Life in New York City is always spontaneous, exciting, interesting.

The other night we were going to head to the Metropolitan Museum to enjoy cocktails on the rooftop and then peruse the masterpieces. It is a favorite Friday night activity.

I had walked about 10 miles and had just kicked off my Nikes, relaxing for a moment before gearing up for date night with my husband.

I was watching a replay of the NY Giants victory over the San Francisco 49ers…hey, we all have our obsessions and the phone rang.

David was calling to tell me to grab the 1 train.

He had secured a coveted seat at the bar at the new hot and trendy restaurant, Lupulo, a sophisticated  Portuguese tavern.

Lupulo means “hops” in Portuguese and Lupulo features many craft beers as well as delightful Portuguese wines.

David was having an end of a grueling week drink with his business associate, Sean, an acknowledged foodie, music officiando and effusive fellow.

I morphed into an appropriatedly trendy diner, waited 2 seconds for the subway and quickly strolled the few blocks to Lupulo.

The restaurant was packed.

I spotted my posse and quickly settled into my assigned seat at the huge U-shaped bar that dominates Lupulo.

Michelin-starred chef, George Mendes of Aldea fame, serves up bold, country-style Portuguese fare in an embracing space.

Mendes grew up in a Portuguese-American family in Connecticut and trained under some of the great European chefs…Alain Ducasse and Martin Berasategui.

Arroz de Polvo, the oven baked octopus rice with octopus broth and olives presented in a cast iron pot was awaiting my consumption ($29).

The delectable dish truly represented Portuguese comfort food with an emphasis on seafood.

It was fabulous and my glass of Portuguese red was already poured. That first sip is always tantalizing.

The red was an excellent 2013 Twisted Niepoort Douro from Portugal ($48).

Sean is over the moon about Lupulo and he is an authority on every item on the menu.

He is an articulate guy with caveman tastes.

Sean loves his meat and painted quite the picture of the Lupulo steak.

I was all in if he was willing to share as my husband does not consume meat or poultry.

We ordered the Bife “Striploin” Assado ($40).

The steak was tender, flavorful and there was enough for Sean, me and his long awaited partner, Ann, a charming French woman who I immediately related to.

On Sean’s recommendation David ordered the milky helping of red snapper cru.

The kitchen submerges the raw snapper in sublime coconut milk and touches of jalapeño, Kaffir lime and a scattering of benne seeds. It was delicious…spicy and creamy ($21).

We also ordered the fries which Sean described as luscious McDonald’s fries taken to a higher level. Who could ignore that.

The wine flowed, the food was tantalizing and the atmosphere electric.

It was lovely evening dining with interesting, dynamic people.

Lupulo 835 6th Avenue New York City. Open Monday-Wednesday 5pm-12am, Thursday-Saturday 5pm-2am, Sunday 5-11pm. Lunch served Monday-Friday 11:30am-2pm.