Recommendations for February?

[GrahamF]

We are looking forward to a week at RB next week and wondering what good eating places will be open. Any ideas or suggestions from the regulars? Can we expect some shocking prices compared with last summer?

[tricky]

Hi Graham

there doesn't seem to have been a massive hike in prices in the restaurants. in fact many are offering 'set menus' from about 7.50 euros.
The places I have seen open in the past couple of days are: Primavira, A Rede, Vila Medici, A Gale, Happys, Oasis, Taste, Hemmingways, Harrys
and the Tapas restaurant in the square, oh and Columbos. So plenty of choice.

[GrahamF]

Excellent news - thanks for that. Some of our old faves in there. And we can't wait to leave minus 7 for a week.....

[cumbria sue]

if you want to try a few cheapies try Fatacil and Barca Velho both near each other at Lagoa
7.50 all in including drink
if you go to Fatacil at lunch time it's great for people watching, plus they change the menu every day

[GrahamF]

Thanks for that Sue. We'll have to have a look at those places. We haven't eaten in Lagoa so much but the Chinese there used to be quite good (not sure if it is still open).

[GrahamF]

So far we went to A Gale and Jardim do Farol (both good as always), o indiano EXCELLENT', casa do bife (fairly ok but not great) and Barrados which was a great disappointment because of the really slow service. Ok they were short staffed but for a posh joint that is not an excuse.

[Bruce Wallis]

I'm surprised about O' Barrada......we have been in the winter, almost empty but very good service.....almost because they were glad of the chance to be busy!!

A Gale, always good, as is Happys. I have to say that I agree about Casa Bife. Very disappointing when we went.

Some prices have gone up....the restaurants are having to absorb a 13% increase in IVA, and food costs, especially fish, have shot up.

Most of the restauranteurs are doing their best to absorb these costs and remain competative.

[GrahamF]

Yes we were surprised but Barrados was full and only 2 serving. My wife felt sorry but when you are paying a lot for the meal it's not good enough.

[pointersister]

We ate at Casa do Bife last week and it was really good. We also went to Oasis where the quality is always good and it was lovely and cosy on a cool February night. Vimar is top quality too. Happy's was busy and you really need to book there if you want to get in. I suppose any place can have an off night but in general we have found the restaurants in Carvoeiro to be of a very high quality staffed by friendly, helpful and hard working people. It's a tough life in the hospitality business

[laserblazer]

We ate in most nights, couldn't be bothered to go out. Just went to the Ritz one evening and the pork in a pot was lovely. It was nice to meet with Pointersister and Paddy in Hemmingways. I think we gave the place a bit of class, which says something about the clientle!

[pointersister]

Nice to meet you too Laserblazer and Margaret and Ian too. Glad you caught your flight back to UK. Keep well