Versão portuguesa aqui.

GPS 38.69840458981166, -9.272637556720298

On Avenida Marginal, which connects Lisbon and Cascais, the Mónaco restaurant reigned for decades. It was frequented by high society and famous foreigners, who also danced and had fun there. Representative of the glamor of other times, it was the stage for dancing dinners, weddings and wild parties. The name was inspired by the principality of Rainier and Grace Kelly. In 1986, Mário Soares and Cavaco Silva tried to normalize their political relationship, having lunch overlooking the sea.

Shortly before Mário Soares took office as President of the Republic, in 1986, he called Cavaco Silva and invited him to lunch. The relationship with the new prime minister, winner of the legislative elections and the PSD congress in Figueira da Foz, was never easy. They had not reached an understanding to hold the Central Bloc and Cavaco had supported Freitas do Amaral in the race for president, against Soares. This questioned Cavaco's political curriculum and the “lack of an external and humanist vision”, which went beyond specialized technical culture, recalls José Manuel dos Santos, former cultural advisor to Mário Soares. There was no real empathy between the two. Even so, Soares “recognized and respected his legitimacy” and they had lunch on February 26th at the Mónaco restaurant, in Caxias, in the municipality of Oeiras. They tried to calm relations, “work together” and understand what was essential for the country.

Despite being a self-confessed “lead foot”, F Soares had memories of going to dance in Monaco in his youth. There he returned when he wanted to leave Lisbon or have politically discreet lunches. Time and again, he would return to the restaurants on the Line, such as Monaco, which allowed for a “quiet and relaxed conversation”. On top of that, looking at the sea, which Soares “loved a lot”, guarantees José Manuel dos Santos, who often walked with the president by the sea or in gardens. Meals were, for the socialist, occasions for “distension, conviviality, conversation and work, all at the same time” and lunch with Cavaco “went well, according to each one's style”. In the work “O Meu Tempo com Cavaco Silva”, Fernando Lima, a former adviser to Cavaco, mentions that “a large part of the meeting was filled with the Prime Minister's explanation of the Government's objectives and problems”. A table was reserved by the window, overlooking the sea, and the conversation took place in an “environment of great cordiality”, revealed Cavaco Silva himself in the “Political Autobiography”.

“Mário Soares was in a good mood, he radiated sympathy, as he knows how to do, and he told me again that the Government could count on his solidarity. I reciprocated, stating that he could count on a correct relationship and loyal collaboration from the Government, respecting its constitutional powers. […] The lunch went so well that I saw in it the beginning of a new phase in our personal relationship. But when I looked back at everything that had happened after the Congress of Figueira da Foz, and was aware of the political skill that was attributed to Mário Soares, I concluded that I could not remain calm”, described Cavaco Silva. The problems became more acute in Soares' second term.

The Year of Rainier and Grace Kelly

In the 1980s, the Monaco Bar-Dancing Restaurant still hosted politicians and artists, but the former glory was a mirage. Succeeding the Restaurant - Casa de Chá Vela Azul, which operated in the same location, Mónaco opened on July 28, 1956, the year of the “wedding of the century” between actress Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco. The project by Galician businessman Manuel Outerelo Costa was joined by maestro and composer Shegundo Galarza. A concept in vogue elsewhere was important: a restaurant where you could also see and hear musical groups and dance.

The fashion caught on and, in 1960, the press described the Mónaco restaurant as “one of the most luxurious on the elegant seafront”, welcoming “the most distinguished national and foreign personalities”, according to a document from the Oeiras Municipal Archive Service. The service, comfort, elegance and selected environment stood out. The performance of the Shegundo Galarza ensemble lasted until the early hours of the morning, “bringing lively dances in a truly friendly and welcoming environment”. Jazz and Latin sounds, such as tango, livened up evenings with a distinct atmosphere, cultivating “high-life”. In addition to the main room, where the stage was located, there was a bar area and private spaces for banquets and weddings. From the large windows you could see the Atlantic.

