Petiscaria Ideal – Portuguese-style tapas

By Spotted by Locals | Published: August 29, 2010

Petiscaria Ideal Lisbon (by Andreia Tavares)

For a commitment-free, try-it-all meal, Petiscaria Ideal is perfect. “Petiscos” is Portuguese for tapas and my favourite way to eat a meal.

As the sister restaurant of Taberna Ideal (check the Tabern Ideal article) just next door, the concept – home-style fare prepared with local produce – is much the same if more informal. With tiled walls and dishcloths for napkins, it’s like you’re grabbing a bite right at the kitchen table.

The menu is original yet seeped in tradition, extending from soups, salads, “tibornas” (toasts basted in olive oil and different toppings) fish, shellfish, meat and veg dishes and deserts. A choice that is plentiful and hearty, in small helpings. It’s all good, so take your taste buds on a culinary walkabout by just shutting your eyes, extending your finger and letting it fall where it may. Repeat. And again (2-3 dishes per person).

Taking no reservations, you’ll just have to try your luck at finding space along the rows of high tables flanking either side of the place (with handy shelving beneath for handbags). Given this set-up, seating becomes exponentially trickier the more of you there are, so you’re probably best off in small numbers (unless you’re able to nab the larger table off in the corner).

Cash only.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Petiscaria Ideal | Restaurants (Portuguese) | Meal & wine € 25
Rua da Esperança, 100/102 | Santos & Alcântara | +351213971504
Tue – Sat 19:30 – 02:00 (kitchen closes at 00:00)

This article by Andreia White Tavares was originally published on Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Photo:  Andreia White Tavares

Download an up-to-date Lisbon cityguide by locals for Euro 3.99

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Helena Englund Hjalmarsson – 30 second interview

By James | Published: August 24, 2010

In your opinion, what’s new and exciting in the field of plain language?

Helena Englund

The new and exciting thing in Sweden right now is the new Language Law. We are strengthening the infrastructure and making it easier to argue for clarity and plain language.

Why should people attend Clarity2010?

People should come to Clarity2010 to get new ideas and learn how other people and countries are achieving clarity in legal documents.

Why should people come and see your presentation?

My presentation is about simple banking. Most banks are reluctant to rewrite their terms and conditions because it takes time and courage. ‘Simple Banking’ is a success story about a bank that had the opportunity and the courage – but, of course, there were also some obstacles on the way.

Read More »

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Miradouro Senhora do Monte – Lisbon at your feet

By Spotted by Locals | Published: August 20, 2010

Miradouro Senhora do Monte Lisbon (by Andreia Tavares)

Perched on a hillside in the Graça neighborhood, Senhora do Monte (Our Lady of the Hill) is Lisbon’s highest lookout point and hands down the spot offering the best view of the city. With a field of vision spanning nearly 250 degrees, not even a fish-eye lens can take it all in.

I love it here. It’s peaceful and romantic and an awesome place from which to watch the sunset. Being slightly out of the way, it’s one of the city’s least used viewpoints, meaning it never gets too crowded and you can almost always find a seat on one of the benches.

There is no café but the bar at neighboring hotel Albergaria Senhora do Monte(which also serves light snacks) is open to the public. 4 floors up, the view is pretty spectacular from there, too.

A small statue of the Virgin stands on the grounds, as does a chapel dedicated to Saint Gens, an ancient bishop and martyr. Curiously, this chapel attracts some rather “fertile” visitors. As the story goes, S. Gens’ mother died in childbirth, giving rise to a tradition that relies on a reversal of that (mis)fortune, whereby pregnant women who sit on his chair (inside the chapel) are ensured a safe delivery. How’s that for taking life’s lemons and making lemonade?

It’s a short walk from Largo da Graça – trams 28 & 34.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Miradouro Senhora do Monte | Coffee & tea, Relaxing
Rua da Senhora do Monte à Graça | Alfama & Graça
24 hours daily

This article by Andreia White Tavares was originally published on Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Photo:  Andreia White Tavares

Download an up-to-date Lisbon cityguide by locals for Euro 3.99

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Casa Fernando Pessoa – A Lively Literary Tribute

By Spotted by Locals | Published: August 20, 2010

Casa Fernando Pessoa Lisbon (by Sara Roffino)

Casa Fernando Pessoa blends historical artifacts and images with a bright space and colorful art exhibitions to give visitors a lively and contemporary perspective of Portugal’s literary darling, Fernando Pessoa.

