Restaurante Palmeira Porto, Portugal

...We had noticed a Restaurante sign in the little street that runs behind the Hotel, sorry I did not get the street's name, but if you find the Grande Hotel do Porto on Rua Santa Catarina, stand facing then look for alley to the right, goes down ,turn left about 40 yards the Resaurante Palmeira, dont be put off by the Snack Bar sign, enter by the door on the right down stairs then into the restaurant.

We had called in about 17:00 and ...
...they did not even take a name. This concerned us a bit, after all its Saturday are they that slack they just say turn up, did not seem a good sign.

Need not have worried, when we entered our table was ready, there were also two large parties expected as tables were laid for 10 and 12, other tables were already occupied by locals out for the evening, a good sign for us.

I immediately liked the sizes of the tables, quite ... more

On our short stay to Porto we like to try local Restaurants rather than Hotel Restaurants, although the Grande Hotel Do Porto, Hotel's Menu looked very tempting.

We had noticed a Restaurante sign in the little street that runs behind the Hotel, sorry I did not get the street's name, but if you find the Grande Hotel do Porto on Rua Santa Catarina, stand facing then look for alley to the right, goes down ,turn left about 40 yards the Resaurante Palmeira, dont be put off by the Snack Bar sign, enter by the door on the right down stairs then into the restaurant.

We had called in about 17:00 and asked for a table for 4 at 20:00, no problem, they did not even take a name. This concerned us a bit, after all its Saturday are they that slack they just say turn up, did not seem a good sign.

Need not have worried, when we entered our table was ready, there were also two large parties expected as tables were laid for 10 and 12, other tables were already occupied by locals out for the evening, a good sign for us.

I immediately liked the sizes of the tables, quite large, a good thing abroad where you need room for wine glasses and water glasses, I do not like a small crowded surface, thats when spills can happen.

We were welcomed and seated, menus were supplied in Portugese and English.

I would say at this point that it might be best not to place you order of starters and mains at the same time, as in Greece things come as soon as ready, so main can arrive while still spooning down soup.

There were 3 soups ( Vegtable, Verde Calda and a Polenta based soup.) Apart from Soups starters seem a bit limited, but we were all happy with Soup. Three had the Verde Calda a cabbage Potato soup which has a slice of sausage, all 3 enjoyed. I had the Pollenta a bit like a light porridge with an indian spice flavour.

Main courses, you will find in many Local Portugese Restaurants two Prices on the Menu, one is for a smaller Portion.

I ordered the Roast PorK Loin with Roast Potatos, I asked for the Full Portion, the Waiter smiled "TOO MUCH" he said , small portion is plenty. A challenge I sensed, no FULL Please, a little nod and an Ok. The two Ladies also opted for the Pork Loin but the Small Portions. My brother went for the Grilled Pork (Large also).

We orders Beers for the Boys (No taste these lads) and a Bottle of Regional Red wine for the Ladies. A bottle of Water no Gas, I was pleased this place served the large 1 and half letre Water not those silly overpriced tiny bottles.

Drinks all very good.

As I said about ordering, we were 4 fifths down our soup, when the Waiter Appeared with what best described as a Lasagna sized Dish which was placed next to my sister in law, containing 4 pork loin chops and roast spuds, the same was laid next to my wife. Perhaps the waiter was right, next came an even larger dish with 6 pork chops and spuds for me. My brothers serving equally large. Also came Pureed Green Vegtables and a serving of Rice.

The Pork was very well cooked, but not dry it was a delight, of course I eat mine all up, after all we are of the generation that were taught to clear your plate especially if you have asked for more.

So for future reference the smaller portions may well be the option, although it may vary from restaurant to Restaurant.

There were a good choice of deserts, Egg Custards, Apple Pie, Almand Tart, Cheese Cake etc, and we did manage these.

I must say that when the mains arrived so quick we thought we are going to be in and out in 50 mins, but due the size etc we spent a very pleasant 2 and half hours, they do not rush to get you away, I think they expect you to stay.

Total for the Four of Us, Soups, Mains, Deserts, Wine. 6 Beers and Water and Coffee 74 Euros. Even at todays exchange rate very good and if the two lads had taken the waiters advice on size it would have only been 62 Euros.

What a downer when we appproached on Sunday Night to find closed on Sundays, but we did fins another delightful place.

 

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