João Braga would have been about 15 years old when he made his debut in Monaco, in the early 60s. At the time, he was hanging out with older people and was enchanted by the scenery: “Being there was wonderful and a dream for a kid like me. The orchestra was fantastic, the music was good, the people were very well dressed and I also wore a tie. The staff were all in very good uniform, it was fantastic”, recalls the fado singer. The “affable” Shegundo Galarza, at the piano, and the musicians who accompanied him, were “all very good” and transported the amateur dancers to “the special atmosphere” they saw in the films. One evening, accompanied by Shegundo's piano and the drums, João stayed in the living room humming something in English and French.

Gastronomy, José Cid and Tozé Brito

Steak with pepper sauce, Lobster rice, smoked salmon and swordfish were successful dishes. The most eye-catching, for João Braga, was the mise en scéne of Crepe Suzette. When it's well prepared, “it's a great thing and worth seeing, with the flame in front of the customer, and everyone watching...”, he comments. In line with the simplicity of the woody living room, the kitchen revealed itself to be “much simpler than it is today, much less pretentious and tastier”, argues the fado singer, who celebrates 55 years of career. With the emergence of venues such as Le Caveau, Palm Beach or the Caixote nightclub, João distances himself a little from Monaco. It was during this phase, when listening to “Povo que Lavas no Rio” by Amália Rodrigues, in 1963, that she woke up to fado and fado houses. He would return to Monaco in the early 1970s, in the company of the winner of the Miss Portugal contest. They escaped the drink after the event and headed to the supposed seclusion of Caxias, but the restaurant was “full of famous people”.

There were many famous people giving an air of grace. It is said that Grace Kelly herself visited it in 1964, but also other international figures, participants in exclusive parties, and even the kings Simeon of Bulgaria, Humberto of Italy, the Marchioness of Vilaverde and Marcelo Caetano, who, according to press reports, appeared in Monaco's book of honor, “with an autographed photograph filling a full page, in May 1969”. João Braga remembers the actors Carlos José Teixeira and António Vilar, among many names.

Sad was the fate of those who died in accidents on what became known as the 'Monaco curve', which, “when it rained, was extremely dangerous”, laments José Cid. The singer-songwriter was also 15 when he entered Monaco, with a cousin, to hear Shegundo. He was already the lead singer of a jazz group in Coimbra and they invited him to sing a classic. He sang two themes, the last of which was “Put Your Head on My Shoulder”, by Paul Anka, pleasing the audience. Later, he started going with Tozé Brito. Fortunately, for José Cid, there was always “car storage and good food”, especially the lobster rice that was his downfall. Between 1969 and 1972, Tozé Brito went to Monaco many times with his father, to taste traditional Portuguese food. He liked the special feel of the place, being able to dine and dance, and the presence of Shegundo. “A lot of people went to hear him play”, he comments. To some extent, it was an elitist space, but also “airy and super pleasant”, a “top of the range” with a unique atmosphere in Portugal.

Memories of Lili Caneças

Lili Caneças remembers seeing, for example, João Ferreira-Rosa and Mercês da Cunha Rego. He loved the piano, due to the fact that his mother was a pianist, and considers that Shegundo “innovated the concept of playing the piano in such a way that it was, in fact, stunning”. Monaco “was always super well attended” and was “always super beautiful”. The service followed: “The employees were fantastic, they were proud to be in Monaco because of the prestige that the restaurant had. The service was so good, the cuisine was so good, and we were looking at the sea... In the summer, especially, we could still see the sunsets of Monaco, which remained in my life forever”, recalls Lili Caneças, fond of “fantastic, very well done” fish and lobster.

At the time, Lili Caneças lived in Parede and her best friend got married in Monaco. It was on that occasion, surrounded by the sophistication of the room and the musical romanticism, that she met her ex-husband, Álvaro Caneças, a “very handsome man, who looked like Marcello Mastroianni”. They sat side by side, an atmosphere was created and they got married three months later. Trips to Monaco required attire that suited the moment. One night, trusting that Brigitte Bardot and Jacques Charrier would go there for dinner, Lili puts on a black velvet dress “just like Brigitte's” and her brother buys some glasses “like Jacques Charrier”. The international stars didn't come, but there were those who confused them with the Portuguese duo: “When we came in, it was all “Bravo, bravo, Brigitte! The maid who made sure the bathroom was spotless, and who knew me wonderfully, asked me for an autograph. I wrote to him “Avec tout mon amour, Brigitte Bardot, in impeccable French. It was a lot of fun...”, he says with humor.