The building is where Pessoa spent the last years of his life, though only one room has been designed as an historical model. Everything else is modern, including the expansive library, which is an ideal read/writing spot on a scorching summer afternoon.

Two rooms host art exhibitions; one on the top floor and one on the entrance level, which presents an array of Pessoa portraits, including a Pessoa foosball table. Yes, a Pessoa foosball table. One team is all Pessoas (perhaps symbolic of the many different characters he took on) and the other team is a compilation of other Portuguese literary stars. Art, poetry, and a foosball table- what more could you need?

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Casa Fernando Pessoa | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
Rua Coelho da Rocha, 16 | Estrela | +351213913270
Mon – Sat: 10:00 – 18:00

This article by Sara Roffino was originally published on Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Photo:  Sara Roffino

Download an up-to-date Lisbon cityguide by locals for Euro 3.99

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Doce Real – When hungry, stop here!

By Spotted by Locals | Published: August 20, 2010

Doce Real Lisbon (by Rita Esgalhado)

From the outside, you might think this is just one more of the hundreds of patisseries that Lisbon has, yet you are wrong. It is one of the best kept secrets of Príncipe Real.

Located near the garden, it is a corner patisserie, where looking through the window you can see the most perfect wholewheat muffins, astonishing cream tarts (“Pastel de Nata”) as well as amazing warm brioche sandwich filled with cheese and ham (“Merenda”).

Also Doce Real makes its own bread, so if you are up for it, just ask for a simple bread with cheese and an orange juice.

We can’t write a lot more about this place: just go there and then you will agree with me: words aren’t enough to describe how good everything really is. This really is where all the portuguese delicatessens do meet for you to find out.

Vee’s favorites: Try the merenda and ask them to warm it up and ask for “Vigor” Milk (bottled chocolate milk). Best combination possible!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Doce Real | Snacks | Merenda € 1.00
Rua D. Pedro V 121 | Príncipe Real | +351213465923
Mon – Fri 07:00 – 19:00, Sat 08:00 – 13:00

This article by Rita Esgalhado & Verónica do Carmo was originally published on Spotted by Locals Lisbon

Photo:  Rita Esgalhado

Download an up-to-date Lisbon cityguide by locals for Euro 3.99

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Clarity2010 program available

By James | Published: August 3, 2010

The Clarity2010 program is available here.

We have over 90 international speakers sharing their experiences in plain legal writing, law and information graphics.

The conference covers subjects for newcomers to plain language and also for more experienced professionals.

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Call for speakers closed – Program available soon

By James | Published: June 11, 2010

With the call for speakers closed, we are delighted to announce that we received more than 80 proposals. We’re currently going through all of them and the program will be available soon. If you missed the deadline but strongly believe you have something the world needs to hear about, contact us as soon as possible.

The conference is four months away and the event is gaining momentum, with delegates already registering to take advantage of the earlybird discount. In the last few weeks, we managed to secure two new sponsors, the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the Portuguese Social Security Institute. We also some lined up some high-profile speakers, including the Portuguese Secretary of State for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, João Tiago Silveira, who will tell us about Simplegis, the government’s new legislation simplification initiative.

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Call for speakers extended

By Rita | Published: May 28, 2010

Clarity is an association of lawyers, judges and lay people dedicated to researching and promoting the use of plain legal language. Clarity2010, its fourth international conference, will focus on multidisciplinary ways of achieving clarity in legal, administrative and corporate communications.

If you’d like to contribute as a speaker, please submit your proposal by 31 May using the proposal form.

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Clarity2010 – All done

By James | Published: April 19, 2010

Thanks to everyone that took part in the conference. There were some fantastic presentations and we’ve had an overwhelming amount of positive feedback.

Keep an eye on the blog because we will be updating it with some of the presentations and other conference related news.

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