Menu - D Sesnando

I unfortunately had super high expectations due to the hype of this restaurant, it was good but as I had put them so high it probably wasn’t as good as I antici... read more I unfortunately had super high expectations due to the hype of this restaurant, it was good but as I had put them so high it probably wasn’t as good as I anticipated but it was good.

We had a lovely lunch at D. Sesnando on Monday, but before I tell you about that, lemme just 'splain. I have mentioned on my blog (martinfairley.com) about bein... read more We had a lovely lunch at D. Sesnando on Monday, but before I tell you about that, lemme just 'splain. I have mentioned on my blog (martinfairley.com) about being in elf-imposed Purdah during Covid and one of the things we missed was going out for lunch and so when the rules were relaxed and the weather was warm enough to eat out on their terrace, we went back and enjoyed it so much that we decided to make it a weekly occasion. Now one of the first things I need to explain is that I am not all that keen on soup but soup is the only starter on the Prato do dia at D. Sesnando and just about every lunchtime venue so we start with soup. The second thing I have to tell you is that Dona Minda (that 's Carlos ' mum and she is the chef) does not make ordinary soup. She makes extraordinarily excellent soup and the leek soup on Monday was no exception. It was gorgeous. What happens is that we park up just outside at around high noon (cue music) and grab a table on the well shaded terrace. When they are ready, one of the guys comes out with the olives and bread whilst Carlos comes out with the soup and a welcoming smile. He then takes the order for our main course, and confirms the usual ½ litre of house red and bottle of cold water. Those are standard with us, as is the coffee order later. I think that the only time we would reject the soup is when it is caldo verde. We do not like caldo verde. The main course is simple Portuguese fare. Last week I had 2 succulent pork chops and this week I had fried chicken. The alternatives were smoked salmon salad or octopus with rice and either of those would have been excellent but we fancied chicken. It was served with the ubiquitous rice and chips, so good solid scran. We no longer have a pud, although for an extra €1,50 they are good value but not good for us but relax over a couple of cups of decaf. The total bill is €18. I am going to have to break it to Carlos via this piece that we will not be there next week as we are going Japanese but we will be back the week after.