The decadence

Still in the 70s, Shegundo Galarza and Manuel Outerelo Costa left the project and many regular clients left the country after the 25th of April 1974, like João Braga himself, forced into exile “because of something stupid”, returning in 1976 A year earlier, Tozé Brito returned from England and no longer found the Monaco he had known, “it became a restaurant like any other”. José Cid was surprised by the small number of customers in the 1980s, given the beauty of the setting: “As the world goes around...”. The restaurant remained open with other musicians and owners, including José Esteves, for whom Monaco was “a symbol of an era and made history”. In his opinion, the development of the A5 and the fact that the marginal road was “closed to traffic for a year”, due to the redevelopment and placement of the central divider, also contributed to reducing footfall.

In 2015, the blog Restos de Colecção, by José Leite, published photographs, clippings and tells a good part of the history of Monaco.

The new life of Monaco

José Cid also performed there with his band, at a private party, and João Braga returned for a friend's birthday. The fadista's farewell was in 1995 at a “memorable” birthday party for a friend, but the Mónaco restaurant (Avenida Marginal, Caxias, Oeiras) was already “completely out of character”. It ended up closing and not even the attempt by businessman Luís Quaresma and the Dançarte school, in 2008, prevented its permanent closure. In 2014, the sale of the space to a Spanish group was announced. According to Jornal de Negócios, in 2021, Maxgroup - a Remax franchisee - announced that it would be marketing the property, then in "the rehabilitation and reconversion phase into a four-star hotel". A Remax source informs that the property was, however, sold by another promoter, and it was not possible to determine, in a timely manner, more details of the deal.

Full list of Geochaching below:

https://mirror.xyz/madeinpt.eth/I5tjF3sn6ugnUw3nBnKOpOUr2DEh_g6cTN-0hivKCgc

Versão portuguesa aqui.

GPS 38.69840458981166, -9.272637556720298

On Avenida Marginal, which connects Lisbon and Cascais, the Mónaco restaurant reigned for decades. It was frequented by high society and famous foreigners, who also danced and had fun there. Representative of the glamor of other times, it was the stage for dancing dinners, weddings and wild parties. The name was inspired by the principality of Rainier and Grace Kelly. In 1986, Mário Soares and Cavaco Silva tried to normalize their political relationship, having lunch overlooking the sea.

Shortly before Mário Soares took office as President of the Republic, in 1986, he called Cavaco Silva and invited him to lunch. The relationship with the new prime minister, winner of the legislative elections and the PSD congress in Figueira da Foz, was never easy. They had not reached an understanding to hold the Central Bloc and Cavaco had supported Freitas do Amaral in the race for president, against Soares. This questioned Cavaco's political curriculum and the “lack of an external and humanist vision”, which went beyond specialized technical culture, recalls José Manuel dos Santos, former cultural advisor to Mário Soares. There was no real empathy between the two. Even so, Soares “recognized and respected his legitimacy” and they had lunch on February 26th at the Mónaco restaurant, in Caxias, in the municipality of Oeiras. They tried to calm relations, “work together” and understand what was essential for the country.

Despite being a self-confessed “lead foot”, F Soares had memories of going to dance in Monaco in his youth. There he returned when he wanted to leave Lisbon or have politically discreet lunches. Time and again, he would return to the restaurants on the Line, such as Monaco, which allowed for a “quiet and relaxed conversation”. On top of that, looking at the sea, which Soares “loved a lot”, guarantees José Manuel dos Santos, who often walked with the president by the sea or in gardens. Meals were, for the socialist, occasions for “distension, conviviality, conversation and work, all at the same time” and lunch with Cavaco “went well, according to each one's style”. In the work “O Meu Tempo com Cavaco Silva”, Fernando Lima, a former adviser to Cavaco, mentions that “a large part of the meeting was filled with the Prime Minister's explanation of the Government's objectives and problems”. A table was reserved by the window, overlooking the sea, and the conversation took place in an “environment of great cordiality”, revealed Cavaco Silva himself in the “Political Autobiography”.

