Re: Restaurants
 

Ah, excellent info, Jon. We enjoyed sampling the tasty grilled chicken, accompanied by rice, chips and salad. Plenty to choose from the sweets menu, too. Thank you for posting the menu and opening times of these two restos.:thumbs_up:

As requested, here are the links to two events on the Portuguese side of the river in the Alcoutim area.

The first link is for the Partridge Festival on the 7th & 8th November:

Site Autarquico de Alcoutim

The second is the Autumn Gastronomic Festival in Alcoutim Council from the 7th November til 8th December:

Site Autarquico de Alcoutim

Scroll down the page to download the program of participating restos.

Re: Restaurants
 

Anybody know of any restaurant that does suckling pig, either in Portugal or Spain. (in the Ayamonte area)

Re: Restaurants
 

If you want to DIY then you can get paletilla de cochinillo in Mercadona - frozen meat section

Re: Restaurants
 

Hi Pete, hope you and Mo are well.

Drive along the N125 heading from Esuri to the Gran Plaza shopping centre in Tavira. Just before the roundabout that takes you to the GP there is a Restaurant (can't remember the name) on the right hand side with a picture of a Suckling Pig on the sign. I'm sure there are others but this is the only one I can think of. Hope it helps, Mike

Re: Restaurants
 

Restaurante da Bairrada Has suckling pig Bairrada style on the menu

Re: Restaurants
 

That's the one :-))

Re: Restaurants
 

RECOMMENDED IN VRSA. HONORATIOS RESTO. HI all, we planned to go to Lupis tonight, but forgot it was indonesian buffet night. We declined and went down to Vrsa. We planned to go to the naval ferry resto on the quayside, but instead ended up in this Pizza type place. We were feeling lucky!! Now I don't see the point of pizzas, but they seemed to have a good menu of grilled fish , meat etc, plus some nice pasta dishes. We settled for the lasagne forno and the taglatelli fungi. Both were outstanding, served seriously hot, fresh and good quality. Big carafe of tinto only 7.50 euros and smooth. We also saw some grilled fish on the next table that looked superb. Staff nice too. Will be going back soon. Its opposite the water just outside the main square in the main drag.Well worth a try!

Re: Restaurants
 

We've actually made special trips to Barraida - but turned away as the car park was empty. Its certainly on our list to go - maybe at a weekend. Especially now as they have suckling pig! Thanks for the info. When passing by we have headed for O Cyclista, keep going West past Barraida and in a couple of mins, just before the bridge over the valley turn off right (towards Cachopo on the brown sign) and the resto is under the bridge/viaduct. Best steak we've had so far in the area. https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Restau...t_Algarve.html

Some resto's to consider.

We spent a lot of time at the 'solar panel resto' in MF (mentioned above with the new menu) ...

... and also the sushi resto in MGordo, Osaka - the salmon just melted in the mouth! Its all-you-can-eat, dishes individually prepared (so no buffet :thumbup:). About 70 dishes, about a third sushi and the rest non-sushi, so OK for all. The salmon just melted in the mouth. 12Eur for lunch 15 for dinner. I am totally addicted to sushi, one of my 3 fave food groups and its amazing I didn't explode. Really nice house white 6.50 can you believe, so nice that we bought a few bottles when we saw it at LIDL, and friends chose it as the best in a taste test we did with 2 others. Adega de Borba white, must be chilled! A steal at 3EUr http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...t_Algarve.html

We tried a few new restos as well, Including the newish one on the 125. Casa de Pasto A Casota. Head away from Pingo doce, towards MGordo in a few mins you will see the Rodizio resto on the right (sadly always empty so we don't go there).. carry on just a few hundred yards and you see a small door and sandwich board offering fresh fish. Nice simple Portuguese resto with dishes of the day and good pricing.

Also Artres in Ayamonte. Come out of the theater turn right towards the plaza and on your left just before the end its there and recommended on tripadvisor A3 - Casa Manolo, Ayamonte - Restaurant Reviews, Phone Number & Photos - TripAdvisor. Posh tapas and a resto, we did the resto, but a tad expensive so for special occasions as we had, and the tapas looked really good, giving Puerta Ancha a run for the money I would say. Thanks to fellow forum members for telling us about it.

