Italian Gastronomy Week at the Hotel Marriott.
From today (Tuesday 25th March) and up to the end of the month, in the restaurant Romy at Praia del Rey Marriot Golf there will be a "Semana gastronómica dedicada a Itália", an initiative of the Hotel Marriott and it's chef executive, Jean Paul Capitaine. Principal plates will be from Giorgio de Chirico, the chef of restaurant Prego, in Paris, and member of the Professional Association of Chefs of Italy.
Not to be confused with the establishment of the same name by the fruit market in Caldas the Café Central in Foz do Arelho is a restaurant offering good Portuguese cooking at very affordable prices.
The owner, Fernando Aleixo, invested what must have been a small fortune in developing the extension to the ever-popular café which is adjacent to our office. The result is a smarter than usual Portuguese restaurant which, although catering principally to the local inhabitants, manages to attract a significant number of tourists during the summer season.
Continue reading "CAFÉ CENTRAL – FOZ DO ARELHO" »
Many thanks to Andrew Steel of Nadadouro for his contribution to this month’s restaurant review.
“São Pedro de Moel is a still relatively unspoilt resort on the coast opposite Marinha Grande, crossing through the National Pine Forest.
The journey time from Caldas via the A8 is about 45 minutes, so lunch at the Estrela do Mar, rather than dinner, would probably better suit readers of the www.portugalholidaydestinations.com blog.
This review is based on two lunches the first at Easter 2004 and the second in June of this year. We will certainly return. On both occasions there were only a few other tables occupied and when we commented on this to the courteous middle-aged headwaiter /proprietor, who speaks some English, he said that they do most of their trade in the evenings, that they are open all year and do not rely mainly on summer visitors.
Continue reading "Estrela do Mar- São Pedro de Moel" »
A LAREIRA - NADADOURO
Situated off the main Foz to Caldas road. Excellent quality and service and a little more expensive than the average. Has an extensive range of Portuguese wines for you to try - ask the head waiter, Sr Manuel, to recommend one. The restaurant is often quite busy and service can be leisurely. A good place for a steak.
A COZINHA DAS SENHORAS DA RAINHA – ÓBIDOS
A very tastefully decorated restaurant just inside the walls of this lovely town. The food is imaginative and beautifully served. The desserts are definitely different and are not to be missed. Many good wines. The service can be leisurely but the wait is worth the while. Quite expensive by Portuguese standards.
ILUSTRA CASA DO RAMIRO - ÓBIDOS
A top-class restaurant in Óbidos with prices reflecting its excellent quality - still amazing value by U.K. standards. A selection of Portuguese and international cuisine served in a spectacular setting and to an impeccable standard. Definitely the place for that special night out or to get rid of the currency you haven’t managed to spend during your stay!
SABORES D’ITALIA - CALDAS DA RAINHA
In the middle of Caldas a few doors away from the main post office. One of the restaurants locally offering something a little different, in this case Italian food . Great food beautifully presented in comfortable surroundings. Everything here is very good and the price reflects this. Often very busy on Saturday nights so worth calling in to book a table in advance.