“Mário Soares was in a good mood, he radiated sympathy, as he knows how to do, and he told me again that the Government could count on his solidarity. I reciprocated, stating that he could count on a correct relationship and loyal collaboration from the Government, respecting its constitutional powers. […] The lunch went so well that I saw in it the beginning of a new phase in our personal relationship. But when I looked back at everything that had happened after the Congress of Figueira da Foz, and was aware of the political skill that was attributed to Mário Soares, I concluded that I could not remain calm”, described Cavaco Silva. The problems became more acute in Soares' second term.

The Year of Rainier and Grace Kelly

In the 1980s, the Monaco Bar-Dancing Restaurant still hosted politicians and artists, but the former glory was a mirage. Succeeding the Restaurant - Casa de Chá Vela Azul, which operated in the same location, Mónaco opened on July 28, 1956, the year of the “wedding of the century” between actress Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco. The project by Galician businessman Manuel Outerelo Costa was joined by maestro and composer Shegundo Galarza. A concept in vogue elsewhere was important: a restaurant where you could also see and hear musical groups and dance.

The fashion caught on and, in 1960, the press described the Mónaco restaurant as “one of the most luxurious on the elegant seafront”, welcoming “the most distinguished national and foreign personalities”, according to a document from the Oeiras Municipal Archive Service. The service, comfort, elegance and selected environment stood out. The performance of the Shegundo Galarza ensemble lasted until the early hours of the morning, “bringing lively dances in a truly friendly and welcoming environment”. Jazz and Latin sounds, such as tango, livened up evenings with a distinct atmosphere, cultivating “high-life”. In addition to the main room, where the stage was located, there was a bar area and private spaces for banquets and weddings. From the large windows you could see the Atlantic.

João Braga would have been about 15 years old when he made his debut in Monaco, in the early 60s. At the time, he was hanging out with older people and was enchanted by the scenery: “Being there was wonderful and a dream for a kid like me. The orchestra was fantastic, the music was good, the people were very well dressed and I also wore a tie. The staff were all in very good uniform, it was fantastic”, recalls the fado singer. The “affable” Shegundo Galarza, at the piano, and the musicians who accompanied him, were “all very good” and transported the amateur dancers to “the special atmosphere” they saw in the films. One evening, accompanied by Shegundo's piano and the drums, João stayed in the living room humming something in English and French.

Gastronomy, José Cid and Tozé Brito

Steak with pepper sauce, Lobster rice, smoked salmon and swordfish were successful dishes. The most eye-catching, for João Braga, was the mise en scéne of Crepe Suzette. When it's well prepared, “it's a great thing and worth seeing, with the flame in front of the customer, and everyone watching...”, he comments. In line with the simplicity of the woody living room, the kitchen revealed itself to be “much simpler than it is today, much less pretentious and tastier”, argues the fado singer, who celebrates 55 years of career. With the emergence of venues such as Le Caveau, Palm Beach or the Caixote nightclub, João distances himself a little from Monaco. It was during this phase, when listening to “Povo que Lavas no Rio” by Amália Rodrigues, in 1963, that she woke up to fado and fado houses. He would return to Monaco in the early 1970s, in the company of the winner of the Miss Portugal contest. They escaped the drink after the event and headed to the supposed seclusion of Caxias, but the restaurant was “full of famous people”.

There were many famous people giving an air of grace. It is said that Grace Kelly herself visited it in 1964, but also other international figures, participants in exclusive parties, and even the kings Simeon of Bulgaria, Humberto of Italy, the Marchioness of Vilaverde and Marcelo Caetano, who, according to press reports, appeared in Monaco's book of honor, “with an autographed photograph filling a full page, in May 1969”. João Braga remembers the actors Carlos José Teixeira and António Vilar, among many names.

