Restaurante Lima - EPIC SANA Algarve — Restaurant in Albufeira

We were lucky enough to be staying at the wonderful EPIC SANA Algarve resort hotel last week, and discovered a special event planned for the hotel’s Lima restaurant. We’ve enjoyed some very memorable evenings at Lima over the last few years and so jumped at the opportunity of a table! The event was intended to showcase the talents of chef Luís Mourão (of EPIC SANA Algarve) and chef Nuno Costa (of the ALLORA restaurant at EPIC SANA Marques hotel in Lisbon). Each of the chefs prepared a starter, main course, and dessert. As we arrived, we were met with the warmest of welcomes from the life force that is Rita! Her infectious joy and happiness lit up the room and we knew then we were in for a very special evening! After we had settled at our table for the evening, we were treated to an apéritif prepared by a mixologist from the Marques hotel. He took time to explain the ratio of ingredients as he was pouring and mixing them at the table, and delivered an absolutely outstanding Lemon Martini. It was the perfect start to the evening! The two Antipasti courses followed. Chef Luís had prepared Bruschetta Bresaola whilst Chef Nuno had prepared Stracciatella Di Bufalo dish which included parma ham and figs. Both of these dishes were bursting with flavour, and thoroughly delicious. The main courses followed, with Chef Luís delivering an incredible Scarlet Prawn Risotto, and Chef Nuno offering up Ravioli with chanterelles and parmagiano . Both dishes were presented with flair, were perfectly cooked, and served as an appropriate portion size. Wine was included with the meal, and so we enjoyed a break before dessert and listened to the talented singer, Daniel, as he entertained the room. We noticed many of our fellow guests singing along and there was a lovely atmosphere beginning to develop. A sign of things to come! As Daniel took a break, we enjoyed our Dolci course with Tiramisu from Chef Luís (always very special and a long time favourite from Lima), and Sicilian Cannolo from Chef Nuno which included pistachio crumb - delicious! To close the menu, the mixologists from Bar Bluum, Jose and Tales had prepared an almond flavoured cocktail which rounded off the evening with a satisfying glow! As we then went on to enjoy a couple of glasses of Limoncello, Daniel returned for the second half of his performance. This is when the status of legend was introduced to the evening! In a very short space of time, the room was full of new friends singing, dancing, and enjoying each other’s company. It was already a very special evening, Daniel elevated it to the status of Unforgettable!! We were very lucky to have been able to attend this event, one which I hope will be repeated in the future. Huge congratulations to everyone involved -...

Not great. Staying at the hotel and had great expectations for this place.

Firstly, it took 20mins for our drink or food order to be taken, far too long when the restaurant was 30-40% full, hardly busy.

Mine and my partners starter (see pic) looked fantastic but sadly was completely frozen in the middle, really disappointing and no one from management/senior came and addressed this, I could tell the waiter was really annoyed this had happened especially as it isn't his fault. Expect much better from a place showing itself as fancy fine dining.

Also, the tablets to view the menu are awful, just get rid of them and use proper menus, I say that as someone who loves technology.

The main course pizza was ok, was luke warm, nothing bad but equally nothing that wow'd me, whereas a local pizza place outside the hotel is fantastic and really impressed me. I also saw the exact same pepperoni pizza being served as room service... which means this pizza is the same but made out to be special.

Really felt like there was no one in charge or anyone senior on site.

All in all, feel generous...

Service was normal. Nothing bad, nothing pleasant. Atmosphere is mid. Food was what you can expect for an en-masse buffet: not bad, but not a lot of choice and absolute lack of soul. But here it comes: we paid €190 for 5 people for a lunch buffet! Let me translate that for you: €38 per person. We’re happy to pay these prices and more if the food is good (as it was for example in Uddo). But this is on the verge of stealing. An average meal we had would look like this: some spaghetti (dry, nothing with it), some fries, ries, a piece of very mainstream fish/steak and a croissant or piece of cake - probably straight from the breakfast place… A small experience like this can cast a large shadow on the way you look back on a...