|Home| Info| Community| Business| Beaches| What to do?| Rentals| News| Forum| Blogs| Finance| History| FAQ| Contact|
O Barco
O Barco
Many of us use this venue as a bar, but the last few visits we have dined at at O Barco.
The services always excellent from Antonio, Paul and crew but we diiscovered how god the food actually was this visit and excellent value and location. On the nights there is entertainment on the square, it's a superb place to enjoy everything CVO had to offer.
The sea bass was amazing, well recommended. To start Barco prawns for starters are superb. In winter we share the cataplanas or chicken curry for 2 and watch the waves crashing on the shore and pounding the rocks. In all, well recommended and actually puts Rei das Praias in the shade as the service is friendly and welcoming.
The services always excellent from Antonio, Paul and crew but we diiscovered how god the food actually was this visit and excellent value and location. On the nights there is entertainment on the square, it's a superb place to enjoy everything CVO had to offer.
The sea bass was amazing, well recommended. To start Barco prawns for starters are superb. In winter we share the cataplanas or chicken curry for 2 and watch the waves crashing on the shore and pounding the rocks. In all, well recommended and actually puts Rei das Praias in the shade as the service is friendly and welcoming.
Re: O Barco
Is the fish fresh or farmed ?
If farmed it could be from Greece or Spain .
That is the only way they can afford to sell it to you at those prices.
If fresh it is usually at least 60euros kg.
There is little wrong with "good "quality farmed fish but restaurants should come clean and state its origin.
If farmed it could be from Greece or Spain .
That is the only way they can afford to sell it to you at those prices.
If fresh it is usually at least 60euros kg.
There is little wrong with "good "quality farmed fish but restaurants should come clean and state its origin.
Re: O Barco
But there isn't any mention of prices ? 
Re: O Barco
This post does link with the other posting by Aldo on O Stop.
Because 90% of the fish served is farmed and of unknown or obsure origin we tend to avoid it.
There is Algarve farmed fish available but this costs more.
There is also not enough fresh caught fish to meet the demands of the market, another reason for it premium price.
We know of restaurants who no longer sell " fresh " caught fish, the costs were just too high and if they cannot sell at the right price to customers it is very expensive waste or at best " frozen fish fillets " to be sold at a later date.
Because 90% of the fish served is farmed and of unknown or obsure origin we tend to avoid it.
There is Algarve farmed fish available but this costs more.
There is also not enough fresh caught fish to meet the demands of the market, another reason for it premium price.
We know of restaurants who no longer sell " fresh " caught fish, the costs were just too high and if they cannot sell at the right price to customers it is very expensive waste or at best " frozen fish fillets " to be sold at a later date.
Re: O Barco
That post doesn't refer to any prices either. It refers to prices at Rei das Praias which we all know to be quite high.
Re: O Barco
The reason their prices are high are because it has a reputation for serving fresh caught fish and shellfish not farmed.
Anyone interested in this subject should visit one of the large markets such as lagos and look at the prices for fish landed from the boats that day.
Even in Silves or Lagoa market you have to compete with the locals who know the difference.
Anyone interested in this subject should visit one of the large markets such as lagos and look at the prices for fish landed from the boats that day.
Even in Silves or Lagoa market you have to compete with the locals who know the difference.
Re: O Barco
So how much did Aldo pay ?
Re: O Barco
What a shame that I cannot say a good word about restaurants I enjoy without a high handed comment from EMM as usual
Re: O Barco
It is not high handed to want to know where what I am being served comes from.
As I posted there is nothing wrong with good quality " fresh " farmed fish I just wish all the restaurants that serve it were honest about its scource.
However I do not want Greek or Spanish bass or bream that has travelled and been stored for an unknown period but passed off as locally caught fresh fish.
The supermarkets in Portugal by law have to identify the origin of the fish they sell and if it is " agriculture " or not, restaurants should do the same.
As I posted there is nothing wrong with good quality " fresh " farmed fish I just wish all the restaurants that serve it were honest about its scource.
However I do not want Greek or Spanish bass or bream that has travelled and been stored for an unknown period but passed off as locally caught fresh fish.
