Boring...or favourite?....menus

Bruce Wallis · Post by **Bruce Wallis** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:12 pm

That, Barry , is actually a very sensible suggestion. It would also give the resturanteers a chance to "roadtest" receipes that could eventually be incorperated in their year round menus.

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 11:30 am

You will need a car or a taxi but we LOVE Alambique on the road out of Silves heading towards Algoz, on the left just either before or after the rail crossing, they change the menu each month and the food is amazing, don't be put off by the exterior it is nothing to write home about but inside is beautiful and the service and welcome as well as the food is fantastic.

e-richard · Post by **e-richard** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 12:23 pm

I'll second that LJ. O Alambique also do monthly "themed" specials which are well worth watching for.

The restaurant may be far out in the country, but the tables are well spaced inside, and booking is pretty much mandatory all year round !

... and I knew you'd ask: 282 449 283

blue · Post by **blue** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 1:06 pm

O Alambique is quite near to us & we've tried it several times but I'm afraid we don't rate it very highly, the food is spot on, the menu interesting & changed each month but there has never been more than a couple of other tables taken when we've been in & it has been totally lacking in any form of atmosphere, the waiter is efficient but takes himself way too seriously, he's given us worthy lectures on the food & wine & seems to have had a sense of humour bypass. We've tried different nights but have obviously been unlucky, when would you say the best night to go is?

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 2:27 pm

blue that is amazing as we found the waiter really fun, he kept flirting with my girls, and me! (altho' I think he might bat for the other side as they say) the chef is great too, always comes out and chats and asks what you think of the food.
Maybe if more people knew of this place it would be a bit busier but when we were there last it was well over half full.

blue · Post by **blue** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 3:18 pm

Just looked at their menu, it looks delicious so think we will have to give it another try. http://www.alambique.de/menu.htm

I think you could be right about the waiter LJ, we had our 2 very beautiful daughters with us last time & he seemed far more interested in our son!

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 4:10 pm

blue wrote:Just looked at their menu, it looks delicious so think we will have to give it another try. http://www.alambique.de/menu.htm

I think you could be right about the waiter LJ, we had our 2 very beautiful daughters with us last time & he seemed far more interested in our son!

haha............. that's what I reckoned, he was such a 'sweet' boy

kappa · Post by **kappa** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 4:30 pm

the waiter is the boyfriend of a friend (girl!) of mine!!! But you never know ...

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:33 pm

kappa wrote:the waiter is the boyfriend of a friend (girl!) of mine!!! But you never know ...

haha.......... he just comes across as a bit 'precious' sorry, he is probably a really nice bloke.

kappa · Post by **kappa** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:38 pm

Oh yes, he likes doing the cooking, iron clothes - very untypical for a portuguese man

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 8:57 pm

I really do apologise for any misunderstanding about the waiter, I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions just because he seemed a bit camp.
So sorry. He was rather cute tho'

blue · Post by **blue** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 9:57 pm

He's obviously just in touch with his feminine side, I wish he'd be a bit more relaxed in the restaurant though, the trouble is he's always on his own & has to do everthing so even when the place is empty it seems to take an age.

holiday1 · Post by **holiday1** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:19 pm

Bruce Wallis wrote:Reading the Jardin thread I am struck by comments about boring and predictable menus.

I have to confess that even though I have favourite restaurants, I do end up by being bored by the menus, and because of that go seeking fresh fields , so as to speak.

Our regular first night restaurant is A Gale, but I can almost quote you the menu which has hardly changed in 5 years, from here!
We still use A Gale, mainly because we are friendly with Carla, the owner.

I havent been to Happys for the last 2 visits because I cant be bothered to book ahead for Fish and Chips or a Kebab, even though Libbre is a great guy.

The same with Elle and Ella. Basically I enjoy smoked duck and rack of lamb....but want something new.
I know Harald changed his menu a couple of years ago, but there was such an out cry he went back to what his clients wanted.

So......we strike out and search for new experiences. All of them away from restaurant hill which is all so boringly samey and predictable.
Restaurant hill is fine for one off holiday makers and golf weekends, but if you live locally, or visit 4 or 5 times a year, soon palls.

The good news is folks, that if you get in your car and travel relatively small distances, listen to word of mouth recommendations, there is a world of quality choice out there.

Ferragudo, Silves, Lagoa, Porches, Benagil....all homes to several excellent, if in the main, slightly more expensive restaurants.

Whilst I can to some extent understand your point, we always have excellent food in Carvoeiro, and are generally there for a fortnight during which time we are able to get sufficient variety. Furthermore with a small child sometimes predictability is important!!

Bruce Wallis · Post by **Bruce Wallis** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 5:36 pm

I mean this with the best of intentions. As you get more familiar with the place, try and get out and about....believe me, there are some treats in store, and well worth the short drive involved

Mike Banks · Post by **Mike Banks** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:35 pm

One reason why we are happy to eat locally, is that my wife won't drive on the wrong side of the road (I don't know why; she manages to do it perfectly well here in UK!!!). This means that I would not be able to drink, and I like a drink with a meal. We do travel further out when either of my teetotal sons comes out to join us.

Boring...or favourite?....menus

Re: Boring...or favourite?....menus