Fish heaven in Lisbon at Mr Fish. I must admit, although I have known Lisbon for many years, I would not have trekked down to this former Expo area of the city, were it not for the fact that my wife's relations took us there for lunch.( Wife is Portuguese) Well I'm delighted to report that the food culture is stronger than ever in this capital city. I mean real food,available everywhere. Not poncy ,overpriced dress- up, pretentious stuff like London. In the UK this area would have been an excuse for rip off touristy joints.

On to the food. Even before you start the mains,you get, included in a modest cover charge, plates of, corn bread, spicy olives, chorizo, soft cheeses, fried squid, fried baby sardines-the sort of dishes that would make a nice little lunch anywhere else. Then we were invited inside to choose a fish from the display cabinets.The variety on offer would have shamed Harrods Food Hall. I chose a 'small' bass(robalho) which was then split and cooked with lemon juice and garlic on one of the charcoal ranges on show in the kitchens.It came with spinach and baby new potatoes in their skins. We then had fresh plump local cherries served up in iced water. Drinks included freezing cold Superbock draft beers,and vinho verde (it only tastes good in Portugal). And to round it off espressos,or ''bicas'' as they are called there. Loads of other fishy delights were on offer including clams, spider crabs, lobsters, hake, bream etc. We sat outside on the terrace(it was 35c after all) overlooking the Tagus and the splendid new Vasco da Gama bridge. Service was swift and charming. If only we had place like this here.Oh well I can dream. Price- about 20-25 euros each (£12-£15)!!!! Al Imentada