Spoke to Jag yesterday. Seems to be some bureaucratic hold-up at the Town Hall, but is hopeful he will be open on Esuri soon. In the meantime we have been to the remodelled Fish & Chip shop in Ayamonte. Had the fillet steak from the 'specials' and it was delicious; also tried a 'deep fried Mars bar' (although it was actually a Snickers!). An experience, if nothing else, but actually not as bad as we had thought it might be.

Steve

That's good news! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Jag's new restaurant will be completely open and up and running when we arrive next month. If anyone's around on Monday, 12 July (and Jag's IS open at Esuri), this is an open invitation to join us at his terrace bar that evening for a drink to celebrate my birthday!! Would be a great opportunity to get to meet as many people as possible from the forum. Jon and Katherine - will you be there? Be good to see you both again - January was SUCH a long time ago!!

We had a great trip and were sad to come back last week after 6 great weeks. We missed any changes at CE resto-wise. So here is a review of what we did. I can recommend these restos below and we wil go to them again for sure

Well.....we had a mixed experience this time resto-wise and had a bad couple of meals and one of our favourite restos seems to have gone downhill (a bit) - we gave it 3 chances too. On the other hand we tried some interesting new ones as well.

The other thing we noticed was the effect of the recession - it was sad to see eg just 1 car in the parking and to eat with maybe another couple or 2 in the place. One resto was highly recommended (by locals) we drove to it on a Sunday for lunch arriving at peak Spanish time. The car park was empty so we left. Eating is about atmosphere too and we wanted that on the day. This resto (I forget the name) is easy to find. Go to Villablanca, a couple of minutes before there is a red coca-cola sign on the right. Its here. There also seems to be a local resto on the left just before, using its own produce we think.

Altura has significantly improved. Free parking next to the beach (+Free wifi in Altura). The've really done up the beach area. Boardwalks and little beach bars where you can get a drink and eg sandwich. Its a good place to start and when you get to the beach turn right and walk to Manta Rota (30-40min) where you will find an abundance of choice (more below). If you've got kids and want to walk on another 45 mins - towards the wonderful Fabrica estuary and beach - be careful - you pass the nudist beach!

Turn left, walking, and you have the choices of the beach places mentioned above and carry onto Praia Verde (30-40 min) there is a new beach bar there and the new Praia Verde posh resto. This looks really nice and though pricey does have 'proper' French Champers, Pommery for 50Euros - that's a great price anywhere and for a special occasion On the hill here you see the Panoramico resto lots of glass and great views. Its been taken over and is called O Infante 2 - Panoramico. Fans of the first will love the second - as it has the views the first lacks. It was our anniversary so we went for the champers, and here the Pommery was an incredible 38Euros. Easily the best price Ive seen in Europe for a 'marque' champagne. Of course all these are accessible by car.

If you carry on walking about 5-10 mins you get to Cabeco beach and the 2 restos it has, Sem Espinhas (great fish soup for a starter - very filling for about 4Euro - but higher on the price scale. We need to give it a 4th chance - good food - great views - nice atmosphere but service seems to have dropped and more pushy for the more expensive wines - also check the bill that they don't add cheese if you didn't eat it. They need to be careful not to spoil what is a very good experience. We did 3 special occasions there and we all enjoyed it - but there was this little 'niggle') and O Pescador - more reasonably priced and we had a nice lunch there last time.

Great to start at Altura have a nice walk/paddle in the sea and get to all these choices. But be careful of the Spider fish - can be very painful see this post
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showp...1&postcount=16

Manta Rota: We wanted to try the little resto A Proa which you find on the corner, as you walk to the beach after Mars bar, Yellow Sign, on right. it has live Fado music at the weekend (I think Friday - but check) and is always busy - as it was this Sunday. (Tel +281 952 027) One of 2 we saw so packed. We turned right to find parking and after 100m found a great local place Nora Antiga - no tourists - very clean and hygenic and on a large terrace (tel 964 442 7031). We decided on it as we like the unexpected find. We had a great dish of the day for 7Euros. As a result A Proa is on the list for next time! We went in and got the card and looks really nice.

Cacela Velha: Our fave place within a short drive for the beauty - worth a visit jut for the views. As you come in on the right is a resto (untried - with great roof terrace views) - but on the left overlooking the field is Casa Velha (I think). Again busy on a Sunday - good sign - and in fact people were waiting for a table, the 1st we saw with that. No menu of the day during the week and on sundays (only) a dish of the day. We went there for the oysters caught locally a couple of hundred meters away in the ocean. 12 for 12 Euros. We shared a plate, of mixed sized ones. Fresh tasty and actually the biggest we've ever seen! Ive never had to cut one in half in its shell and eat twice! Next time we will ask for the medium size ones.

Castro Marim has a new resto Tasca Medeival very clean - hygenic you see that right away and you can see the kitchen and how 'proper' it is. Has a courtyard terrace - but for us too hot outside. A walk through the resto is a bar - a pint 1 Euro. Be prepared to wait for the meal - but you know you are eating good clean food for a good price. Go to C-Marim. Turn right at the 1st Roundabout about 100m just past the campervan parking youll see it on the left as a gate in the wall.

