Monday, July 15: After we rest a bit at Jo’s house, we take a long walk into town to have dinner at a wonderful restaurant called A Taska, which means “a simple place to eat.”
Jo tells me that the menu here is all about the sauces. We first peruse the leather-bound menu.
Everyone who follows me knows that I take my dining experiences while traveling seriously! I love to eat and I enjoy the artful presentation of food, the ambiance and decor in restaurants, and the relaxation of sharing a good meal accompanied by a glass of wine. I think everyone here, including Jo, Mick, the owner and waiter, get a hoot out of me running around photographing everything. Like Jo says in her post, Meeting a Catbird: “Charm turned up full (with maybe a little extra confidence from the port), she proceeded to photograph the decor, the menu, the food, and of course, Luis and Phillipe. “She’s funny” said the latter, rolling his dark eyes and minding not a bit.”
I think Jo’s right that the port, along with the fun-loving company of her and Mick, do give me a little boost of confidence! 🙂
I order the Taska Sauce with Chicken Breast. The Taska sauce consists of cream, mustard, Oporto Wine and Prawns. Yum!
After the delicious dinner, we walk through the town and stop into a little shop, Casa das Portas (House of Doors?), which sells some beautiful photographs of Portuguese doors and windows that are transferred to canvas. I love them and want to buy one or two, but Jo is not going to allow me to add anything else to my suitcase!! I don’t blame her, as this afternoon, I set aside some stuff I’d like to ship back to the USA tomorrow morning before we leave for Faro, even though this morning, I found the post office here does not ship by surface, only by air, at the exorbitant cost of 78 euros. Which of course means queuing at the post office again. I know, call me crazy!
We continue our stroll through the town. It’s beautiful all lit up at night, and I enjoy seeing the Portuguese families out strolling, eating, laughing and chattering.
Jo got my mouth watering all day over the promise of almond and fig ice cream, so she takes me straightaway to her favorite little kiosk to sample some. Sadly, tonight, the almond and fig flavor is missing in action. 😦
We stroll around looking for the same flavor in other spots, and we find something close:
We return to Jo’s house where I sleep contentedly after a lovely day. Tomorrow, I’ll head to Evora in the Alentejo.
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in search of a thousand cafés 
I’m sure Luis and Philippe will be delighted with this, Cathy. It’s a shame they haven’t got a website or Facebook page. We’ll have to get them organised!
Your shots came out great. I really love them 🙂 I’m just going to pass this over to Mick so he can have a look too. Many thanks, honeybun. 🙂
I hope you’ll show them the post, Jo, if you can. It is too bad they don’t have a website or Facebook page. I like these photos of you, Jo. I think they’re very flattering and you can feel free to borrow them to use as you see fit!
Thanks, Cathy. I do too 🙂
I’ll have been blogging 2 years next month and I think a shake up is due. I’m sort of thinking about it.
What do you mean a shake-up is due, Jo? Are you going to change your blog? I hope you’re not considering quitting blogging!
Nah, I’m no quitter! 🙂
Just thought I should look at direction/focus more. Still thinking.
Hmmm, I’d love to know what you’re going to do next, Jo! I guess I’ll have to wait to see what evolves. It’s fun to come up with something new! I’m a little lost in America… have to figure out what to do here as well. 🙂
How nice that you two spent some time together!
Yes, it was really great fun! Jo is such a warm and lively lady. 🙂