14/12/2024: On our annual vacation, my wife and I were fortunate enough to get a reservation for 3 nights at the Santiago de Alfama hotel. Audrey’s is their primary restaurant and we sampled 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner. Here are the pros and cons.
Pros:
- In keeping with the hotel, everything is beautiful in a subtle manner. Call it “down-to-earth elegance”.
- Breakfast: The a la carte menu offered some of the best breakfast foods we’ve ever had. Examples: Fresh granola and berries with Greek yogurt. THE BEST EVER! Home baked breads and pastries. Orange juice that’s pure and not too sweet. Bagel and lox to please the purists. Service was provided by a trio of very friendly, attentive and helpful young women.
- Lunch: We ate on the patio in front of the hotel. I had a super tasty vegetarian Thai dish while my wife had a big salad. They were accompanied by the best Sangria in ages. Sweet, but not too much.
- Dinner: The dining room is very attractive yet understated like the hotel. Comfortably modern European. Food was impeccable. Tomato salad was large and amazing. My wife’s dish focusing on baked cod was large and filling. My polenta with mushroom ragu was immense and full of flavor. Breads are baked daily and almost as good as dessert. Speaking of dessert, mine was a fantastic chocolate mousse while my wife had fresh berries with a massive amount of the best homemade whipped cream. Wine was a local Chardonnay - an excellent choice - for a reasonable $30.
- Prices for such a Michelin star experience are considerably lower than you’d expect in the US.
Con:
- While the food at dinner was fantastic, service was perfunctory. Our server, a pleasant young woman, covered the basics…but nothing more. During our 90 minute meal, she NEVER asked “how are you doing?” Can I get you anything?” We ordered a bottle of wine, but NOT ONCE did she offer to refill our glasses. She didn’t speak an unrequired word. The man seemingly managing the room barely acknowledged us. The guy clearing dishes was the ONLY ONE to ask if we wanted coffee or tea. The restaurant was nearly empty. Did we not spend enough? Did we do something wrong? What a way to put a damper on a glorious meal. However, as well-behaved Americans, we left a 15% tip.
The next day, we spoke with Martim Neves Carneiro from Guest Relations who was very receptive to our information. He said “they are part of a new nighttime crew and will need remedial help”. How very true.
Despite those hesitations, Audrey’s certainly deserves 5 stars.
29/09/2024: Vinimos aquí por accidente. Estábamos sentados fuera y la vista era genial.
Tuve el desayuno continental y fue bueno. Vino con té y jugo de naranja. Mi mamá tomó la tostada francesa y le encantó.
El personal de camareros era genial también.
Está cerca del Castillo, Portas do Sol, Tranvía 28 , y la Catedral de Lisboa.
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