My parents are flying out tomorrow for 3 weeks in CVO (lucky beggars!). Despite being regulars for the last 15 years (at least 4 times a year and owned an apartment for a few years - which they sold - ARRGGHH!) they are a bit limited in their choice of restaurants. Does anyone know if Escondidinho's will be open in January? Any other good recommendations for good value restaurants (my dad is a tight Yorkshireman!) will be gratefully received as I am trying to get them to visit a few more places.

Thanks in advance.

The words Tight and Yorkshireman is simply a repetiton!

Better send him to Barca Velha or Fatacil (shut at the mo) in Lagoa where he can get a big feed for not much. Barca have even absorbed the IVA increase.

O Branco. It's just around the corner from Escondidinho's and does a good cheap set menu. It's popular with the locals, there's always a few having a lunchtime or after work drink outside. I've found them to be very friendly.

Branco's - near CVO tennis club is open every lunchtime and a 2 course + wine + coffee + brandy is stil only €7

We would recommend for a value for money eaterie would be O Palmeria in Estombar. They do a great 7.50 special and the fish has always been good, but it does get very busy on the lunchtime with the locals. Ours unfortuantly is closed as we are on hols till March.

Yorkshiremen are not 'tight' - just generously careful with their money

That is why we eat regularly at the Fatacil which reopens, I think, on the 18th.

The restaurants mentioned only seem to have the " bargain meals" at lunch time : Escondinho's does them in the evening. I recall Carlo saying they were to open in early January....I hope they are by the time we come in early February.
A Paleta in Lagoa have a reasonable a la carte where you can have soup, chicken and wine for about €10 in the evening.

The trouble is that what was open at this time last year in the village won't necessarily be open this year, if they've got a car they're best off heading for the hills, lots of cheap restaurants, sorry, good value. .

Unfortunately, I see Carvoeiro tourism going downhill - where is the quality tourism we used to have with nively dressed customers, using a good perfume having a good wine who are more bothered to have a nice meal rather than those going out in a track-suit and who are bothered just to eat something cheap ... what a shame for Carvoeiro tourism ...

kappa wrote:Unfortunately, I see Carvoeiro tourism going downhill - where is the quality tourism we used to have with nively dressed customers, using a good perfume having a good wine who are more bothered to have a nice meal rather than those going out in a track-suit and who are bothered just to eat something cheap ... what a shame for Carvoeiro tourism ...

You obviously haven't been out there at the same time to me then........ pure class

What we love about Portugal is that you can enjoy a good local house wine and have a freshly cooked , good value meal, for a very reasonable price. The poor exchange rate has tended to make " tourist trap restaurants" even more expensive : some are fine for an occassional splurge, but they are expensive for everyday eating out.....they may have better decor than the Portuguese local, but they often lack charm.....you could sometimes be anywhere in the world. We come to Portugal to try and live a bit like some of the locals, not just as ex-pat tourists......and thus patronise the local eateries.
Writing as someone who doesn't own a tracksuit, doesn't use perfume and prefers vlaue-for-money, not just cheapness!

Happy's has already re-opened this year, but sadly Harry not there any more. We'll miss being amused and abused by both Libbe and Harry, but wish Harry all the best for the future.

Geoff wrote:The restaurants mentioned only seem to have the " bargain meals" at lunch time : Escondinho's does them in the evening. I recall Carlo saying they were to open in early January....I hope they are by the time we come in early February.
A Paleta in Lagoa have a reasonable a la carte where you can have soup, chicken and wine for about €10 in the evening.

O Branco's open in the evening. All year round I believe.

Yet again Indiano was the busiest place in the village, we had to wait 20 mins for a table and for most of the night anyone who had not booked was given and estimated waiting time .

As Castello will be closed until march if you must have your ration of good Indian food then suggest that you book.

R.Wethereyet wrote:Happy's has already re-opened this year, but sadly Harry not there any more. We'll miss being amused and abused by both Libbe and Harry, but wish Harry all the best for the future.

That's sad to hear - he's been great fun over the years and always came into Round Up after work for a beer and a laugh. Do you know where he's gone? Has he gone back to Amsterdam?