Staar Restaurante — Restaurant in Albufeira

My husband booked a reservation at this restaurant for my 60th birthday recently. It was not my choice, I would have chosen a more upscale restaurant but he knew I wanted to eat there a few nights before to try their pasta. When we arrived I told the female waitress it was my 60th birthday so I would like a nice table. We were seated at the only table in front of the bar in the middle of a passageway. I was not happy with it and I politely asked to sit at one of the 2 empty tables away from the bar with some privacy. I was told that I cannot sit at those tables because it was seating for 4 people. After we were seated, a White couple came in the restaurant and they were seated at the same table we were denied. After we ate, I asked the male waiter if he was the manager because there were only 2 other workers besides him....the female waitress and a bartender. He said the bartender was the manager. Given that my table was 2 steps away from the bar, I approached the manager and expressed to him how displeased I was. He said to me that from a business standpoint they have to save those tables for the opportunity of 4 people wanting a table. Hmm🤔...but they sat 2 White people at the same table I was denied. From a business standpoint what he does not realize is the opportunity cost of denying me a table to make my 60th birthday memorable, is loosing customers from a poor review. I've never experienced this in my 60 years. Every restaurant I've been to always accommodate me if I'm not happy with the table and they have no problem giving me and my husband a table that seats 4, especially if it is my birthday. Just a few days before we were in Lagos and a similar situation happened but they were very accommodating and even surprised me with complimentary cake with a candle and Happy Birthday written on my plate and it was not even my birthday yet. Starr Restaurant did not do any of that, they did not even sing happy birthday even though my husband noted on the reservation it was a birthday celebration and I told them it was my 60th birthday when we arrived. But they sang happy birthday for someone else so I'm led to believe that underling discrimination exists. I will never go to this restaurant again.

After I wrote my review above, the second owner responded below saying they're not sure what I mean by my statement.... My statement is very clear. It is written in black and white. And pointing out that you and other workers are of African decent does not guarantee you won't treat people differently. Secondly, I don't appreciate dishonesty. My husband is my witness, I did not speak to anyone in any unacceptable manner. I spoke to the girl very politely as well as the manager behind the bar. I did not see any tears in her eyes before I left like you said. You cannot defend someone if you were not there. The manager heard everything I said to her and if you are saying he is also an owner, how is it he did not say anything to me about it then. He would not have been smiling with us when we got the desert and told us he made it himself. Also, the only other table the girl offered us was next to the front door which was worse. The manager/owner did offer me a port wine when I expressed my concern when the other couple was given the same table we were denied and after telling him I did not feel like I was treated special. I refused the port wine because my dining experience was already dissappointing and I did not want to waste anymore time there. Lastly, the food was okay, nothing spectacular. The desert was good. When I went to speak to the manager/owner my intention was to give him my feedback to help improve his business. When he asked how was the food, I shrugged my shoulders and said good because I did not intend to complain about the food but the linguini was difficult to eat from that small bowl so I suggested serving it in a plate. It is obvious that this restaurant is very unprofessional and thankfully, there is a platform for customers to share their experiences. Who does that to someone celebrating...

I have never left a google review before but due to the exceptional rudeness of the owner I felt I had no choice. Be warned, if you have a problem with any of the food the owner will make YOU the problem. I ordered the fillet steak (medium). When it arrived at the table it was well overcooked. It is what I would describe as between medium well and well done. I totally understand mistakes can happen so politely explained the situation to the waiter. They brought out another fillet steak (picture left on tripadvisor, unfortunately I can’t attach it here). I don’t claim to be a culinary expert but I think anyone that looks at the picture can agree that the fillet steak is rare. I once again showed the waiter. A short time later the owner of the restaurant arrived at the table and simply refused to accept the steak wasn’t cooked right. He suggested that we were the problem and refused to cook another steak as it is costing him money. What he doesn’t seem to realise is that if the chef cooked it right the first time there wouldn’t be an issue. His behaviour was genuinely shocking considering the clear error with the food. No remedy was offered and he suggested we either pay for the other dishes and leave or he could put the rare steak back on the grill. As the rest of my family had already finished I went with the latter. After the 3rd attempt the steak was cooked perfectly. The other dishes my family had were to a good standard and the rest of the staff were polite and helpful. We paid full price for everything and left without fuss. This 2 star review has been given purely because of the owners behaviour. I will not be back and would recommend that anyone stays well away from this restaurant. There are too many nice restaurants with lovely owners in albufeira to allow this owner to ruin...

A memorable evening dining out in the Old Town Albufeira. Travelling from the west of Ireland to Portugal over the last few years we have enjoyed the wonderful food of their restaurants. While planning our first visit to Albufeira recently I wrote to a friend living in the Algarve asking if they could recommend a good restaurant in Albufeira. Be sure to go to the Staar Restaurant in the Old Town was the advise. Ana and Romain welcomed us to their beautifully restored Staar Fine Dining Restaurant on Travessa Dos Arcos.

As the evening progressed it became clear that we were in the hands of a friendly and experienced team. Each dish presented with care and the food was perfectly prepared. For starters we had Honey Glazed Scallops with five spices on a bed of Noodles and a Cream of Prawn Soup while sharing home made breads with aromatic butters. We had a glass of house red and a white wine served at appropriate temperatures. Both wines were very pleasant. The name Staar is formed from the first letters of their Family names

For the main course we had Creamy Garlic Prawns with generous Monkfish portions and Basmati rice all cooked to perfection. The many other options on the menu will bring us back to visit Ana and Romain on future visits to Albufeira and the region.

We completed our meal with a beautifully presented bread pudding (made by Romain) with a drizzle of Baileys Irish Cream, crushed nuts and a scoop of ice cream. A couple of Baileys Coffees rounded off the evening.

Thank you Ana and Romaine for a lovely evening. *

Booking was easy on line on their web site at www.staar.pt...