We have recently returned from another wonderful holiday in PP. There were 5of us this year ranging in age from 19 to 60. Mr G thinks that this has been one of the best enjoyed for food in all the years we have been visiting PP. The quality of cooking, service and friendliness of the people are up there with the best restaurants.
We found this year that it was best to reserve a table in advance to avoid any disappointment as some restaurants were very busy, which is a good sign!
Our first night meal has become a bit of a family tradition with a visit to Nico’s. Marcos and his team always provide a warm welcome. We started with the “kids” favourite of the Roulette wheel and Spicy Chicken wings. This was followed by 2 x Utah steaks (one of the best in the Port), 2 x Burgers, 1 x Chilli. Only Mr G had room for Apple Crumble. A truly hearty meal washed down with beers and 2 bottles of red wine.
2nd Night: We had booked a table at
El Posito, and we were glad we did. It was great to meet up again with Sparky and Colin. For those of you who may have not met Sparky and Colin you must make the effort. Both are a font of knowledge and charming with it.
We started with Garlic Prawns (delicious and huge), Red pepper stuffed with seafood, Croquettes, Pepper de Padron (wow!) and Baby Squid (very tasty), which we all shared. This was followed by 3x John Dory with crispy onions, 1 x Shoulder of Lamb and 1 x Suckling Pig. We then managed 1 x Crepe, 2 x Lemon Sorbet and 1 x Almond cake with ice cream. This excellent meal was complemented by a couple of bottles of the recommended Es Nines (our first tasting). The front of the house staff, Toni, Zach and Miguel made sure we had a wonderful meal and we all rolled “home” late into the night.
3rd Night: We decided on Iru tonight. A great location to view the hills on the far side of the bay, particularly when the sky changes colour and the red moon rises. We were given an Amuse Bouche of Fried potato wedges with a cream dip. Got the taste buds going! Starters tonight were Fish soup, 2 x Roast vegetables and Goats cheese, Caesar salad (our daughter reckons it’s the best) and Risotto with truffles (excellent!). Mains were Lamb, Cod, Chicken wrapped in Serrano Ham, Sea Bass, all accompanied with delicious vegetables and a Tagliatelle with Amatraciana sauce. Only 3 Desserts: crème brulee and 2 x ice creams. To quench our thirst we had a bottle of Elisabet Cava, Mortixt and Rosada. Carlos and his staff provide a professional and friendly service ensuring a lovely relaxing meal.
4th Night: We had booked a table inside at Cellar La Para, which has been a family favourite for a number of years. We would certainly recommend reserving a table as a number of people without reservations were turned away. This is a really quirky restaurant with the scene set as you enter through a huge old wine barrel before taking a step back in time. While the quality of the food and the cooking (in a wood oven) is serious the staff provide a fun evening. Starters tonight: Pan Am boli with cheese, Prawn Cocktail, 2 x Melon with Ham and Croquettes (one of the best in the Port). Mains: Suckling Pig, (crispiest crackling ever!), Shoulder of Lamb, 3 x Chicken in pepper sauce. Desserts were Almond cake and 3 x Ice creams followed by coffee and a carajillo. We must give a special mention to the Jarra del a Casa of which we managed 2 x Tinto and 1 x rosada. At 5 euros 50 it is unbelievable value and good quality! Hic!
5th Night: We reserved a table in the garden at O’Lume. What a wonderful and peaceful setting. Jaime presents an exciting menu and we kept changing our minds on what dishes we would have. We decided on Garlic Prawns, 2 x Scallops Galicia, Ricotta ravioli and Vegetable soup. Mains were Sea Bass in martini sauce, Duck with raisins and port sauce (absolutely delicious) Turbot with prawns, Monkfish marinara, and Sea Bass baked in salt (Jaime displayed the skills of a surgeon as he first cracked open the salt case then filleted the fish with a spoon!). All the dishes were simply and cleanly presented. Desserts: Fried Milk, Fruit salad, Sorbet, and a Crepe. This was followed by Coffee with Tia Maria and a Carahio. We thoroughly enjoyed the meal which was washed down with 2 x bottles of Montenegro tinto and 2 x glasses of rose.
We then joined the March of the Demons (not one for the health and safety inspectors!) and thoroughly enjoyed the fireworks to round off an excellent evening.
6th Night: Only 3 of us for Brisa Marina. It is a good number of years since we dined here. We sat in the newly refurbished area which was bright and very comfortable. Starters were Caesar salad, French onion soup and Langoustines in batter (delicious).Mains were 2 x Monkfish & prawn kebabs and John Dory in a prawn sauce. Desserts of Strawberries and ice cream and crema catalana, along with a coffee rounded of a nice meal. A bottle of Mortixt tinto and a ½ bottle of rose complemented the meal. The staff were very friendly and attentive despite being very busy on the evening.
7th Night: Back to the 5 of us and we were glad we booked a table at
Nostalgia. Kenny (from Citrus) is the chef so we knew the food would be excellent. We started with Chicken and rice soup, 2 x Prawns in batter, 2 x Thai fish cakes. For mains we had 3 x steaks with pepper sauce (excellent), Thai chicken curry and a Homemade beef burger. Only 2 had room for pudding of Crème brulee and Sticky toffee pudding. This excellent meal was all washed down with beers, 2 x bottle of Macia Batle tinto, and a couple of cocktails. We were well looked after by the staff despite being very busy. Those of you who have tasted Kenny’s cooking will know the high standards he has set himself, and this was an excellent value for money dinner.
We stayed on to enjoy Colin’s entertainment and met up with Maureen, ex Citrus. No sign of us flagging yet!