Casa Algarvia

[danny boy]

I am obviously new to the forum and recently came back from my first visit to Carvoeiro with my family, i am amazed firstly to find this forum (brill) and secondly there is no mention of Casa Algarvia i thought this resteraunt was absolutely fantastic we visited casa algarvia almost every night of our two week stay, i have two teenage kids and we all know how hard they are to please with food at home nevermind abroad we all realy enjoyed the food and tried many dishes, the service was excellent and we felt very welcome, the staff were brill, what do ya think guys anyone tried it

[e-llen]

Welcome to the forum
Casa Algarvia is one of our favourite restaurants, we have been going there for many years an I agree with everything you've said

[td]

It's Ok. While the 'Drink-on-the-house' is descretionary - the thimble-ful of Port was a little mean

Could not fault the food and the service but the ambience is lacking something. Nice people though

[Gambrinus]

As locals my familiy and I frequently went to Casa Algarvia for the good food and wines.
Sad to say we recently got such bad treatment we are not going back again.

You'd think they would recognize a regular visitor walking in at 12:15pm for a spot of lunch with some clients.
How embarassed were we when they told us that they were not open yet (although the door was open) and that we should come back in 15 minutes.
Fair enough, the staff was still eating, but we did not expect to be served: a table and a couple of menus would have kept us happily occupied for 15 mins.

[danny boy]

Gambrinus thanks for your reply, i am a little surprised to here you where treated so badly and i think you are right, a little common sense would have worked wonders. Did you go and discuss it with the manager i'm sure he would be horrified

[hexe]

if you went there 15m before it was open they are in title to make you wait. i think people dont know how hard that job is and i think they are in title to have there meal in peace because they dont have much tim to rest when you work in a place busy like casa algarvia.
please respect others people work.

[Mike,Chislehurst]

Hexe, you are as we say "jumping the gun" here as Gambrinus clearly didn't have a problem waiting 15 mins but they did. A smile, a gesture that says "won't be a minute" is all that was needed. As Gambrinus said, I've been there loads of times and no problem so why would he be so upset. If the door is open, then it's open!! I think your comments are not well thought out. Sorry.

[loretta]

Casa Algarvia gets my vote. We were there this year in April and were treated very well as we always are. The staff were very aware of whats going on around them but not intrusive. The food is always perfect if i have any compaint it would be the portions are too big !!! What i also like about them is that they do a good selection of puddings not just ice creams.

[danny boy]

Hi folks, Mike,Chislehurst well said, i think Gambrinus was spot on i do think staff need time out, its a busy place, so why have the door open? like Gambrinus said a little common sense, explaination, drink and menu would have worked wonders, but as i said i personally can't fault the place, i am convinced boss man would be horrified did Gambrinus talk to him?

[Ant]

Food was great, I had a stone steak without knowing what it was!!! was quite a shock when my raw steak arrived and Karen nearly left the restaurant when they put the bib on me!!

Karen thought the food was superb however felt it lacked ambience.

Ant

[eviljock]

We went to Casa Algarvia in March 2004. We had read a lot in the forum about "authentic" cataplanna and where to find it. Without a clear indication from the venerable forum members as to the true best, we opted to pre-order at Casa Algarvia 24 hours in advance and trust to luck.

When we arrived, it was very busy but the staff were really helpful and friendly. Like other places we dined at, the couvert did very nicely as a starter on its own. Casa Algarvia had a wicked garlicky fish pate thing and loads of nice fresh bread. Then came the cataplanna. It was enormous and stuffed with clams, pork and a few bits of sausage (never enough sausage we found but that's another story). It was extremely tasty and we scoffed the lot (and there was a lot). We finished with coffees, brandy and were presented with a complimentary port (large white variety) which in addition to the bottle of wine we'd consumed meant we had a very slow stagger back to our hotel. The bill for this gluttony came to €40.

We enjoyed the food, the ambience and found the staff really friendly and helpful. Highly recommended.

[Rocky]

Sorry but despite its reputation found it to be just about average. Unless I missed something!

[dodger]

Just returned home after 2 weeks in the sun.Made a point of dining at this restaurant after seeing reviews posted here,average,very average,Dined at 13 differant places in the 2 weeks and this place was by far and away the most dissapointing.Try Mitch's for quality or the Italian on the left of restaurant hill just as you start the climb,superb!Afraid Casa Algarvia won't be on our hit list next year,not sure what the fuss has been about.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Well, there you go. Everyone to their own. We always go to Casa Algarvia when in Cvo and will indeed be there next week.
The Italian that you mention Dodger is one that we always miss out because we thought the food very ordinary and the service poor.

[Mike,Chislehurst]

Have to agree with dodger on this, tried it twice and no more than average food but the sevice was reasonable. They also tend to use a hell of a lot of garlic!