La Paparrucha

• Restauradores (Linha Azul)
• €€€
• Rua Dom Pedro V 18-20, 1250-094

Argentina is a country which has unashamedly embraced its relationship with the noble cow. Amongst some of the biggest consumers of beef on the planet (the average Argentinian eats twice as much beef as the average American!), this fertile land of 45 million people at the tip of South America is estimated to rear 53 million cattle to satisfy their red meat needs. Knowing how serious the business of steak is for these people, we entered into La Paparrucha with high hopes.

Many a tourist to Lisbon eventually makes their way from Avenida Liberdade, up the Glória funicular to soak up the incredible views from the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. With sweeping views across the city and river, it is a scene ready-made for Instagram. Nestled alongside the viewing the platform, the restaurant appears so unassuming. Yet as you walk from the street to the back of the restaurant, you are welcomed to your own private viewing terrace away from the crowds. We've not even got to the food yet, but we already recommend coming here to enjoy their excellent wine and cocktail menu.

Still, this is a food blog. Almost. So what about these famous Argentine steaks? Well the steak section comes with around 40 different choices, mixing up cuts and weights. For a card-carrying glutton such as myself, the phrase a 'kid in a candy store' could easily be upgraded to 'gourmand in La Paparrucha', if you would allow the indulgence.

Two rib-eyes (300g and 250g for the more restrained of us), roasted sweet potato for the big boy and the same vegetable roasted with a herb butter on the other plate. A serving of mixed roasted vegetables to sit in between and a delightful bottle of Malbec of the same origin, we conducted this ever so important research.

We recently learnt that the Portuguese use the phrase 'bife' as a slang term for British people. The not-so hidden meaning being so many of our fellow nationals turn up year after year and burn themselves nice and pink, much to Portuguese mirth. Anyway, these rib-eyes were absolutely perfect representations of bife. Medium-rare, the pink centre exploding with more juice than a Tropicana factory. Meanwhile the asado cooking approach rendered the fat to a crust worthy of this fair Earth.

By this point, despite being willing to change my name to Messi, it was easier to experience more of Argentina with the dulce de leche pancake pudding. A welcome dose of sugar to revive us from the comatose of the meat feast.

A good steak is always an enjoyable meal out, but La Paparrucha is a great steakhouse. For those who love their red meats, you should head straight here and enjoy the first class food with first class views of this beautiful city.

Drinks: Glasses of wine on the terrace, one bottle of Argentine Malbec, a bottle of still water and two coffees.

Don’t forget to order: You can't actually forget to order steak here, so go all in on your number 1 from this top 40.