Tasca David - Ferragudo (new “King of Ribs”)

[Mexican Pete]

When we heard last year that the owner of Tasca Lougui in Ferragudo (AKA “The King of Ribs”) was retiring and selling the business, we were concerned that the “Rib Shack” - as we’ve always called it, would change to the extent that we would lose one of our favourite restaurants.
The new owner, David Pearce, has indeed changed the premises - almost beyond recognition; but in a very tasteful and attractive way. David is also using the walls to display his own paintings, having given up his studio and boat repair business down on the waterfront. Our first visit was a couple of days after David had opened as “Tasca David”, he was having a few teething problems but was clearing concerned to iron them out and interested in customer feedback. Unfortunately, there were only two servings of ribs left for our party of four! However, all the food was tasty, well cooked, reasonably priced and attractively presented.
Having let our two guests have the available ribs, we had to make a return visit the following week. We asked for our ribs to be cooked a little more than normal so the sauce would caramelise and when they came we weren’t disappointed! When David bought the business he also got the recipe for the rib sauce and he’s stuck faithfully to it. The result was pretty much as good as they always were and we’ll definitely be returning!

[logicbob]

Mexican Pete, would you like to put it on the restaurant map so that we can all see where it is located.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&m ... c88331d72b

[Mexican Pete]

Now on the map! Sorry, didn't even realise the map existed; excellent resource, thanks eRichard.

[e-richard]

No, it's I who should be thanking you, and the many others (in particular logicbob) who have contributed places to the map

[tricky]

Mexican Pete please tell me more about Tasa David.
We loved King of Ribs and were regular customers. Is the menu the same? Ribs and usually prawn curry?
does it still close on the dot of 10pm? what's happened to the prices? Hopefully the decor hasn't gone all 'trendy' has it?

[Mexican Pete]

Hi Tricky, As I say in my review, the premises have been changed beyond recognition and the menu has been extended, but not too radically; there are about 6 starters and 6 main courses. The garlic prawns, our preferred starter, have gone as has the prawn curry but the ribs have survived! From memory the ribs are now €12.50, so a significant increase, but we think they’re still the best around. Give it a try, I hope you won’t be too disappointed and I’d be very interested in your opinion.

[Phil]

I've been going to Tasca Lougui for over 10 years and sorry to see it's changed hands. I remember asking a couple of years ago whether Jose Mourinho had been in and of course he always had been "only last week". Lougui also you used to claim the German Foreign Secretary and some guy high up in the Portuguese Government among his regulars.
I wish Lougui well in his retirement and glad to see he that he sold on the "secret sauce" recipe!! Here's a photo I took in 2004 off his extensive menu. Ribs were around £5 in those days. Also, the mussel starter was a new addtition and an attempt to go upmarket!!

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