June 20, 2018 Wednesday
We assembled at the lobby of Corpo Santo so we could all walk together to our dinner hosted by FPG Insurance led by their president Ramon Dimacali.
Susan and Ramon Dimacali, Francis Papa, Lina
Salve (covered), Carla Papa, Ayleen and Bong
Although the lobby of Corpo Santo was small, we liked congregating there before and after our tours.
The nook was cozy and comfy.
They always have some surprise complimentary treats every single day and night.
Heineken beer is on the house.
We walked to our next food adventure, the Cantinho do Avillez.
It was as steep climb on slippery cobbled stones and it was good my husband was the ever gentleman making sure I didn’t slide down.
It was a short walk pero nakakahingal kasi sobrang matarik. Our expectations became higher kasi hiningal kami. It was like “this better be good” or hindi sulit ng hingal.
The first thing that I noticed when we entered the small area was the blue and white plates hanging on one side of the wall, pasado na agad sa akin itong Cantinho do Avillez.
Cynthia Nakpil reserved two long tables for our group. We were right beside the open kitchen.
The red ref was a nice centerpiece.
I wasn’t so hungry because I grabbed a few pastries from the hotel before coming here.
Our lunches and dinners usually come with bottomless wines.
What’s for dinner?
For a few moments my mind traveled back in time when I touched the small saucer made of tin (sartin). It reminded me of my childhood. We had plates, bowls, cups and saucers made of tin when I was still little.
Cynthia sets herself apart from the ordinary tours by trying her best to scout for the best restaurants in town. Majority of the restaurants she has brought us were so far very good.
Cynthia with daughter Iya
Chef Jose Avillez, the man behind Cantinho and several other restaurants in Lisbon.
Mini Bar
He also owns Bairro, a bar / restaurant located in Time Out Market Place.
Thumbs up for providing us with a copy of the menu.
Paul Chuatico, Carla Chuatico, Jonas, Salve, Lina, our host Mon Dimacali, Joanne and Dennis.
I went out to inhale fresh air. I was having migraine attack and was beginning to feel faint so my husband told me to go outside. It was a lot cooler outside.
I came back after 10 minutes and the dessert had been served.
There was melted ice cream at the bottom.
Cantinho do Avillez failed to impress me. I didn’t like the food but most of my companions enjoyed the dinner. We have different tastes and expectations.
I had migraine attack because it was hot and humid inside aggravated by the location of our table, we were seated next to the open kitchen. The air was stale. The place was in full capacity because the chef/ owner Jose Avillez is rated and all his restaurants are very popular. One of his distinguished restaurants, Belcanto, has two Michelin stars.
I went to the toilet after dinner and I got confused which door to choose. The one with a bird was bigger and nicer but it had a urinal. The one with a chick was smaller.
I went inside the one with a rooster, kala ko kasi chicken. There was a urinal and nagtaka ako kasi there were images of sexy women in different poses.
Nalaglag talaga IQ ko, rooster pala ito. Kala ko yung rooster ay chicken kaya for women. Yung chick kala ko bird. Di ba bird refers to men’s hotdog.
I got it mixed up. My husband and Oyen suspected that I used the men’s toilet. Tumpak. My daughter laughed at me but my husband scolded me. “Nagkamali ka na naman”. Eh kasi yung drawing chicken yung isa bird. Baligtad pala.
The walk back to the hotel was faster of course but not easier. One mistake and I could tumble down and reach the hotel a lot sooner.
We passed by a tailor shop on our way back to Corpo Santo.
More graffiti
Thank you to FPG Insurance for hosting our dinner.