Also the resto in VRSA on the banks of the river, great views! Only fish and potato. Sorry forgot the name. But cant miss it. Imagine you are on the river road coming out of VRSA, you pass the ferry terminal on your right - go on a couple of hundred yards and you see all the camper vans and turn in and drive alongside the river till you see it. During the week they have a choice of dish of the day - for a good price (eg 2 dorada's) BUT beware otherwise buying by the kilo means you pay normal full price resto prices. The meal for 3 with drinks (and we splashed out) was 163 Euros - so another special occasion. So next time we will go in the week and double check that there is a dish of the day. Absolutely delicious clams to start with... and really fresh fish. I think he keeps fish alive in a special tank, in the river so if the run out they pick a fish out. Cant get fresher than that!

Finally O Sapal on the ‘square’ in Castro Marim. Turn into CM and carry on as if going to the post office/Chemist. About 50 yards before the T junction where you turn left at for the chemist is a ‘square’ its there and the prato da dia(s) are on a board pinned to a tree by the road. Nice simple food, great pricing again and nice to sit outside on a sunny day - even in November!

Happy munchin'

Jon

Re: 19H and 'Solar Panel' resto
 

Hi Jon we will be back in the area next week so I took the trouble ( 2 mins ;) ) to do the search

Re: 19H and 'Solar Panel' resto
 

Thanks for that - I am no good at searching!

Have fun in CE

Jon

Re: 19H and 'Solar Panel' resto
 

Still a brilliant map though you must be good with Google!

Monte Francisco resto's
 

Thanks John. Also since doing the map there is yet another resto there! Directly opposite the ' wooden waiter - Cacadores' she has 1/2 dishes of the day, freshly bought in the morning depending on what she feels is best. I asked the day before what she would have, she couldn't answer. Which was a big thumbs up for me proving that it was indeed freshly bought on the morning.

Let's make a date to to to the suckling pig restored Barraida (sp) but at a weekend - if it looks empty we can carry on to O Cyclista for a repeat of that amazing steak we had. Both mentioned a few posts ago. Or 'Tres Palmeras' just past the Tavira-Continente commercial centre for unlimited freshly caught/cooked fish straight off the barbie!

Jon

Mmmmmm getting hungry especially after a month of dieting!

Re: Restaurants
 

OK probably a silly question but here goes and it's aimed at the foodies amongst you. I am bringing three mates over for golf and we have decided to stay in Portugal this time. Problem is one of them has very fond memories of breakfasting in Laguna Square and having tostada (tomato pulp and olive oil on toast) followed by churros from the kiosk. Question is, does anything similar exist in Portugal?? :fingerscrossed:

Re: Restaurants
 

Hi has anyone tried the New Italian resto which was known as the Argentinian Restaurant at the top end of Ayamonte.I believe the owners are from The Bella Napoli next to The sugar Reef. I am out at the end of Jan and I will be trying a few new eateries,reading the reviews are helpful so keep them coming.

Re: Restaurants
 

Not myself but a group went on Sunday and the reports so far are favourable.

Re: Restaurants
 

If you are staying anywhere near VRSA or CM then you could always get the ferry across and have breakfast in Laguna Square.

Re: Restaurants
 

Hi, I have never seen the Portuguese eat their morning tostada with oil & tomato, just jam. He could do this himself of course, make some toast using gorgeous Portuguese bread, halve a fresh tomato and rub it into the toast (this is how the Spanish do it at home) and then drizzle oil over it. To make it really special put slivers of jamon iberico on top.

As for churros, you can buy them frozen in Mercadona + pouches of the thick chocolate too, but not sure about Portugal. Regards Bryony

Re: Restaurants
 

Thanks for that Bryony, I like the idea of the jamon. Good tip about Mercadona as well.

Re: Restaurants
 

You must ask for farturas instead of churros.

Re: Restaurants
 

Well thank you, that is going to make my friend a very happy bunny (and me too). Do they sell them from kiosks in a similar way they do in Ayamonte?

Re: Restaurants
 

There is sometimes a kiosk in the main square in VRSA which sells farturas.

Re: Restaurants
 

Thanks, we're actually going to be staying at Vale do Lobo but will keep my eyes open when we go into the local towns.

Re: Restaurants
 

Yes, look for kiosk signs saying "farturas, churros, porras, and waffles".
Now, the difference between all 4 will be the shape and size.

Some are thick (porras) and can be filled with a creamy custard, or left for you to apply your own sugar and cinnamon. Some are thinner and shaped into loops, rings, or sticks.

See what's on offer, or watch what other people are ordering. I would order from the most popular kiosk. That way I can only guess the oil is fresh.

