WINE & LIFESTYLE REPORT
Guilty by Olivier
June 2011
Went to visit the new chef Olivier venue, a burger and pizza joint called Guilty located near Avenida da Liberdade (Rua Barata Salgueiro, 28 A), and came out feeling really satisfied. This place opened up in April and is already a big success, mainly at nigh-time.
First things first, this is as bold as one can get in Lisbon, the place reeks contemporary style and nothing was left to chance. Olivier is a business man, that takes entrepreneurship very seriously. This new place joins his restaurant chain, composed nowadays by Olivier Café and Olivier Avenida, and is filling a gap in the city's offerings regarding the fancy fast-food segment.
The menu is focused on the American way of life, big salads that can indeed be considered a meal, big fat juicy burgers and the mandatory pizza/pasta duet. The ambience is set by a resident DJ, that sets a lounge mood for lunch and a lively party scene for dinner, that will endure way after midnight, inviting you to stay for cocktails.
I personally tried the burgers, made out of 100% Angus beef "Picanha", and can easily compare it with the best burgers I have tried from all around. Tender, juicy and flavoursome, it is really refreshing that the meat is the star player and not the complementary ingredients, which by the way are high quality also.
Pizza will most definitely be my next experience upon another due visit. No one will fail to notice two gigantic ovens at the back of the room, which came directly from Italy, where pizzas are carefully cooked with firewood. Had a small sample as an entrée and was very impressed with the intensity of flavours achieved, mini pizza rolls were super delicious.
Went to visit the new chef Olivier venue, a burger and pizza joint called Guilty located near Avenida da Liberdade (Rua Barata Salgueiro, 28 A), and came out feeling really satisfied. This place opened up in April and is already a big success, mainly at nigh-time.
First things first, this is as bold as one can get in Lisbon, the place reeks contemporary style and nothing was left to chance. Olivier is a business man, that takes entrepreneurship very seriously. This new place joins his restaurant chain, composed nowadays by Olivier Café and Olivier Avenida, and is filling a gap in the city's offerings regarding the fancy fast-food segment.
The menu is focused on the American way of life, big salads that can indeed be considered a meal, big fat juicy burgers and the mandatory pizza/pasta duet. The ambience is set by a resident DJ, that sets a lounge mood for lunch and a lively party scene for dinner, that will endure way after midnight, inviting you to stay for cocktails.
I personally tried the burgers, made out of 100% Angus beef "Picanha", and can easily compare it with the best burgers I have tried from all around. Tender, juicy and flavoursome, it is really refreshing that the meat is the star player and not the complementary ingredients, which by the way are high quality also.
Pizza will most definitely be my next experience upon another due visit. No one will fail to notice two gigantic ovens at the back of the room, which came directly from Italy, where pizzas are carefully cooked with firewood. Had a small sample as an entrée and was very impressed with the intensity of flavours achieved, mini pizza rolls were super delicious.
I have to say that I have never had a bad meal at any of Olivier restaurants, which have a clear focus, deliver delicious pleasurable food. Service has also been a strong point of his places, and Guilty is not an exception, with attentive, competent and likeable staff. One can even play with the toy shown below, with proven efficacy, check was ordered by clicking the appropriate button and was at the table 1 minute later.
Just one word of advise, this is not a place to search for delicacy, this is full power food, with strong seasoned, rich, fat dishes, which sometimes is just what you need to spice up your mood.
A brand new Guilty pleasure!
A brand new Guilty pleasure!
