The Place: I love, love, love Lisbon. This summer was my fourth time in this amazing city. While most will compare its rolling hills, iconic bridge, and waterfront location to San Francisco, I also think it has a lot in common with New York.
I love wandering the neighborhoods to people watch and see the vibe change. And of course, there are restaurants on every corner. When looking back at my most recent few days there, I think about the hidden gem we discovered call A Obra right along the vibrant Green Street, the old-school chicken restaurant loaded with families called A Valenciana, the somehow not too touristy medieval tavern (Trobadores) with their flaming sausage, and our third time at the incredibly fresh and diverse seafood restaurant Ramiro. This year I discovered the sweet buttery scarlet prawns.
But while those eating establishments were stand-outs, the one dish that may have topped them all for me this year was the surprisingly amazing gelato I discovered on my walk after dinner one night.
Nannarella opened in 2013 and has grown in popularity. Families and tourists grab their Italian-style gelato and enjoy it at the nearby park.
The Dish: I was not prepared for how good this Gelato was going to be. I was in Lisbon after all, not Florence.
The flavors walked the line between highly traditional and just a bit surprising. The coffee was amazing – dense and creamy, while the Mango sorbet was juicy and smooth with tangy tropical notes. Underneath those two flavors, I went all out with some Fior di Basilico (or Basil with Aromatic Cream).
To me, the basil was the winner (if this was a competition). It was restrained but also herbal and complex in each spoonful. I’ve had basil and herb ice cream before, but it’s never worked quite as well as it has here.
I knew Lisbon was a major food city with some unbelievable restaurants and traditional dishes. I also knew that pastries were top notch. But I guess I’ll have to gelato to my list of reasons I love this city.
| NANNARELLA |
| Rua Nova da Piedade (between Rua de São Bente and Rua Quintinha) Lisbon, Portugal +351926878553 |
| nannarella.pt/ |
