Fifty Seconds Lunch Experience – 1 Michelin Star
Created by: Chef Martin Berastegui. Located at the top of the Myriad Sana Hotel in Lisboa, Portugal.
During a hot, dull afternoon, I devised the last-minute plan of attending lunch at Fifty Seconds Restaurant by Michelin Spanish chef Martin Berastegui. Upon receiving confirmation of my deposit-only reservation, the start of a fascinating afternoon began. Located at the top of the Myriad Sana Hotel, the restaurant is nearby by car to downtown Lisbon. Upon entering the hotel, there is an exclusive entrance with a private elevator. You are immediately welcomed by a member of staff who will escort you to a high-speed elevator. This elevator can arrive at the restaurant in precisely fifty seconds, hence the name. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a member of staff who introduced me to the beautiful, open dining space with views of the ocean. When seated, I decided to go with the most extensive lunch option, which features 12 dishes. Before begging the experience, the sommelier recommended a glass of champagne that featured very refreshing lemon notes. To commence the occasion, the cod brandade with manzanilla and yuzu mayonnaise featured bold flavors. To follow the caramelized mille-feuille of foie-gras, green apple, and the eel was mind-blowing, just this one dish worthy of the overall visit. Another dish worthy of mentioning was the sea turbot featured in the picture above; the turbot was very fresh and juicy with a balanced but memorable flavor. After the palette cleanser, I was surprised with a glass of vintage 1978 port wine; this was an incredible highlight. The dessert was beautiful as expected, the apple, vanilla ice cream with rum, and caramelized hazelnuts might sound basic, but this dish was executed to perfection featuring perfect sweetness and textures.
Takeaway: Fifty Seconds was one of the best restaurants I got to experience in Portugal. The lunch menu, although pricy, is worth every penny; visitors should consider the lunch experience if they wish to enjoy a fantastic meal with a stellar view of Lisbon.
