I returned to @oficiolisboa with a secret desire to once again try a stupidly simple but delicious dish called "Pleurotus with chicken caramel".
I ended up eating that one and trying nine others plus a dessert...
There's something about @hugo_candeias project, starting with its descriptive - atypical tavern - that tries to resolve the countless contradictions, paradoxes and expectations of those who enter a restaurant.
We want comfort and predictability but also surprise, we expect some sophistication and creativity but we revere the rustic and the simple, we look for novelty but we cosy up to tradition.
Sometimes we have little appetite, sometimes we're starving, and in any case we want to leave feeling satiated. But we hate feeling heavy when we leave.
"Maybe a fingerfood will suffice, maybe some cold dishes, maybe some small hot dishes to share." Or "One main course, but a well-served portion"...
At Ofício you'll find a bit of all that, well sorted. A Bib Gourmand 2024 in Lisbon's Chiado neighbourhood, with a well thought-out a la carte menu. With creativity and good technique but no ostentation.
Of course, if you're like me and end up trying almost everything, you can too.
Photos:
Rib-eye toast / Sea spaghetti, parmesan and Joselito jowl / Smoked eel and camarinha (small shrimp) on a crunchy bed of torresmo (Crispy Crackling)/ Quail Vinegar rice / Sea Vegetable Taco (Wrapped in lettuce, with marinated fish in tomato sauce, chipotle mayonese and toasted almonds)