Restaurante Casa do Minho

After a few bends along the way, it returns to the 125, cutting out the traffic lights that often cause long delays. I’ve used the route so many times now that I noticed this restaurant along the way, and finally found the time to visit it.

The first thing you notice is the open kitchen. In fact, the dining room is pretty much part of the kitchen. And as if this wasn’t attractive enough, the décor here is a joy for curious minds: full of interesting objects like shawls from the Minho region, football scarves from the north of Portugal, photos of traditional Minho gastronomy, folkloric banners and Algarvian pottery.

Among a frieze of photos of happy clients, I see the emblem of the «Asas de Portugal», the Portuguese Air Force display squadron, who had lunch here during an Algarve airshow. I have found a family run restaurant! Mendes, 59, from Sor (Coimbra) is the owner, and his wife Amélia, 49, is the life and soul of the kitchen – intensely proud of her origins in Póvoa de Varzim.

The couple settled in Albufeira 27 years ago. They tell me that three years ago they were rushed off their feet, serving more than 100 lunches a day. These days, however, that average has dwindled to less than a third.

Won over by the friendliness of this place, I see it has a enticingly varied menu. I choose the “alheira frita” (fried white pudding), with fried egg. This is a typical dish from the north of Portugal. I made the wrong choice! It was excellent, but I should have chosen the “dobrada com feijão prato” (a typical bean stew from Oporto), as this is something you don’t normally find here. I will have to try it some other Friday…

I discover, also, that Thursdays are the days for “cabidela” (chicken cooked in a mix that includes part of its own blood). Other house specialities include “pataniscas de bacalhau” (salt cod fritters), with bean rice, and, of course, the famous Oporto “francesinhas” – special “sandwiches” dripping in loads of molten cheese.

I learn that the owners’ daughter is studying at Portimão’s catering school and is one of the year’s best students – having excelled in the “gourmet cooking” exam with a recipe for creamed cauliflower inspired by her father! I am told she’s hoping for an international career in “modern baking”. She has, of course, our best wishes…

Two last points: my camera gave me away and I was forced to admit my mission. This doesn’t happen in the majority of restaurants, but it meant that I had carte-blanche for photographs and was able to ask lots of questions - and learn that other regional journalists have a habit of eating here!

I should add that this place stays open till 4am in the summer. Hard work? “We were raised on pork belly and beans!” Amélia answers with a smile...

Specialities: traditional cooking from the Minho region; Opening Hours: lunches & dinners, closed Sundays. Bill: in spite of my insistence, they wouldn’t let me pay a cent! Normally though the average price per person is around €10; Seating for 60. No restrictions for smokers.