Cozinha Regional Portuguesa

[roy4eyes]

Reference comments about true Portuguese cuisine - why do people go to a tourist resort like CVO where the restaurateurs tone down the food to make it 'more palatable' for the tourists and then complain it is not authentic ?

Go where the locals go and eat simple wholesome food - soups, stews, grills etc.

Nearby 'Fatacil' makes no concessions to tourist tastes, 'a Paleta' is mainly frequented by Portuguese tourists, in Lagoa old town there are several 'Tardises' (look like a small coffee bars but open out at the rear to accomodate 50+) e.g. o Ribieiro and another next door to the tyre garage. Out of town 'o Tasco' near Penina does rabbit and lamb stews to die for and there are many more just north of Silves.

Get out and about - try the soups (a Portugues staple), the stews delicately flavoured with fresh herbs and spices and even the curry which is Goan Portuguese style rather than the more common Indian. For fish ask for 'peixe da dia' rather than insisting on linguado, dorada etc. and try the fish stews such as calderada and cataplana (Lamim's in Lagoa is excellent although dependent on what is freshly available).

Eating like this will not only tickle the taste buds but also save you money

[EMM]

Thank you Roy.

Filed away for our next visit

[laserblazer]

Or go inland (you don't have to go far beyond the A22) and stop at one of the roadside cafes for lunch. Take your phrase book.

[cereza]

I know it's a bit farther to travel but if you are in Lagos try the Adega da Marina which is on the Avenida opposite to the marina. It is very big inside and a bit like school dinners with trestle tables and benches but the excellent food and wine is all local and very cheap. Although many tourists do use it it is mainly patronised by the locals and at the weekends they have bouncers on the door to control the queues ! The outside is pretty nondescript but the atmosphere inside is great. Well worth a try although not for veggies.

[VON VON]

Quote "Out of town 'o Tasco' near Penina does rabbit and lamb stews to die for and there are many more just north of Silves.
we have been to this restaurant many times now and thoroughly enjoy our meals there hubby likes the chicken curry [portugese style]. Haven't had the lamb stew yet but as we are out again at the weekend perhaps I will. ALSO plenty of good restaurants on the road up to Monchique on the left.