September Reviews

e-richard · Post by **e-richard** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 11:56 am

Is it just me ?

In the past week, we have revisited 3 restaurants that were well reviewed here, and more importantly (

) we have had good experiences of in the past, but in all 3 cases the food was somewhat below par.

I got a feeling that this was "end-of-season tiredness" and that they were not really trying as hard.

Has anyone else had this feeling/experience ?

Rob Watson · Post by **Rob Watson** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:13 pm

I sure hope not given that I'm coming out in 10 days time!

TAXMAN · Post by **TAXMAN** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:35 pm

E-richard - please name and shame these establishments - I'm coming to CVO next week

let's hope these restaurants get their act together. Was the food poor or merely the service tired ?

charliegill11 · Post by **charliegill11** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:41 pm

we were out at the beginning of the month and went to a different restaurant every night with one exception and had good meals in all but one restaurant. We tried a couple of places which we had not been to before and were pleasantly surprised and will certainly go back when we are out later in the month

e-richard · Post by **e-richard** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:10 pm

I'd rather not name or shame any particular restaurant just yet...

In the absence of any corroboration, it could just be me getting more discerning

TAXMAN · Post by **TAXMAN** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:20 pm

e-richard - how can I corroborate if I don't know where you are talking about

. You mention that these places have been good before - I think it is vital that reviews are kept up to date - so many restaurants are good/great for a while then go down the pan. Of course I appreciate it's all very subjective

e-richard · Post by **e-richard** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:27 pm

Oh alright Taxman.....

I was actually asking for corroboration of the general feeling, but the experiences we had were at Elliots, Maximes (less so) and Casa Velha do Pescador - all normally very welcoming and tasty places to eat at.

TAXMAN · Post by **TAXMAN** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:37 pm

E-richard - thanks - i hope you didn't think I was asking too many questions (sometimes it's difficult to separate life and work

)

Elliot's - I've not heard of this restaurant - where is it and what's it like ?

Casa Velha do Pescador - this restaurant has always intrigued me - we used to eat often at O Algar (above it on the hill) which, whilst basic in terms of setting and ambience, always served great sea bass. Casa Velha often looked fairly empty and so we never went there - perhaps you can tell me what a big mistake we made and why

e-richard · Post by **e-richard** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:46 pm

Elliots - new this year in Monte Carvoeiro. When I went in July, there was already queues of people waiting to get in while others in MC still had seats. I enjoyed the food and the warm welcome very much.

Casa Velha do Pescador. Smallish, cosy, nice decor. Attracts lots of repeat business with a short and not overly complex menu, but superb Couvert and, well, just carefully produced good fare - and 3 vegetarian options (our main criteria). Can be more expensive than their neighbours upstairs, but the ambiance seems worth it - particularly off-season when you are indoors.