Snack-bar Ti Emília Bicho, Portimão

Sometimes, the panels depict a sunny Praia da Rocha. Other times, they feature typical Algarvian chimneys against an idyllic backdrop of golden sands and blue sea. When were they used?

What criteria did Schweppes employ for the choice of backgrounds? We contacted the firm that repesents Schweppes in Portugal, at Linda-a-Velha (Lisbon), but no-one knew any of the answers.

Nonetheless, it’s hardly suprising that this little restaurant which has been around for more than 100 years has one of these panels. The business is still in the hands of the founder family, handed down the line by great-grandfather.

A curious aspect (and one the involves a lot of cleaning and maintenance) is the grill that is right in full view of the tables, in one of the corners of the dining room.

Opposite is possibly the largest flatscreen TV that we’ve ever seen in a restaurant. Right at the entrance, it’s clearly aimed for the workers who stop here. The day we came, there were two dishes of the day – grilled mackerel and grilled pork ribs.

As the popular saying goes: “Fish won’t pull a cart”. Bread, red wine, olives, a genuine salad (not something full of imported nonsense that tastes of nothing), white rice and seasoning are the accompaniments. Dessert was a slice of homemade cream tart.

What more could you ask for just €6.50? Our camera almost let the cat out of the bag at the end, causing a little bit of unintended discomfort. Once again, we apologise. We were only doing our job…

Specialities: charcoal grills, dishes of the day; Hours: open daily; Bill: €6.50 for 1; Owner: Samuel Joaquim Feleciano Lopes;

NIF 232 586 047.