So much for shedding for the wedding while in Portugal: um paraíso gastronomic

OINK


I don't know what I was thinking when I truly felt like I could continue this slimming down process for my wedding while I was away.  In my mind, every day was full of all this time that I would spend at the gym, taking long walks, swimming.  Delusions, I tell you.

Oh well.  There's always tomorrow, when I get home.  NYSC here I come.  All these pastries are going to require some SERIOUS cardio.

Mostly for myself to remember this trip in the future, but also for my foodie friends, I decided to compile the food porn onto one posting.  Enjoy!

First things first:  D'Oliveiras Madeira Winery and Tasting Room!

I don't know who this guy is, but he looks busy. And important. So I took a picture of him.

The gang having fun tasting different concentrations of Madeira, as well as different vintages.

Notable Stop #2: Pasteis de Belem.  Arguably, the best bakery in Portugal.  Period.  This was a quasi-religious experience, and if we needed any more proof of its awesomeness, our tour guide for the day, Ida sat down and ate them with us.  Fresh from the oven, these natas tasted completely different from those that are found elsewherere---and they are found virtually everywhere that sells any kind of dessert. Apparently, only 3 human beings are aware of the recipe.  

Notice that there is not much conversation happening right now.  That is because we are all communing with our own higher power through the magic of Sugar, Eggs, Butter, Flour, and whatever other secret ingredients go into these natas.

Ok, just one more picture.

This is a repeat appearance from lunch in Porto Moniz, Madeira--Escaba with Salsa Maracuja.

The lesson I learned here is that not all good wine needs to be expensive.  0.85 euros is a pretty good deal, if you ask me.

The Institute de Vinho in Madeira.

This is the blue ribbon winner for me as far as food went for the trip.  Cooked to perfection (thank GOD), and something I would NEVER order anywhere else.

Aside from the lovely presentation here, I have included this picture because mom thought she was ordering Rosemary flavored gelato, when in fact, we learned that night that Rosmarin means Raspberry.  Ah.  Thankfully, it was still tasty.

Another delicious dessert.  Just because.

A delicious seafood crepe from Rustica Tipica in Funchal

He may have no body left, but he's still blinking at me.

Intermission:  a really heated game of Dominoes happening downtown in Funchal.  These guys are NOT kidding around.

This picture marked an important event for me.   I will share it with you, but you have to know the whole story:

I remember having a major epiphany in 7^th grade, sitting in Mr. Wiseblatt’s band playing ‘American Patrol.’  The moment is crystallized in my mind, and I can recall it with perfect clarity.  I remember thinking:  “ Holy crap, this is awesome.  How do I make it so that I can do this forever?”  Little band geek that I was.

Well, much time has passed, and the enthusiasm has waxed and waned—some highlights here and there, but it has been a while since I have felt the same thing.

 Today, I had another such epiphany, but it was about another pursuit entirely.  I captured the moment in the above photo.   I thought to myself:  “Holy crap, this is awesome.  How do I make a gig out of this?”  Of course, this is just an adult version of the exact same 7^th grade thought.  How DO I make a gig out of this?!? If you have any ideas, I am all ears.  Can one blog for a living?  Travel?  Eat pastries?  I’ll have to work on my video narration, I suppose.  My writing skills could also use some lovin’.  Maybe Miss Williams can teach me all over again, lol :D

Moving along..........

The Last Supper (for Me, Mom, and Fatima)
@ Doca Peixe

This was right at the entry.  You walk in the door and pick your fish.  The very fish that you pick is the fish you eat for dinner.  Remarkable.  And they tasted heavenly.  We all took Paolo's (pictured below) recommendation and had grilled red snapper and mullet with potatoes and vegetables.  Completely awesome.

Portuguese oysters to begin.

voila!  

Couldn't resist the photo of this too....

Another suggestion from Paolo, a lovely port to finish us off.

You'll notice that I ate, like, half of this before I remembered to take a photo of it.  My apologies.