Rota do Petisco, Portimão

We do need to learn to work in tandem; to make business partners out of competitors – and this is just the idea behind the «Rota dos Petiscos», an event that started at the beginning of September and which runs until 2nd October.

In 31 different locations throughout town (restaurants, snack bars and cafés) a particular snack plus drink will be offered, for the price of €2.50.

For more sweet-toothed clients, there’s also the choice of regional confectionary (€2). Organised by «Teia D’Impulsos – Associação Social, Cultural e Desportiva», the initiative was born in March this year with the idea of bringing new life to traditional commerce while at the same time presenting a project that would attract the whole community (residents and tourists alike).

There’s a passport you can buy to take part in the event – which you then get stamped in all the venues. Whoever manages 12 stamps wins free admission to Portimão Museum – while 24 stamps affords access to a lottery of wine at local “adegas”. So far, we hear, the initiative has been a success.

We went armed with €10 to check the whole thing out for ourselves: We started at the end of an afternoon on the promenade at Praia da Rocha, making for the «Salsada do Zé» restaurant.

Hmm. Nothing much to report there. Next up was the David Hancock’s «Unicórnio», where we savoured the “Algarve trilogy” – three “tapas” side dishes with sardine paste, chick-pea humus and roasted peppers, accompanied by non-alcoholic Sangria. You can order condiments to your taste, too.

Before us, 30 other people had tried this delicacy. We then made for «Porta Velha» nearby where owner Luís Coelho has created his own little number: tinned sardines from Olhão, drizzled with olive oil and garnished with onion, parsley and lemon juice. It comes with a little basket of bread, accompanied by a glass of Alentejan red wine.

“This is something I remember having in taverns in the old days,” he told us. Dessert was enjoyed at «Casa da Isabel», which offered a “toucinho do céu” – which was truly scrumptious, with a cup of Bela Luísa tea. These are just a few examples of what can be had.

It’s certainly an idea worth taking up with a group of friends and a way of discovering new places and tastes. Life isn’t, or shouldn’t be, bad news all the time! All the addresses, timetables and contact details of the 31 eateries can be found on www.teiadimpulsos.pt