Returning to CVO after 7 years

[stalex]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for this site...what a mine of information.

Arriving with the family (4 in total) on the 4th for 3 weeks and staying at QdP in a villa.

I've read through much of the site for hints and tips....thanks to everyone and very enlightening.

Is it advisable to book restaurants well in advance or can it be done on the day? I seem to remember walking all the way down the hill and then finding some restaurants were very full so choices were limited. The thought of walking down during the day, selecting a restaurant for that evening to book and walking back up again doesn't appeal too much either.

On that basis and trusting everone's judgement (I know there will be variations!) what are peoples top 5:-
Best Restaurant - Food Quality, no price restricitions.
Best Restuarant - Family atmosphere, decent food and reasonable value for money.

I can see a second mortgage approaching with 21 nights available !!

Thanks

[kaycee]

We have just returned after an 8 year break, and had a FAB time. Found it very expensive though.

We ate at some of the most popular restaurants (Ele & Ela, Happy's etc) and managed to book a day or 2 in advance whilst passing in the evening. The kids favourite was Stone Steak at MCO as they did mini versions on the stone which my boys found very cool! Didn't have a bad meal during our stay. One of the best was Oasis on the 'out' road. Enjoy!

[bruce]

Hi Stalex, just bumping this up for you.

I would definitely book restaurants then you can be sure of dining where you fancy.
Our favourites in town are A Gale and Maximes, about £50 for a 2 course meal with wine.
I have never been with children so not able to help you there.
It is a shame if Cattleman has closed as it would have been nice for the children there.
We tend to go out of town to eat in the evening.

Hope someone who can give you some better information comes along.

Have a lovely holiday.

[laserblazer]

Give the restaurants at Monte Carvoeiro a try. Elliots is good but you still need to book.

[stalex]

Thanks to all for their responses.....I'm getting hungry already !!

[Bruce Wallis]

Give the restaurants at Monte Carvoeiro a try. Elliots is good but you still need to book.

I dont know what to believe about Elliots....I've seen more bad reviews than good ones, and when we went to try it, it seemed empty.....so didn't bother.

[laserblazer]

All a matter of choice but we've never been disappointed and you don't need to sit and watch the traffic unlike another well publicised establishmont.

[blue]

I like Monte Carvoeiro in the summer, the square's very pretty & children can play safely there, there's often entertainment. Our favourite restaurant for its food is O Salmao.

[EMM]

OF the two Elliots or Salmao we prefer Salmao, it hsa a much smaller menu which to us is a better indication of the quality and freshness of the food.
Their monkfish tart is delicious .

There is the new restaurant where Phoenix nights used to be, we ran out of time on our last trip but will be sure to try it when we are next back.