Following on from FMM's comment in the travel chaos post, I am starting this so as to not divert the purpose of that topic.

I am constantly frustrated by the opinions of many restaurant owners in CVO. If there are not enough customers to fill every restaurant table in town then the only possible options are to either make sure you can make a profit with a lower occupancy or nick clients off the opposition.

I suggested a deal for 'stranded' clients - it doesn't have to be much (20% off / free bottle of house wine) but surely doing something your competition is not (i.e. having a USP) is the way forwards. I can see the forward thinking Phoenix nites doing a 'Dunkirk night' for the stranded holidaymakers but aside from putting out their boards each night what sort of marketing/promotions do the others do to ensure their survival?

When our children were younger it was important to us to eat a bit earlier than normal (about 6.00pm). One of the few places that opened early was Villa Medici - and by doing so was always pretty much full by 7pm. I would then witness people walking down the hill seeing a full restaurant as opposed to the 'just opening' other restaurants and they would actually wait for a table in Medici rather than walk into a nearby empty restaurant.

One time visitors anywhere will not walk into an empty restaurant - they assume everyone else knows something they don't - how about opening a bit earlier and doing an early bird special with the proviso that the table is returned by 8pm? This way you will look busy early on and manage to turn the tables twice - I appreciate a little profit sacrifice on the first sitting but it makes sense overall.

Times are hard and a little enterprise is required. It is amazing how many taxis go to Gramacho between 7.30pm and 8.30pm (and no doubt to the other complexes as well) - An enterprising bar/restaurant owner should look at sending a minibus up there to collect a whole bunch of customers in one go. It wouldn't cost much and has the added benefit that you are attracting owners who are more likely to spend all year round.

Where are the delivery services? I note that Donato's is now delivering pizzas and I cannot believe how busy that little moped is. Which enterprising restauranteur (especially the Indian and Chinese) will follow this lead and start a decent home delivery service?

Sorry - rant over but having a marketing background I hate to see these opportunities missed

Graham

Graham

Great post - but I wonder if many/any Cvo restauranteurs use this site. I think it makes eminent sense to have the restaurant owners offer transport (in normal as well as difficult times) when clients call to book a table - 'adding value' is the marketing parlance I believe.

This topic has been 'beaten to death' elsewhere on this forum in a discussion over The Square and the attitude of some business owners to the improvements. It seems a few want to go back to the old system and have the place overrun with cars - the majority (it appears) embrace the improvements and want the cars outside the village/town.

Phoenix nights has had a special offer on since last year, Elliots dis as well. Ele and ela has a special.

A special offer since last year is not exactly a 'special offer'. I know Ele & Ela have a special but I would expect that of every restaurant. Alternative thinking is required!

Good post Graham and very good points but enterprising restaurant owners in CVO? errmmm nah doubt it! I don't think restaurant owners will take initiative. I have seen some restaurants practically empty sooner that put prices down Bringing in the local supermarkets into this (think there are three left) my sister found it cheaper to hire a car for a week extra and shop at the larger supermarkets that shop in CVO. As a Euro earner myself living in the Euro zone, I find them legalized bandits with a smile… sorry but my opinion, others may have the opposite. We try and put as much of our hard earned Euros into CVO village, eating out periodically, buying our drinks at the local winery (below Matabixo bar) purchasing little trinkets to take home to friends and family but there are limits to what I would spend in some of these local food markets. Anyway hope my sister gets home, flight put back till next Monday earliest. Gary and I come out next month, so lets hope it all clears for airspace. Only advantage with living in Holland is that we can take the car down to CVO in need be.
Gaynor

Lets not get into that old arguement that some suggest that restaurant owners and local stores should subsidise poor UK holiday makers.
There are plenty of cheaper eating out options if you look around, granted that these may not be in the centre but they do exist.
Also the menu choice in these more affordable places may be biased towards local taste rather than we more selective Nothern Europeans.
I suggest that is somewhere did put on selection of simple bean and meat based dishes they would get little business however low the price.

A very economic expamle, 1 pack of LOCAL sausage, 1 tin tomatoes, 1 tin white beans, 1 onion, a of couple of carrots,1 red pepper. garlic/chili to suite your tastes, mixed herbs.

