SMOKEHOUSE

[Lesley Jean]

Sometimes its better not to comment, than say something stupid

Quite agree Tricky, they are just boosting their oranges I reckon, no sensible addition to this conversation .....

[Sandy]

Agree.

[Bruce Wallis]

Poppy's restaurant in Vale de Rei would be a good venue, easy to get to, possibly cheap rent and already set up as a restaurant. It would be nice to see it working again.

Agree perfect location and a nice restaurant both inside and out.

But why did it close down then? Went there several times and the food was great and very reasonable.

Poppys was a great restaurant, like LJ we enjoyed it......BUT....and isn't there always a BUT........it's also about location and passing trade, and my understanding is that is what really killed Poppys, and sadly, could be a potential landmine for the smokehouse people.

Poppys had a good reputation, but unless you knew where it is, you would just never find it. Virtually no passing trade. A shame, just like the Smokehouse. We were actually booked in to go there this weekend.

[Lesley Jean]

Sorry I have to disagree with you about the location of Poppy's Bruce, Vale de Rei has a huge apartment/hotel complex as well as the Quinta do Rosal apartments and villas, Poppy's used to get really busy with the previous owners (before the last one) it is down to how you advertise and your menu and the whole 'package' of hospitality, friendliness, quality of food and service and price.

[pickwick]

Hi

You are 100% correct Lesley Jean. Poppys is not off the beaten track and the location had nothing to do with the demise Bruce. If a restaurant is good enough, offers value for money and good customer service it will survive. Recanto dos Mouros in Silves, Three Chimneys on Skye, O Barradas in Silves and Champany http://www.champany.com/ are just some examples I can think of off the cuff. Champany is one of the best steak restaurants in Scotland and is in the middle of nowhere!!!

I think Poppys would be a great base for The Smokehouse and hope John & Sue give it due consideration.

Pickwick

[Bruce Wallis]

I stand corrected!!!

[EMM]

I doubt it will be just as simple as finding new premises.
In high season Boa Nova is a busy little resort and being the resident Cafe the smokehouse would have benefited from a day long captive market.
In addition the passing trade and regulars from Carvoeiro and the west side gave them a good business base.
The premises and dining area inside and out were large.
Finding a place with all that Boa Nova offered will not be easy.
We will miss our provider of smoked fish I doubt that we would drive to the " Far East end "

[widge]

The food is better than many. could do with more seasoning and stronger flavoured sauces but that is down to personal taste.
Drinks are expensive and we refused to pay their prices for fresh orange juice.
Given the price of oranges it was exorbitant.

Judging by your review you weren't a regular !

[EMM]

We were regular buyers of smoked fish, as a restaurant/ cafe it was OK but not somewhere we would go out of our way to visit.
But we still wish them well wherever /if they decide to re open.

[pato]

I stand corrected!!!

I just love it when you act subserviently Bruce, I find it sort of attractive in a feminine way!

[suziebear]

Thanks for all your posts, support and good wishes. However, after 5 years of hard work, trying to make a success of what we passionately believed in, we have finally decided that enough is enough.

Our only failure was putting our trust into people we thought we could trust.

Back to the UK it is, serious job hunting going on.

Thanks again..

[tricky]

You gave it a go and you tried.... i'm sure you would've regretted it if you hadn't. Good luck for the future

[patti]

Suzibear
So sorry to read that you are leaving.We always enjoyed our visits to your restaurants.

Good luck for the future

[alf1956]

i agree that it is better to have tried even if you have failed that be sat there wondering "what if"i also share the sentiments of other posters by wishing you all the best in whatever you choose to do back in the uk&i hope you keep us posted on here.i too did have a few nice meals at the smokehouse&was sorry to hear of its demise.i have been up there to have a look around&it does look a bit desolate up there although to be fair it was early february when most places are like that

[Gary/Gaynor]

I hope that you ind success back in the UK. You certainly did not fail, failures are sign posts on the road to achievements. Good luck in all you do in the future.
Gaynor