Restaurants we visited June/July 2011

[GrahamF]

After some research on this excellent forum, we visited ten restaurants during our recent stay. Of the 10, five were new to us. We (there are three of us) rated the following in each case: Food (out of 10), Service (out of 5), Value (out of 10). We didn't rate decor/ambience because we are really not bothered too much if the tables are plastic. I shall give the average scores for each of the criteria and the overall score expressed as a %. I shall also include the bill (excluding service), and I should mention that we generally only have one drink (perhaps plus a bottle of water) and we usually have two courses. The order is chronological.
Jardim do Farol - food 7, service 3.5, value 7 total 73% €59
We have never been disappointed here, and always visit once. Well up to normal standard.
O Barradas - food 8.2, service 3.3, value 6.3 total 71% €67
Our first visit. Up market, but generally good - we'd go back again.
O Indiano - food 6.8, service 4.2, value 7 total 72% €47
This was the one in town, not up the hill. Pretty good, close to the standard of the Indians we go to at home.
Elliotts - food 6.7, service 3.3, value 6 total 64% €59
Our first visit. Fair to middling, but I don't think we would rush back.
A Ribeira - food 4, service 2.3, value 4.1 total 42% €48
Not a happy trip to Ferragudo. I take the blame for this, because I somehow got confused with another place with a similar name. One of us had a truly microscopic sole fillet which, according to the bill, weighed in at 0.3kg. No way Jose.
Village Inn - food 8.6, service 5, value 8.3 total 88% €58
After our grim experience the night before, we decided to go for a safe bet - somewhere we had been in previous years. Well up to the standard we expected and definitely recommended.
La Bella Vita - food 7.3, service 3.3, value 7.2 total 73% €64
First time here, and another upmarket place. Very attentive service, perhaps a bit OTT but the food was ok and we may possibly consider a return.
O Litoral - food 8, service 4.5, value 8.3 total 83% €59
It's a few years since we were here, possibly new ownership? We were all very impressed with this and will definitely return.
Chrissy's - food 8.5, service 3.8, value 6.8 total 77% €78
First time here. We knew it was likely to be pricey. Certainly the food was very good, but the portion sizes were rather disappointing considering the price. We also found it a bit disconcerting to have the owners watching over the place from a nearby table.
A Gale - food 7.3, service 4.5, 7.8 total 79% €46
Another of our old favourites that generally lived up to expectations, and and we would definitely return.

[EMM]

Phoenix Nights has reopened as a Portuguese style restaurant.
Prices on a par with Salmao and Elliots, we will be trying it next week.

[e-richard]

Great reviews Graham.

I have added Village Inn (Graham's top rated establishment) to the Restaurant Map, but I'm not 100% sure I've got it right. Can anyone confirm ?

[GrahamF]

Yes, that's the place. Need to make sure you leave the 125 early enough, ie before you get to the bridge into Portimao.

[Mike Banks]

Very good reviews Graham. We always go to Jardim do Farol at least twice every visit, and like you, we've never been disappointed. Interested to hear about the Village Inn. Now we know where it is we'll almost certainly give it a try.