You will want your farturas to be freshly prepared.:nod: So watch them being made. Then you can carry them to a cafe and eat them with a coffee. You may dunk them ;).

This is a sweet, breakfast food, but in the evenings the same kiosks may be serving savory snacks (freshly prepared crisps or chips).

If the mods allow it, here is an interesting article about algarvian foods (with a good photo of different churros):
Food & Wine Travel Guide to Algarve | Catavino | Spanish wine, Portuguese wine and a whole lot more

hth

Re: Restaurants
 

You are a mine of useful information, thanks so much. :thumbsup:

Re: Restaurants
 

NEW Tapas Bar!!!

Found this new Tapas Bar in Calle JOSE PEREZ BARROSO No 16 opposite El Jamon next door to Maison and it is outstanding! All the usual tapas and some new ones including a " jam" to dip the most amazing croquettes patates in.

TABERNA EL CALLEJON mine host is Vili a delightful Bulgarian lady and as you would expect for a grumpy old man the prices are unbelievable (low of course)!
:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Re: Restaurants
 

Is it the place with the pieces of glass in the floor. Showing the old storage pots

Re: Restaurants
 

Yes that's the one apparently the cellar contains a part of the old city wall and it is now full of wine in bottles of course. However the decor is all in keeping and for a small bar it looks very good. Tables for about 12 at the inside with about another dozen along the bar. HID tells me the loo's were spotless as a bonus.
;)

Re: Restaurants
 

Don't know whether any of you have been to this Restaurant but it has been recommended by a Chinese friend who lives in Cabanas. It is in Loulé and is called Zen Chafariz and it does excellent dim sum, amongst other dishes. Regards Bryony

Re: Restaurants
 

It has now closed down

Re: Restaurants
 

Hi Any news about 19H.. is it up and running please?

Jon

Re: Restaurants
 

Hi Jon, it is going great guns. You need to get on FB then you will see all the photo's of food and upcoming events. Regards Bryony

Re: Restaurants
 

Yes but it has not gone very far! Jackie and separately Saxy Bongo have held several events there this year with great success. Manolo posts a new Menu del Dia on Facebook every day but generally to late for us since it only appears at about 2.30ish and we have left by then. We often divert past on our way out of Esuri at about 13.00 but it always appears closed then. The GC are still doing 2 for 1 on Wednesdays cheapest meal free. They now have an extensive snack, main meal and Indian menu. Solar Panels still does the bargin of a lifetime in Salmon on Saturday but may have dropped soup now that summer is here. Cacadores is reliable as ever and Luis for Sunday lunch. Got a couple of specials further afield to go to and there is suckling pig to be given a try. So come on down and double your weight!

Re: Restaurants
 

Thanks Bryony, I hadn't heard for a while and I got jittery. Good that its up and running.

As for facebook... gosh that's all new-fangled malarkey, and I haven't used it nor twitter etc.

Thanks, the dinosaur!

(Jon)

Re: Restaurants
 

When I saw on the other thread that there was a beached whale, I thought someone had taken a photo of me on the beach. Doubling the weight may not be what the doc ordered.

Not making light of the whale itself, which is always a very sad story.

Good to hear that 19H is working most of the time and the GC have really stepped up to the mark... and thanks of reminding me of the huge number of options we have around us. We will certainly try those with you both and the suckling pig resto, as I mentioned previously is top of the list of places to go... as well as the Bulgarian tapas bar :)

Thanks
Jon

Re: Restaurants
 

Oh dear, never mind. I guess us old 'silver surfers' will have to carry on without you 📱😉

Re: Restaurants
 

Good for you, Bryony, carry on....

I'm happy to be a dinosaur and don't need it all, personally, and do fine 'socially' - without all that 'social' media. But great for you that you like and use it...

Have fun and hope to see you both soon...

Jon

Re: Restaurants
 

Hi Bryony, I'm on FB but can't find him. I tried Hoya 19 but just found one post going back to 2014??
Regards
Andy

Re: Restaurants
 

If its possible to just send a link to the FB page, then I/we could save that and just click on it to see the menu and other activities, without joining FB or signing in etc. (If that's possible - don't know for sure).

Thanks
Jon

Re: Restaurants
 

Hi Andy, it's Hoya 19 Hole. Regards Bryony

Re: Restaurants
 

Thanks I just googled that and facebook and I cant see the page without a facebook account that I have to sign in to. Even though I guess that it is somehow a 'public' page, open to all.

For anyone interested as to why please read the diatribe below - otherwise delete

Jon



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