Our Restaurant review Sept 2011

[Bristle Si]

Arrived back in England on Tuesday, after spending 10 days in CVO.
Great time - prices a little dearer in the restaurants than last year, although drink prices seem stable in bars and restaurants.

Happys - went there twice,on both Saturday nights. Top food, v good value - not too expensive - had the duck kebabs on both occasions and couldn't resist the Spring rolls for starters with that superb (and hot) chilli sauce! Great humour from Libby and plenty of free port wine at the end.
Indian O Castello - two visits, both Sundays - we think this is pretty good quality Indian compared to our regular haunt in Bristol. Well worth a visit if you like Indian - really friendly people working there - good value and v good quality.
Chef Antonios - not everyone's cup of tea, i know but we like it - the lamb's leg was superb with really big portions of veg - good for the guys who like a big main course! Service was v good - plenty of staff, which i like to see.
Elliots in Monte CVO - went twice (as we stay in Monte CVO) and hadn't been to this restaurant before. 1st visit was really good - nice food, good sized portions, v personal service.
2nd visit - still good food but they were v busy this night - and to be frank struggled to cope with the numbers - plates taking ages to be cleared, patrons having to ask for dessert menus/coffee, etc - they turned away 11 covers in space of 10 minutes - that's a lot of money to refuse. They didn't even open up inside to cater for the extra people wanting to eat there. 2 staff trying to run the tables - that includes taking orders, pouring drinks from the bar, clearing plates - quite poor really. I call it penny pinching - employ extra staff - what would it cost to hire a person who can pour the drinks and tidy the tables? 25 euros/night? Paid for by allowing one extra 'cover' - also this restaurant closes on Saturdays! What restaurant in a resort like CVO closes on a Saturday? What's that all about?
O Salmao in Monte CVO - one visit on our last night - decent food, but small portions - service poor - see Elliots above - only 2 people dealing with orders, etc - they were trying to deal with about 40 covers between 7.30 and 8.30 - couldn't cope - on Monday Elliots was unexpectedly closed so i think their potential customers went to O Salmao instead. Again i call it penny pinching - on other nights when we were at The Cocktail Garden this restaurant was v quiet.
Mamma Mias in Monte CVO - used to go here a few years ago, so thought we'd try it after a few years absence - pleasantly surprised - really good food, lovely bottle of wine recommended by the owner - 3 courses on this night - will defo visit again next year - if you're staying at Monte CVO give this place a try.
Oasis - had to go there once, for the spare ribs - a little apprehensive as Hans & Karen had left. But it was pretty good fare, menu hasn't changed much.
O Barco - a few lunchtimes - love the chicken piri-piri and real chips - good lunchtime fare IMO but noticeably more expensive than previous years.
O Boteco - despite visiting CVO for 10 years, and staying at Monte CVO walking past this place on loads of occasions we'd never been here before - But on our last day decided to visit on a lunchtime for sardines - decent food but anything else on the menu is really expensive.
Ele & Ela - did NOT eat here this year, even though we enjoyed it last year. Why? Too expensive - most starters 7.25euros! Wow - that's expensive even by a good English restaurant standard IMO. But it was busy on the nights we walked by.

Bars - the usual for us.
Havana Bar for 2 for 1 cocktails early evening - nice start to the evening. Thanks Jenny & Co.
Round Up Saloon - only on karaoke nights this year (avoided the sunday karaoke though) - good fun, Big Will in generous mood (a few free drinks!), hats off to Alan and Ade for running the karaoke - people enjoy themselves in here - see you all next year.
The Cocktail Garden, Monte CVO - we spent our late evenings here on 6 of the 10 nights - Luis and Catia really know how to run this place - superb welcomes every night - loads of staff all v friendly and well trained - everyone treated as if they're their friends - and Luis serves pints and not those poncy 0.4L 'large' beers! Great cocktails. OK - a little bit more pricey than some establishments but you get what you pay for.

