Reviews - Charmo

I really like the decor of this restaurant especially the chandeliers, it is also deceivingly tardus like, with lots of small rooms. We dined there on a Thursda... read more I really like the decor of this restaurant especially the chandeliers, it is also deceivingly tardus like, with lots of small rooms. We dined there on a Thursday evening, and it was more or less full. We ended up in the last of the numerous rooms, which is probably not ideal as it does lack a little on the atmosphere side. Plus the service may not be quite as attentive as in one of the main rooms. Saying that though, our waiter was utterly charming. We didn 't receive a cover, which is odd for Portugal, I 'm not sure if this was a result of sitting in the back or not. I ordered the 'secretos ' of black pork served with a mushroom risotto and I have to say it was absolutely delicious. My husband ordered the pan fried steak which was also cooked a perfect medium rare and was a good chunk of steak. For dessert you need to go and view the trolley in the main part of the restaurant. There was a good selection and we enjoyed both of our desserts. All in all we had a lovely meal, just would have preferred to be sitting in the main part of the restaurant.<br/ <br/ I originally rated this restaurant with a 4.5 but after my last visit I decided to reduce the rating. My reasons are below. <br/ <br/ I have been twice more to this restaurant, a friend had the 'secretos ' black pork on my recommendation. Again it was really good, on my next visit I ordered the 'secretos ' and what I was served was terrible. There were three pieces of inedible meat. It was just fat and gristle, so much so that I couldn 't even cut it with the knife. It was such a disappointment as before it had been so fantastic. The restaurant did change the meal for me, but it was just such a disappointment as it had been so good on previous occasions and also the main reason I had decided to dine there again. It has really put me off from trying it again.

Very good bacalhau do brás, white wine and service. Liked the terrasse, the complete menu proposal for all tastes. Prices were okay. Would definitely recommend. read more Very good bacalhau do brás, white wine and service. Liked the terrasse, the complete menu proposal for all tastes. Prices were okay. Would definitely recommend.

Last weekend we came out at this restaurant by accident. It was a very pleasant experience. The waiting staff was friendly. Perhaps a little bit insecure, but p... read more Last weekend we came out at this restaurant by accident. It was a very pleasant experience. The waiting staff was friendly. Perhaps a little bit insecure, but professional enough. The owners are very concerned, which is nice to see. The tables are covered with care, the wine was very good and the food was prepared with care. I had the pata negra (which I had the day before in another restaurant, what a difference!)which was excellent!! Also the gambas that my partner had were very delicious. The main courses were very tastefull. The price/quality ratio is good. The restaurant is situated at a small square opposite of the restaurant; on the square there are a few tables which enables guests to eat outside. The square is bounded with a monumental wall which was beautifully enlightened in the evening.We had a very nice evening to remember. We will certainly recommend this restaurant.

This was our last dinner in Portugal and it was our best. We were unable to get into a restaurant that had been referred to us, as we did not have a reservation... read more This was our last dinner in Portugal and it was our best. We were unable to get into a restaurant that had been referred to us, as we did not have a reservation (Satruday night, what were we thinking? . The owner of that restaurant referred us to Charmo. They were able to get us into a back room (think in terms of the room from Animal House where the fraternity rejects were sent ; it was glorious! Still, particularly on weekends, make a reservation. I am a huge octopus fan, and have eaten it throughout Portugal. I don't know what they do to it here, but it is butter-tender and sweet beyond belief. Just served with potatoes in a sauce with olive oil, plenty of lemon, fresh herbs, and cherry tomatoes. If it is on the menu, get it! For a starter my wife and I shared an appetizer of pork preto with mushroom risotto, at the waiter's recommendation. It was wonderful! My wife had the game bird and churisco alhiera. Again, we have enjoyed alheira throughout our trip, but this was unquestionably the best we had, and it is hard to identify what made it so much better; it just was. We were too full for dessert, but the desserts we saw looked lovely. The portions are just too generous. The staff is attentive and thorough, but does not take itself too seriously, which also we enjoyed very much. My only regret is that we did not find this restaurant earlier, so we could have eaten here again. They do take credit cards, and the cost, for the quality of food, was quite reasonable, even by Portuguese standards. A shared appetizer, two entres, mineral water and a glass of vinho verde was just about 40EU.

We've been in Lissabon for one week. Here we ate the best food so far. For the last night, perfect end of a perfect week. We would always come back to Lissabon... read more We've been in Lissabon for one week. Here we ate the best food so far. For the last night, perfect end of a perfect week. We would always come back to Lissabon just for the food. The Octupus was great!

The restaurant is quite unique , beautiful ambience . Very sweet and professional staff . The food is obviously amazing . I think it's perfect for couples , som... read more The restaurant is quite unique , beautiful ambience . Very sweet and professional staff . The food is obviously amazing . I think it's perfect for couples , somehow I don't feel like it as a place for large groups because somehow that takes away the intimacy of this place but I surely should recommend it .

We had dinner yesterday night (friday) after stumbling on the restaurant which has a very pleasant decor and were luckily seated inside very quickly without a r... read more We had dinner yesterday night (friday) after stumbling on the restaurant which has a very pleasant decor and were luckily seated inside very quickly without a reservation . We ordered the tuna steak with caramelised onions with julienne of roasted carrots and baby potatoes (Euro 16.50) and the seafood risotto (euro 14) . The tuna steak itself did not have a good texture and at best was very mediocre as a dish while the risotto itself was decent in taste but a little dry when it came to the table. Overall the food and dining experience was limited. DHoh