Jan

[fmm]

I have not seen the new restaurant on the square mentioned (or it passed me by if someone has already reviewed this place).

I was attracted by the interesting menus displayed out the front and went in there for a quick lunch today. It was excellent - spoilt for choice. For 5 euros you could have a choice of tasty starters such as spring rolls etc, or a whole range of pita bread sandwiches. I had the pita sandwich (think very thin pita and slightly crispy) and my guest had a large spring roll with salad. The service was very good and the restaurant chairs etc very good. It never seems very busy and I am amazed as the food is cheap (compared with others on the square) and significantly better quality. The above came to around 15 euros with drinks and a tip.

I KNOW you can eat more cheaplyin Cvo but this was extraordinaryily good quality for the square and I would recommend sampling their menu. I am definitely going back again!

[EMM]

We went there in the week they first opened, there were few customers ordering meals most were just stopping for coffee or drinks.
With a different menu to most in Carvoeiro we thought we would try it.

The Spring roll was good, the prawns not so as they still had their shells on even though coated in tempura batter.
The " spicy cod pita " was a dissapointment lacking in " spice ".
All 3 dishes would have ben better is they had been served hot.
The head waiter asked for our opinion and put the faults to lack of experience in the kitchen.
Lets hope that there has been a real improvement as Carvoeiro needs more variety in the cuisine offered.

[widge]

Lets hope that there has been a real improvement as Carvoeiro needs more variety in the cuisine offered.

Interesting comment EMM, in what way do you think the variety could be improved? It might encourage somebody to change their offer?

[fmm]

The offer chinese/greek/japanese/middle eastern/mediterranean/european - you name it - so more variety than any other place in Cvo!

As far as having food hot - the middle eastern style dish that I had was served at the correct temperature. as it is more "fusion" I assumed that they can decide for themselves what is correct since they have created the dishes in the first place!

[EMM]

Serving prawns in batter with the shells still on was like eating a bar of chocolate still in its wrapper.

The cod ( not spicy ) which came in a cold tortilla type wrap NOT warm PITA bread.

As this all happened in its early days we are prepared to give them a second chance because as you say it is something different.

As for labels like " Fusion " Nouvelle Cuisline etc etc, These are just excuses for charging a bit more.

What is frustrating is that the " traditional Portuguese dishes " that can be found on the lunchtime menus of those places mainly out of town never seem to make it onto the evening menus on restaurant hill. ??

[tricky]

We went to Jan's last week. I agree that it does offer a good selection and its nice to be able to have a 'small plate' rather
than a full meal at times. The prices were reasonable but I took 4 teenage boys who all had mains, but to be full up
they would have had to have lots of side dishes which would've pushed the price up quite a bit.

Carvoeiro has needed a decent snacky type place for a whilte, its a pity 'burst' went although obviously not in the same league.

[joeysoap]

Agree with Tricky on last comment, about a decent snack place, especially round the square.

think a tex/mex would also do well in cvo but have never seen one in portugal never mind cvo.
all the chinese in cvo are poor, none worth a 2nd visit.
daughter and her b/f just back and they were impressed with villa medici (though they though it was run by the mafia . anytime I was there it was noticable that non of the staff appeared to be Portuguese - all eastern european, but that was before it closed for refurb.

[CM]

Well I was not overly impressed, and told Jan himself! will give it a go out of season as O Patio was poor as well, I know its a numbers game in the summer and as it was only a few quid then well...what the hey..

[fmm]

Well I was not overly impressed, and told Jan himself! will give it a go out of season as O Patio was poor as well, I know its a numbers game in the summer and as it was only a few quid then well...what the hey..

Really? I went back over the weekend for lunch and had one of their wok dishes which was very tasty. Waaaay better than some of the other town "favourites" - but I am soooo not going down THAT route again!

[CM]

Fmm , maybe I picked the wrong thing, but I had the noodle "fusion" chicken with noodles and soy sauce, €9.75 not great.

[fmm]

I had the spicey one with sea food in it - chunks of fish and prawns - it was yummy. Back in the UK now - would rather be in Cvo to be honest

[kennycapes]

we're just back from our holiday and we went for an evening meal there with our 2 kids (3 and 7).

We both thought it was good, not the best but certainly value for money, if you are not looking for a full eveing in a restuarant then i think this is it. We did finish quite quickly compared with the other nights but it was great to be right by the square.

O'patio seems to be way over priced and the service wasnt that great although it wasnt poor ether.

[CM]

O barco all the way for me

[fmm]

O barco all the way for me

You see, for me I think their food is dreadful!!! Clearly we all just have differing tastes (thank goodness!!!)

[CM]

Home made chips