Retail is Detail in Lisbon

Posted by John Blogg

Travelled for retail business to Lisbon, recently. Lovely city which combines the best of all worlds! The best of the past and the best of today. Great architecture, fantastic avenues and quaint small streets in the old city with modern and traditional retail.

Modern retail and traditional side by side in a vsist to Lisbon, Portugal - a vist to the past and present...

Hotel “Jeronimos 8”
A stylish modern boutique hotel developed in an 18th century Royal Palace opposite the Jeronimo Monastery, built in 16th century grandeur of a world city! Location in the Belem area. The hotel is modern and with great clean lines everywhere. Rooms are neat and well fitted with great beds and linen.Which is, in my opinion, a must for weary travellers.

Allegedly the only design hotel in the area, and first to arrive in Lisbon.

Fun is the check-in, unobtrusive but never the less convenient

The hotel is located walking distance from many great museums and monumental buildings as well as the Belem tower on the river Tagus. It also is a 3 minute walk from another Lisbon Institution, Pasteis de Belem.

Pasteis de Belem established in 1837!

This great pastry store founded in 1837 makes the world famous sweet pastry pasties that are covered by cinnamon and made according to a “secret “recepy already since 1837! They sell over 1500 each day every day of the year. Wonderful with a small coffee (eat your heart out Starbucks!) for less than 2 US$ for pastry AND Coffee…..

Nothing much has changed here in either taste or look!

Food is important to the Portuguese thus lots of trendy and minimalist restaurants with great value food to choose from. I, however, chose tradition without any pretence! One of the many Casa De Pasto, this one in the old part of Janelas Verdes.

Casa De Pasto

Just a door and small – steamed up – window in a wall indicates that there is a "peoples" restaurant there. The name of the place is translated “House where you can graze”. FOOD is the main focus, not the design or atmosphere. Traditional great Portuguese cuisine served in a noisy and for most of us coarse manner! Every rule of retail in the 21st century is ignored. No light but Neon! and no service... But it's honest and real.

6 Tables and wait your turn!

This is what‘s all about FOOD Xoco or INK FISH with lots of …Ink!

Price for 5 people, includes wine???? Euro 57, 00 for a 3 course meal! Less than US$ 10 per head! And Cash payment only!

Now for the contrast ...

A combination of Lunch cafeteria with Gourmet store. In the Campo d'Ourique area of Lisbon http://www.azeitevinagre.com/