Sad was the fate of those who died in accidents on what became known as the 'Monaco curve', which, “when it rained, was extremely dangerous”, laments José Cid. The singer-songwriter was also 15 when he entered Monaco, with a cousin, to hear Shegundo. He was already the lead singer of a jazz group in Coimbra and they invited him to sing a classic. He sang two themes, the last of which was “Put Your Head on My Shoulder”, by Paul Anka, pleasing the audience. Later, he started going with Tozé Brito. Fortunately, for José Cid, there was always “car storage and good food”, especially the lobster rice that was his downfall. Between 1969 and 1972, Tozé Brito went to Monaco many times with his father, to taste traditional Portuguese food. He liked the special feel of the place, being able to dine and dance, and the presence of Shegundo. “A lot of people went to hear him play”, he comments. To some extent, it was an elitist space, but also “airy and super pleasant”, a “top of the range” with a unique atmosphere in Portugal.

Memories of Lili Caneças

Lili Caneças remembers seeing, for example, João Ferreira-Rosa and Mercês da Cunha Rego. He loved the piano, due to the fact that his mother was a pianist, and considers that Shegundo “innovated the concept of playing the piano in such a way that it was, in fact, stunning”. Monaco “was always super well attended” and was “always super beautiful”. The service followed: “The employees were fantastic, they were proud to be in Monaco because of the prestige that the restaurant had. The service was so good, the cuisine was so good, and we were looking at the sea... In the summer, especially, we could still see the sunsets of Monaco, which remained in my life forever”, recalls Lili Caneças, fond of “fantastic, very well done” fish and lobster.

At the time, Lili Caneças lived in Parede and her best friend got married in Monaco. It was on that occasion, surrounded by the sophistication of the room and the musical romanticism, that she met her ex-husband, Álvaro Caneças, a “very handsome man, who looked like Marcello Mastroianni”. They sat side by side, an atmosphere was created and they got married three months later. Trips to Monaco required attire that suited the moment. One night, trusting that Brigitte Bardot and Jacques Charrier would go there for dinner, Lili puts on a black velvet dress “just like Brigitte's” and her brother buys some glasses “like Jacques Charrier”. The international stars didn't come, but there were those who confused them with the Portuguese duo: “When we came in, it was all “Bravo, bravo, Brigitte! The maid who made sure the bathroom was spotless, and who knew me wonderfully, asked me for an autograph. I wrote to him “Avec tout mon amour, Brigitte Bardot, in impeccable French. It was a lot of fun...”, he says with humor.

The decadence

Still in the 70s, Shegundo Galarza and Manuel Outerelo Costa left the project and many regular clients left the country after the 25th of April 1974, like João Braga himself, forced into exile “because of something stupid”, returning in 1976 A year earlier, Tozé Brito returned from England and no longer found the Monaco he had known, “it became a restaurant like any other”. José Cid was surprised by the small number of customers in the 1980s, given the beauty of the setting: “As the world goes around...”. The restaurant remained open with other musicians and owners, including José Esteves, for whom Monaco was “a symbol of an era and made history”. In his opinion, the development of the A5 and the fact that the marginal road was “closed to traffic for a year”, due to the redevelopment and placement of the central divider, also contributed to reducing footfall.

In 2015, the blog Restos de Colecção, by José Leite, published photographs, clippings and tells a good part of the history of Monaco.

The new life of Monaco

José Cid also performed there with his band, at a private party, and João Braga returned for a friend's birthday. The fadista's farewell was in 1995 at a “memorable” birthday party for a friend, but the Mónaco restaurant (Avenida Marginal, Caxias, Oeiras) was already “completely out of character”. It ended up closing and not even the attempt by businessman Luís Quaresma and the Dançarte school, in 2008, prevented its permanent closure. In 2014, the sale of the space to a Spanish group was announced. According to Jornal de Negócios, in 2021, Maxgroup - a Remax franchisee - announced that it would be marketing the property, then in "the rehabilitation and reconversion phase into a four-star hotel". A Remax source informs that the property was, however, sold by another promoter, and it was not possible to determine, in a timely manner, more details of the deal.

Full list of Geochaching below:

https://mirror.xyz/madeinpt.eth/I5tjF3sn6ugnUw3nBnKOpOUr2DEh_g6cTN-0hivKCgc