CVO itself did not seem so busy as same time last year, but i guess people visiting are cooking more in their villas, rather than eat out.
All and all a great time - will be back next year.

[ron5000]

Good useful review, even us expats like to know where to go.
My guess on the lack of service experienced is that the restaurants did not know how much business to expect this year so didn't take on the staff, by the time July/August/September came it was too late.

[Gary/Gaynor]

Just returned from am month's stay, ate in most nights BBQ'ing but we did check out Oasis on our last night and had great meal, Swordfish steaks and Lamb Shank to die for.
Ma Ja's on a couple of nights, especially for my mum's birthday which was excellent, Mark cooked us a lovely Paella, so big we took it home and had it the next night with BBQ'd Salmon.
Very good was Snack Bar Jomar and I must say their menu is not fussy but excellent value for money (where the Portuguese eat) Steak, fish, your typical Portuguese food.
Take away on the In-Road was good, chicken Piri Piri and a portion of Duck Rice. Seems to have taken over where the Funky Chicken left off.
Back home now, first day and sad
Gaynor

[LICY]

Just returned from am month's stay, ate in most nights BBQ'ing but we did check out Oasis on our last night and had great meal, Swordfish steaks and Lamb Shank to die for.
Ma Ja's on a couple of nights, especially for my mum's birthday which was excellent, Mark cooked us a lovely Paella, so big we took it home and had it the next night with BBQ'd Salmon.
Very good was Snack Bar Jomar and I must say their menu is not fussy but excellent value for money (where the Portuguese eat) Steak, fish, your typical Portuguese food.
Take away on the In-Road was good, chicken Piri Piri and a portion of Duck Rice. Seems to have taken over where the Funky Chicken left off.
Back home now, first day and sad
Gaynor

Would you recommend any of those for New Year's eve? Are they all around the village - restaurant hill and the like. Would prefer not to drive or get a cab. When I put my own posting down - guess what got suggestions for a house warming party. No way!

[Gary/Gaynor]

Ma Ja's do NewYear and so does the Al Vela restaurant as far as I know but only having spent one NY in CVO about 5 years back, we booked for A Vela but hub' was ill that night so didn't go tut! apparently it's good. Prob a few forum members will also put their opinions on at some point.
Gaynor

[LICY]

Ma Ja's do NewYear and so does the Al Vela restaurant as far as I know but only having spent one NY in CVO about 5 years back, we booked for A Vela but hub' was ill that night so didn't go tut! apparently it's good. Prob a few forum members will also put their opinions on at some point.
Gaynor

That is helpful. Seem to have taken over this post trying to work out what to do for new year. Sorry.

[widge]

Just returned from am month's stay, ate in most nights BBQ'ing but we did check out Oasis on our last night and had great meal, Swordfish steaks and Lamb Shank to die for.
Ma Ja's on a couple of nights, especially for my mum's birthday which was excellent, Mark cooked us a lovely Paella, so big we took it home and had it the next night with BBQ'd Salmon.
Very good was Snack Bar Jomar and I must say their menu is not fussy but excellent value for money (where the Portuguese eat) Steak, fish, your typical Portuguese food.
Take away on the In-Road was good, chicken Piri Piri and a portion of Duck Rice. Seems to have taken over where the Funky Chicken left off.
Back home now, first day and sad
Gaynor

Would you recommend any of those for New Year's eve? Are they all around the village - restaurant hill and the like. Would prefer not to drive or get a cab. When I put my own posting down - guess what got suggestions for a house warming party. No way!

If you don't want to drive or get cab and you want to be sure the food's great and the company convivial, then a party at your house seems the obvious choice?

[fmm]

Interesting review - thanks!

Just to say though, every night is Saturday night during the holiday season - so it doesn't really make much difference which night the restaurants close!

[LICY]

Widge are you a flirt or what? Bon bons do not have dancing so looking at Los olivios, although subject to price. They will have dancing. Guess we need to have a look next month.