it at Chef Nino, cosy and beautiful place that has a special place in my hart. Anna and Nini said yes immediately and since then they were so cool about making all my wishes come true {*smile}.
Their place is so pretty and I knew I don't need to do some extra decorations, but I wanted just some small personalised touches..and here enters Rita, with her great style and amazing work.
I just loved, loved, loved what she did (go here to see more).

These 3 ladies made my dream come true and I am so thankful for all they did. It was such a great dinner and night to remember!!!!

Welcoming the Spring

Even that Spring is still really shy, and until now gave us what winter didn't... RAIN, we wanted to welcome it and go to the Spring Party that Herdade do Freixo organised yesterday.

We had a lot of wind, some rain and a bit of sun... but we didn't mind. We enjoyed the day surrounded by nature.

For me, the chance to go to an organic farm, meet the farmer and people who work there, is something really special. I can learn how they treat the animals and from where my food comes from. Isn't that great?
I always loved that feeling.

My mum used to buy food always from the same farmers. Really often we would go to pick milk and cheese from one lady, or she would bring it to us. The feeling of knowing the place from where the milk, vegetables, fruits,... come from and who made/cultivated is extraordinary.

We also had the chance to sneak into Caravana Bazaar, Filipa's atelier...and I loved the things that she makes.

So, yes... we had a great day yesterday!!!

Apesar de a Primavera ainda estar bastante tímida, e até agora só nos ter dado o que o Inverno não deu... CHUVA, queríamos dar-lhe as boas vindas e ir à Festa da Primavera que a Herdade do Freixo organizou ontem.

Houve muito vento, alguma chuva e um bocadinho de Sol... mas não nos importamos. Nós gozamos o dia rodeados pela natureza.

Para mim, a possibilidade de ir a uma quinta biológica, conhecer o produtor e as pessoas que lá trabalham, é algo realmente especial. Posso ver como eles tratam dos animais e de onde a minha comida vem. Não é óptimo?
Eu sempre adorei esse sentimento.

A minha mãe costumava comprar a comida sempre aos mesmos produtores. Frequentemente íamos comprar leite e queijo a uma senhora, ou ela trazía-nos. A sensação de conhecer o lugar de onde o leite, legumes, frutas, ... vem e quem os fez/cultivou é extraordinário.

Também tivemos a oportunidade de espreitar a Caravana Bazaar, o atelier da Filipa... e adorei as coisas que ela faz.

Por isso, sim... tivemos um dia fantástico ontem!

Quinta do Arneiro and our Saturday Lunch

Some weeks ago, on a Christmas Fair in Lisbon, we noticed a beautiful, colourful stand. When we approach it, I realised that they sell organic products made at their farm. I spoke a bit with the lady who was selling (farm owner) and then, right next to her, I noticed a really nice designed poster about the organic lunch on the farm that they were organising on the 17th of December.

I wanted to go. I was almost counting the days.

As soon as we came to Quinta do Arneiro I knew I was right about this. It was such a beautiful place and I couldn't stop taking photos.

Fire was burning, big vintage soup pots were on it, smell of hot wine with spices was everywhere.

We ate hot homemade bread, sopa da pedra (typical Portuguese soup) and we asked for more.

Conversation started, we felt we knew everybody there. Kids were playing, running around, giving food to the pigs... they were happy. And we were also. We couldn't leave the place...

Hope to go there soon!!

*****

Há algumas semanas, numa Feira de Natal em Lisboa, reparamos num bonito stand, colorido. Quando nos aproximamos, percebi que eles estavam a vender produtos biológicos feitos na sua quinta. Falei um bocadinho com a senhora que estava a vender (a proprietário da quinta) e reparei que, ao lado dela, estava um cartaz muito bonito e bem concebido sobre o almoço biológico na quinta que eles estavam a organizar no dia 17 de dezembro.

Eu queria ir. Estava quase a contar os dias.

Assim que chegamos à Quinta do Arneiro eu sabia que estava certo sobre isso. É um lugar muito bonito e não conseguia parar de tirar fotografias.

O fogo estava a arder, com grandes panelas vintage de sopa por cima, o cheiro a vinho quente com especiarias estava em todo o lado.

Comemos pão quente caseiro, sopa da pedra (sopa típica Portuguesa) e repetimos.

A conversa começou, sentimos que conheciamos toda a gente. As crianças estavam a brincar, a correr, a dar comida aos porcos... estavam muito felizes. E nós também. Não conseguíamos sair de lá...

Espero voltar em breve!

My weekend and Royale Café

The weekend was absolutely great. We went to the market, fairs, museum, lunch with friends, eating my favourite ice cream, beach and lunch at my usual Saturday spot... Royale Café. It's a small cozy restaurant in the old part of Lisbon, but with really modern design and a small beautifully green terrace. I love to go there and I feel really good every time I enter. People working there are so friendly and make you feel at home.

The food... well, from toasts, salads, great octopus and codfish (my favourites)... there is lot to choose from.

How was your weekend? Did you already know Royale Café? Do you like it?

O fim-de-semana foi absolutamente fantástico. Fomos ao mercado, feiras, museu, um almoço com amigos, comer o meu gelado preferido, praia e almoço no lugar habitual de sábado... o Royale Café. É um restaurante pequeno e acolhedor, na parte antiga de Lisboa, mas com um design muito moderno e um pequeno terraço lindamente verde. Gosto de lá ir e sinto-me muito bem cada vez que entro. As pessoas que lá trabalham são muito afáveis e fazem-me sentir em casa.

A comida... bem, das torradas às saladas, um fantástico polvo e bacalhau (os meus preferidos)... há muito por onde escolher.


Como foi o vosso fim-de-semana? Já conhecia o Royale Café? Gosta?