Monte Mar Lisboa is situated at water’s edge on the River Tagus, boasting a spectacular view of the 25 de Abril bridge from its riverside tables. The view from inside the restaurant is almost as good, though, so don’t fret if you happen to get caught in the rain (like we did). Monte Mar’s secret menu, available until April 14 to Zomato Gold members, was the perfect anecdote to a cloudy day: flavorful, filling, and accompanied by flawless service in the restaurant’s gorgeous, upscale space.
We were given the choice between glasses of red or white wine and served bread, olives, and a sizable stuffed crab bowl with accompanying toasts to start. We’d barely made a dent in the appetizers when the main dish arrived: a heaping portion of “octopus rice,” which also included mussels and shrimp, served family-style in a dutch oven.
The feast was topped off with dessert, of course, and we were permitted to try two different specialty cakes. One was reminiscent of ovos moles, filled with sugary egg yolk and sprinkled with powdered sugar, and the other a layered mousse-style cake topped with chocolate (please don’t ask us to choose a favorite). The experience was more than we expected, and the meal was definitely more than we could eat. Catch this menu while you can.
*Reservations must be made a day in advance. Lunch menus are only available on the weekends, but dinner menus are available daily until April 14.
