Oct 10th 2014, 20:56:12
Just back from dinner. Very hospitable restaurateur.
I wanted a half caraffe of vino tinto but did not explain very well (after three years in Portugal I have three words of Portuguese). So I got a glass instead. Boo. But the glas was really good. Hurrah. And I had a feijoada, sort of stew based on beans. It was served like a curry (first time I'd seen this) with pirri pirri sauce, diced tomatoes and onions and some sort of bread crumby thing served as side dishes. So it went down well and I washed it down with a couple more glasses of the excellent Alentejo. Now I made a small mistake. I didn't want any supramessa (pudding) but I did want a coffee and I asked for an aguadente. Well the guy explained that he made his own aguadente. And he served a generous measure (measures in Portugal are not like anywhere else I have lived). But he had noticed that I liked the tinto. So he insisted I had another glass on him. Which I did. Then, of course, he thought I should have a second measure of aguadente on him. And would not take no for an answer. And when I had managed to get the bill and pay it (some ludicrously tiny amount) he decided my meal was incomplete without a small glass of port. And again I could not find a way to stop the guy.
Well I feel like I have dined like a king but now I have to play some turns. Pray God all I have to do is tech/explore/save turns/whatever. If there are decisions or arithmetic to do I'm done for.