Brandi C.
Yelp
Highly recommend Clube de Jornalistas! It was one of the best meals we had during our trip to Portugal (and we had a lot of great meals), and just an all-around fun experience and perfect way to end our trip.
As others have said, it's a bit out of the way, so make a reservation, get a taxi, and when you arrive, ring the bell. You'll be greeted warmly with a glass of sparkling wine, and led to your table in one of the many small rooms throughout the building. You really do feel like you're in someone's regal old home. The menus are presented to you like you have just received a telegram, and while the menu is not huge, it is certainly well thought out and highlights specialties of Portugal.
Our server was also the "wine guy" (his words), so he picked a bottle for us based on what we ordered, and it was spot on. Then, to start with, we sampled the 3 different baked breads with carrot spread and olive oil, and my husband had the Sea Things (for that night it was a fish and seafood soup in a light broth), and I had the mackerel ceviche, both of which were delicious and also looked lovely. For our mains I had the asparagus and black pork sausage risotto, and my husband opted for the black pork loin. My risotto was very good, but the pork loin...amazing. So good that I had dinner envy, and was lucky enough that my husband gave me two bites. Seriously, it was close-my-eyes-and-savor-it delicious, and I would 100% order that if we ever go back.
So, since it was our last night of vacation, we weren't leaving without dessert! Our server told us that we wanted the Sweet Things to share with a white port each, and who were we to say no? When we received the platter with all of the beautiful mini desserts, we were told what to eat first and what to use as a palate cleanser, and then left to our own devices. Again, everything was wonderful and beautifully presented, and we enjoyed every bite. The eucalyptus ice cream was a nice surprise, and very crisp and refreshing, but everything was tasty. Then, since we weren't quite ready to end our vacation yet, we had an after dinner drink as we digested.
At the end of our evening, they were kind enough to call a taxi for us, and we waited for it in the comfortable lounge area. Once the taxi arrived, they presented us each with a small gift as we headed out into the night.
Clube de Jornalistas was just a special, friendly, delicious, wonderful experience. I'm happy we chose it to end our time in Lisbon, and would definitely return.