Its probably a couple of minutes further in the car than the Excellent SAOLUPI in Monte Francisco - run by Luis - mentioned previously. All in lunch 3 courses coffee and wine for 7:50. Hardly worth cooking and we go there 1/2 x a week. Off menu dal dia is the excellent black pork ribs - the best I've had and worth the extra cost.

We had a curry take away from Punjab Palace 2 São Bartolomeu. It was delicious! What a strange find (I've mentioned it before). I really got the feeling that I was back in India when we went in and waited for the food. Right in the middle of the countryside is an Indian resto - and a huge one as well. Get to it from Monte Francisco, following the Altura signs. An nice country drive for 10 mins. On the right. Keep going 5 mins and you are right on the 125 directly opposite the Praia Verde turn off (so its a cross-road) - so you can also come to it from here in reverse.

We don't eat in Isla Canela normally but had 2 good finds: The chiringito on the big unpaved carpark next to the Atlantico. Great portions of sardines so dont ask for too many rations!. Also La Cabra 1 and 2. Great service, views and menu of the day (no wine) 7euros. (opposite Barcelo and lots of weekend events music, flamenco etc at Cabra 2) The house wine is 6Euros for a litre - so you cant go wrong... but watch the driving. Good BBQ fish and several other choices. Next door to the chiringuito Cabra 1 with fantastic views and also good service. Something Spanish to enjoy (as is Chiringuito Antonio 5 on the Marina, mentioned previously)

Spoilt for choice! Please note we are great lunch fans - so all these recommendations and the big majority of all the others we have done are based on going there for lunch. Dinners may be a different thing altogether. We mostly always 'do lunch' in fact wherever we are - but in Spain we cant get used to eating so late - when the atmosphere starts... just our body clocks I suppose

Enjoy the diet after .............. that I now have to start!!!!

Regards
Jon

PS nothing to do with restos - but they are doing up the water park just opposite O Infante. 2nd exit in Portugal from M'way. At the 125 Roundabout on the left. Should be good when finished.

Hi Jon, lots of good info. One thing though, we get the impression that they are just using the old water park for an outdoor club during the summer months like the one they have at Manta Rota. Not sure but will post with any more updates. Regards Bryony

Thanks Bryony

We got interested when we saw the outside being painted, and that huge new metallic dome like structure - which we are guessing is an outdoor stage, surrounded by what looks like a long lighting gantry at the top... Looks like a big investment ...

Look forward to an update.... hopefully its more than a temporary club(and hopefully will have some places to eat as well )

Regards
Jon

When I say 'club' I mean more in terms of a place for (and please don't be offended) young people to go to listen to what ever it is they listen to and dance etc. They have these on the beach at Manta Rota ( a large tented area ) but they are only there during the summer. Regards Bryony

Wadda mean Jon is no-but a youth and his lady is a real mover!

Aah yes, Bryony, when I saw 'club' I didnt even think of the Spanish/Portugese meaning of the word... I hope it starts of as a 'summer camp' and then perhaps something more for us over 50's!! (That's me, not you of course ) - Including maybe some food!

Thanks
Jon

PS John - I can still rustle up a oki-koki, conga and the odd twirl

Just back and had a very, very lazy time with 3 good friends. DELIGHTED that Jag's has opened and we enjoyed drinks on the terrace there on Friday (first opening night) There was a lovely breeze, the sun was setting and the views over the course and river over to Portugal are beautiful - we feel very fortunate to be able to have a place on Esuri !

Booked a table for the Sat night and my Rogan Josh was fab!! Plenty of lean, melt in your mouth lamb and very tasty. My friends each had a different type of burger, these are special very posh burgers and they all said they were excellent. Prices and reasonable, food excellent and in a lovely setting. It will be even better when the ground floor is open with the restaurant, bar and lounge, Jag showed us round and at the moment they are working from a small kitchen which is fine for the seating space at the moment but the other kitchen is massive which will be needed for the extra covers. Busy both nights so lets hope it stays that way..good luck to Jag's as this is just the job for Esuri.

Didn't have a dip in the pool but that is great for people with younger children who can relax and natter, eat and have a glass or two whilst the little ones are happy and occupied in the swimming pool.

Met up with some lovely people again and can't wait for our next visit.

Take care all

Mel

Great news Jags has reopened,Esuri needs somewhere other than the golf club if you dont feel like going far.Looking forward to all of august over there with my family and friends.

Hi
We are great fans of Jags food but have not yet been able to find out where the new one is on Esuri, can any one give us directions?. We are in las Encinas but have not a clue about golfing,so saying it is on the 20th green will mean absolutly nothing.We are out in September and look forward to visiting it then.
Thanks in anticipation Pam & Ray

From the Island with Fountain in near the Golf Club, Drive with the Commercial centre on your right to the next island. Turn Left. Follow the road round with the Villas on your left and Apartments on your Right.

Jags is about half way round on your left

You will know the first FADESA development on your right as you come into Esuri it is called Marina Esuri this is bounded on the south side by the dual carriageway at the west end roundabout take the third exit and skirt the development about 200m round on the left hand side is Jags. The road rejoins the dual carriageway at the next roundabout and again the third on the left takes you home. Have a look at google earth and you will make sense of this.

Thanks for the reply. Sounds like we can walk there and both enjoy an evening drink rather than worry about drink driving. Roll on September
Pam

Its the walk home thats the killer but about1/10 of the walk from Ayamonte so can't be bad. Watch for the mosssies though!