Yesterday, a good friend asked for some suggestions on cheese and Spanish wine selections for a party by email. Specifically, he wanted a handful of wines and cheeses that he could find in and around …

As mentioned last week, I made it to another restaurant thanks to the one week extension of Lisbon’s first Restaurant Week. And I’m elated I did, because what a completely different experience I had! This …

May 21st thru May31st marked the very first Restaurant Week in Lisbon, with some of the city’s most popular fine-dining restaurants offering 3-course lunches and dinners both at a special price of €20. Restaurant Week …

Enoteca Chafariz do Vinho is located just up the street from Os Goliardos near Praça da Alegria and right down the hill from Principe Real. What makes Chafariz do Vinho attractive is its unique location …

Regardless of where you are in the world, someone wants to know,  “Are there vegetarian options available?.” When I first think about Portuguese cuisine, vegetarian or vegetables are definitely not what come to mind, while …

Bacalhau is Portuguese for dry, salted cod, and referred to as Bacalao in Spain or Bacala in Italy. Today we take a look at it from a Portuguese perspective. Historically, Bacalhau was the staple for …

Normally when walking down the street in Spain, if I see a restaurant with a giant crayfish sculpture outside its  doors, I laugh and keep walking. This type of attraction is generally an indication that …

I’ve raved about Portugal’s amazingly delicious and affordable cuisine, from sunny seafood lunches to rich and meaty dinners, not to mention delectable desserts from the pastelerias.  But what happens when the all the restaurants, …

Many people in Portugal have referred to me as a non-stereotypical American – one that often frequents McDonalds wherever they are in the world. However, truth be told, I love a delicious, well-made burger every …

Ever since I was little, I would look forward to a particular treat during the Easter season. It wasn’t the chocolate candy, or the colored eggs, but the homemade Easter bread made by my Italian …

Birthdays come with expectations. Maybe a party, maybe a gift, maybe just a day to one’s self. For me, it’s always a meal. Every year, I either take the day to cook for myself, or …

There is a romance to Spain that is all its own.  From Bizet’s Carmen to Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls, the world has a vision of Spain steeped in exoticism that draws many of …

Over the past year, I have gushed to no end about Portugal’s delicious pastry industry to you. No matter where you travel in Portugal, you can always find plenty of Pastelerias, the home of the …

My entire life has been surrounded by food. The rich smell of simmering meat and the pop of an uncorked wine bottle take me back to family gatherings spent huddled in the kitchen listening to …

Ahh Setúbal. I honestly don’t believe that I’ve given this Portuguese city justice throughout my past articles with Catavino. For being one of my most frequented cities outside of Lisbon, I’ve only mentioned it as …

There’s no question in my mind that Spain is a country with a unique gastronomic heritage. Most Spaniards that have entered into any kind of discussion on the subject with me have expressed a real …