One of Our Most Enjoyable Meals and other Monsanto, Portugal Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: Hotel Rainha D. Amelia

After getting settled into the hotel and changing to appropriate dinner clothes, we walked the nearby streets of Castelo Branco to see what we could find. It was about 8 PM but the pickings seemed slim - most places were almost empty and had big TVs blaring away. As a result, we decided to return to the hotel to give them a chance, since we had taken a quick look at their menu on the way out, and it looked good! Upon our return, we were ushered into their dining room and were completely looked after from that point on by their Maitre d' in his very smart black suit with its traditional short jacket. He really did everything 'just so', and it was a pleasure to be served so professionally!

Favorite Dish: For wine, I selected a half-bottle of Borba Alentejo 2002 Red, while Sue had a similar bottle of White. Our starter of black olives, cheese and a delicious walnut bread kept us amused while we waited for the main course. In my case, the brussell sprouts in butter with shrimp in a curry sauce was delicious. Likewise, Sue's meal of Whiting fish, shrimp and clams with potatoes, sliced carrots (Real Verandah style) in a sauce was also out of this world! We took our time over this feast and just soaked up the atmosphere. The total cost was E30 (US$39) before tip!

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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Address: Best Western Hotel Rainha D. Amelia
Directions: Castelo Branco

Restaurant Name: Cafe/Restaurant Jovem

It was hot work climbing up and down the boulders and hilly streets of Monsanto! After an hour and a half of that, we were ready to sit down somewhere so we could admire the view at our leisure. We had noticed the cute-looking Cafe Jovem as we began our walk up from the car-park as we entered the village, so we headed back there to see what was happening. It was now during the lunch hour and the establishment was fairly well packed with locals enjoying various hearty looking meals. We, however, were just seeking a cold beer and a cold vinho verde with outdoor seating. Once we received our drinks from the bar (only E1.10 each) we went outside and sat at the little granite tables that were set up. As soon as we did that, the bartender came out and placed the large round wooden table covers over the granite so we would have a smoother surface to work with! It was nice to sit for a while as we admired the great view out over the countryside.


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Theme: Local
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Monsanto
Directions: Very close to the car parking lot as you enter the village.

Restaurant Name: A picnic in a field

It was approaching 2 PM by the time we left Monsanto, heading west so we could make our way to Covilha and its nearby Serra da Estrela mountains. However, because we had not eaten since breakfast, we did not go very far before we saw and turned down a small lane leading off the highway through a tall grove of eucalyptus trees. We very quickly emerged into a small olive grove surrounded by trees with wild flowers of all types growing in abundance. We had stopped at a Supermercado in Castelo Branco before we departed in the morning, so we were equipped with fresh bread, cheese, tomatoes and wine. It was really great just sitting there in the car with the windows and doors open as we lunched. The cicadas were chirping all around and different types of colourful birds were flitting from tree to tree making their own calls. One of our best meals!!


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Theme: Other

Address: Between Monsanto and Proenca-a-Velha