The supermarkets in Portugal by law have to identify the origin of the fish they sell and if it is " agriculture " or not, restaurants should do the same.
Re: O Barco
True but that wasn't what you did. Aldo was posting a positive review about O Barco & you cast doubt on his positive experience. I have never visited O Barco but I will now. If you have dined there please share your experience if you haven't then please don't question those who have as it detracts from the purpose of this forum.EMM wrote:It is not high handed to want to know where what I am being served comes from..
Re: O Barco
Aldo was asked how much he paid, he did not respond.
This would be a very good indication of the scource of the Bass he praised as this could influence the decisions some might make as to whether to order the fish or not ?
I do like to know where the food I am eating comes from.
Is it fresh, does it come from a sustainable scource ?
These are all factors that contribute to an accurate restaurant review.
How many are aware that the Algarve shellfish industry is almost shutdown due to seasonal contamination of the Ria Formosa and similar areas.
This means that the shellfish being served is not local, we recently had some scallops, knowing the owner of the restaurant we asked where they came from.
It was a surprise and shock to be told, the east coast of America.
Had we known perhaps we would not have ordered them food airmiles etc.
This would be a very good indication of the scource of the Bass he praised as this could influence the decisions some might make as to whether to order the fish or not ?
I do like to know where the food I am eating comes from.
Is it fresh, does it come from a sustainable scource ?
These are all factors that contribute to an accurate restaurant review.
How many are aware that the Algarve shellfish industry is almost shutdown due to seasonal contamination of the Ria Formosa and similar areas.
This means that the shellfish being served is not local, we recently had some scallops, knowing the owner of the restaurant we asked where they came from.
It was a surprise and shock to be told, the east coast of America.
Had we known perhaps we would not have ordered them food airmiles etc.
Re: O Barco
If Aldo enjoyed the meal does it really matter where the fish came from ?
It was Aldo's view of the restaurant where he enjoyed the food and atmosphere, that is what this section is for, not a lesson on being told what we should and should not eat.
It was Aldo's view of the restaurant where he enjoyed the food and atmosphere, that is what this section is for, not a lesson on being told what we should and should not eat.
Re: O Barco
Sorry it does matter .
I do not think for one mnute that you would be happy being served " old fish " or cooked from frozen believing it to be fresh,
or is price the only thing that concerns you.
What is wrong with restaurants putting on their menus the scource of the food they are serving us ???
I do not think for one mnute that you would be happy being served " old fish " or cooked from frozen believing it to be fresh,
or is price the only thing that concerns you.
What is wrong with restaurants putting on their menus the scource of the food they are serving us ???
-
HampshireRich
- CVO Oracle
- Posts: 5733
- Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2007 6:21 pm
- Location: Hampshire
Re: O Barco
Because its meaningless - you will get a sign sayin "Fresh Fish" or "Fresh Shellfish" giving the impression that its ben caught in a quaint old fashion by an old fisherman in his dinghy just of the beach at CVO, when in reality its either come from a trawler and is already 5 days old or has been caught off the coast of Scotland and shopped down through Spain. Even if the sign says "Fresh Local Fish" it does not mean to say the piece you get is that local fish.EMM wrote:What is wrong with restaurants putting on their menus the scource of the food they are serving us ???
Always best to just appreciate what you have got - if its good, you've enjoyed it and the price is reasonable then I'm with Aldo on this.
Re: O Barco
You are right of course average joe holiday maker unless he is told otherwise probably does believe that his fish has been caught localy and is really good value. If it is well cooked and still eatable then for the price its perfectly acceptable.
He will then complain about the prices when he goes somewhere that does serve the real thing, that has been caught the night/day before by one of the small boats that still do go out when they can.
You get what you pay for and it is worth the trip to Ferragudo or Alvor where there are restaurants that stll serve the genuine article.
He will then complain about the prices when he goes somewhere that does serve the real thing, that has been caught the night/day before by one of the small boats that still do go out when they can.
You get what you pay for and it is worth the trip to Ferragudo or Alvor where there are restaurants that stll serve the genuine article.