JIMBU — Restaurant in Évora

Maybe I have higher expectations since I eat and make basic Indian, Vietnamese, Thai and Mexican food at home, but this food all tasted the same, was all too spicy, was served lukewarm or cold, and in very small dishes. The place is beautiful and service efficient. The pakora were 4 or 5 cold, flat, disks like cucumber slices, not crispy, and with no sign of vegetables. The dal soup (€5) was a cup of lukewarm water, with no lentils. I had just tasted it when the friendly owner came to ask how I liked it. He took it back, suggesting his "substancial dal with tomatoes, which comes with rice or Naan." (€9) I agreed, and received two, cute copper bowls the size of cappucino cups, one with the dal which seemed to be cream, canned tomato sauce, a few tiny suspended lentils, and the pakora spice mix, but more of it. The one of plain, lukewarm rice I was charged €2.50 extra for. When asked how I liked this dal, I said I'd hoped for the lentils and tomato he'd mentioned. He said that was a special "cream dal," and insisted on bringing a "vegetable curry." He asked how I liked the spiciness. I said the dal was already a bit too much for me. I'd only eaten 1/4 of it mixed with the rice. The vegetable dish was even spicier; the same strange mix without fresh aroma or flavor that cardomen, cinnamon, curcumen, cumin, coriander, cilantro, or black mustard seed normally provide. It had no coconut milk. The broccoli bits were just mushy strands. Like the potato bits they seemed cooked a long before. I was very hungry, having missed lunch, and I wanted to show appreciation for his efforts, but it was so spicy I couldn't eat more than a few vegetable bits. I ate all the rice that was not too spicy from the sauce or the cauliflower bits. I paid €18.50 to drink the water, (sitting on the table in a glass jar, not labelled spring water, €2.50 added to bill) . eat the complimentary half papapum, 4 or 5 cold pakora slices, almost a full cup of white rice, and a few spoonfuls of food that did not seem freshly...

Everything about this restaurant is exceptional! The decor is so beautiful, and the ambiance so relaxing, with the lovely music in the background. And the service is excellent. The charming young lady who served us, spoke very good English (helpful to us) and was both friendly and efficient. Everyone else in the restaurant was very pleasant also. And the food was some of the best we have had anywhere! The pappadam with three sauces was very flavorful, and then came the garlic naan, which was so light and delicious. I ordered the Dal Makhani which was wonderful, and my husband got the Piro Tawa Fish, which was also delectable. We shared dishes, and the combination of the two was really good, especially with the spicy sauce that was brought to the table (I would have liked even more of that!) We ordered basmati, but we probably didn't need to, as we didn't end up eating it all (I think some must come with the Dal?) And the glass of red wine my husband ordered was excellent. Such high quality on every level, and with such reasonable prices. This...

Had absolutely fantastic dinners during our short stay in Évora here!

First of all, the building itself is absolutely beautiful with epic ceilings. The place is well decorated with cultural references of Nepal. The ambience was perfect, with a quiet background music which still allows us to converse.

For the main part, the food was amazing and perfectly seasoned. The portion is just about right, but still a great value for the price. And speaking of price, all of the dishes are reasonably priced. On top of that, they also gave us free appetizer.

Service was wonderful. Very friendly and attentive, and the food arrived quickly.

The only downside in my experience is the fact that JIMBU is located in Évora and since I live in Braga, I probably can't experience the amazing dinners again. Though if ever I come back to Évora again, I'll definitely come back for dinner...