THis will give you a meal that will feed 4 or two meals for 2, add some crusty bread or potatoes.

I wonder how may holiday makers would order this type of food. ??

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EMM wrote:Lets not get into that old arguement that some suggest that restaurant owners and local stores should subsidise poor UK holiday makers.
There are plenty of cheaper eating out options if you look around, granted that these may not be in the centre but they do exist.
Also the menu choice in these more affordable places may be biased towards local taste rather than we more selective Nothern Europeans.
I suggest that is somewhere did put on selection of simple bean and meat based dishes they would get little business however low the price.

A very economic expamle, 1 pack of LOCAL sausage, 1 tin tomatoes, 1 tin white beans, 1 onion, a of couple of carrots,1 red pepper. garlic/chili to suite your tastes, mixed herbs.

THis will give you a meal that will feed 4 or two meals for 2, add some crusty bread or potatoes.

I wonder how may holiday makers would order this type of food. ??

Well it's an argument that is often brought up so I guess the need for discussion goes on. We are looking at this pricing in general across several boarders here EMM. I spend as much as I can in CVO but there are people who are on very limited budgets and find it surprisingly expensive at the moment. As I said I live and work in a Euro zone nothing really surprises me at all when it comes to pricing, Holland being v. expensive, more so that Portugal. For those that have to budget long term and especially in this crisis, the restaurants can make a small "killing by giving discounts. Even a small offering of 10% just to keep them coming into the restaurnats,would help us all especially with a family of four or more. I am sure that most of us mothers, wives, girlfriends and assorted partners can knock up a simple meal no problem at all, just wondering about all those in Hotels on ½ board etc who do not have options.

Many thanks for the simple bean recipie, I may just try thet when we are out next month EMM.
Gaynor

EMM - the point raised was nothing to do with eating cheaper and/or supermarkets - it was simply asking the question of restauranteurs to make a gesture to 'stranded' travellers.

As frequently happens on here the point was expanded to include other incentives/initiatives restauranteurs might consider to generate business during these difficult times. That's all

My thoughts are that even if restaurants offered good value basic portuguese food insteasd of the mediocre fare that most offer they would not find many takers. Hence they are stuck with serving higher cost items with obviously less scope for cost reductions.

EMM - my understanding of this post was as mentioned in the earlier post.

However, it was also about the restauranteurs becoming more imaginative in the way they market their goods and services - not necessarily reducing their prices. One suggestion was to offer to arrange transport to their establishment at the time of booking the table. There are numerous other methods - so this is just one.

We don't choose our restaurants on the basis of price - quality and ambience are our prime requirements.

I agree as no longer holidaymakers we too look for quality etc when deciding to eat out.
But from observation when on holiday many just menu read and as most are similar if not identical it is usually the busier places that attract more business.
Why they should be busier when there is no discernable difference is one of lifes mysteries.
The less busy places instead of trying to be different think that all they have to do is copy what appears to be a winning formulae
There are exceptions ( Taste is one ) where rather than just repeat the success of Ele and ela they have tried something new.
It seems to have worked for them.

As suggested why do not some offer a meal of the day package for early diners, we have drinks happy hours so why not " meal happy hours ".
This could tempt those who appear to be self catering to come out. " Its Bums on seats " that matter.

Now we are getting somewhere. Another thought but when was the last time, after you finished a meal, they handed you a card offering you a discount at one of the local (but not necessarily nearest) bar?

Graham

It's not in their culture to do that - I know what you're thinking!

Similarly, in other parts of Europe 'salesmen' hover on the street capturing menu browsers - all activities that are alien to the provincial Portuguese ethos - but somebody has got to be first - something the Portuguese don't do automatically (be first).

Having said that and while it is not a restaurant - Big Will at The Round-Up does it. He is a perfect example of pro-active marketing.

Carvoeiro is the only resort in the Algarve that we know where you are not hassled by " promos " trying to get you in ( CVO is a much better place because of this )
Its certainly part of the Portuguese character.

It does not need much, why not offer a free 1/2 bottle of house wine for a return visit. It just needs someone to get the ball rolling.