Cavalariça — Restaurant in Alcácer do Sal

As per other reviews, the main reason for our visit and high expectations was the mention by Michelin. Like others underwhelmed by the quiet space and lack of atmosphere, energy or enthusiasm by the waiting staff. We ordered the mackerel, cured shrimp, kale and onion tempura followed by the squid, along with a bottle of local wine. The two seafood dishes were one dimensional, lacking any seasoning or acidity to lend any high notes to what was then a really bland dish. I felt sorry for the mackerel and shrimp that were of good quality ending up on these plates, swimming in a bland sea of nothingness. The squid dish followed the drumbeat of the starters compounding our disappointment. Especially as we waited 25 minutes for our main to arrive whilst others tables seated after us, were on coffee, dessert and settling the bill. The squid was tastless. Overall style over substance. Instagram plates that you have seen countless times before, yet actually pretty dull and tasteless. I was kind enough to let out waitress know all of the above. She seemed taken back that we could be disappointed, followed by this nugget "Not everyone gives good feedback but the man from Michelin knows good food". Well there you have it what do I know, I'm just an ignorant paying customer LOL. To be fair after asking if we wanted dessert or coffee and me asking for the bill, she returned with a complimentary panna cotta. The best dish by far taste wise but it wasn't set. By that stage it was time to go. Sad to see the same issues in so many reviews. 132 Euros, day light robbery. We paid half this amount for a fantastic meal of local produce at another restaurant in the area and returned a second night, I visited the same restaurant 9 years ago and their standards are as high as I remembered. Sometimes sticking with what you know is the...

We found this restaurant through the michelin guide and decided to go for lunch during the week. The restaurant is very cute and the booths are cozy and private. Although it was not very crowded, the service was quite slow. we asked for an extra slice of lemon for our oysters which the waitress acknowledged but I guess forgot because we never received it. We also ordered the ox heart tomato appetiser and we never received it. We asked about it a couple times throughout the meal and were told it was coming but when we finished our entree and it still hadn’t arrived, we just said to cancel it. The waitress did end up comping the dessert to make up for it which was appreciated.

The food was good but not every dish was up to the standard we have come to expect from the Michelin guide. The oysters were great and the homemade tabasco sauce was a nice touch. The cured shrimps were beautifully presented but lacking in citrus. The chicken was good but nothing special. The sauce had lots of dill in it and I don’t like dill so I wasn’t a huge fan but my wife liked it. The side salad was mediocre, we should have gotten the fries instead. The whipped panna cotta with tomato jam, strawberry granita, and olive oil was definitely the star of the show. A bold take on a classic dish that really paid off. Overall, if you’re in Comporta it’s worth a visit and hopefully this review gives you some insight into the menu.

now to the food: the oysters were great the raw shrimps were beautifully presented but lacked in citrus the chicken was just chicken with lots of dill. I don’t like dill so I wasn’t a fan but my wife liked it side salad was so so with lots of dill on top and in the sauce the whipped panna cotta was delicious, definitely the...

We booked this reservation based solely on Michelin Guide’s recommendation. We were expecting a Michelin experience to some degree, however left awfully disappointed.

FOOD- Ordered : bread, tempura kale & onion, mackerel, cauliflower, pork, potato chip, lemon ice cream. The standouts were the butter served with the bread, the pork, and the ice cream. LET ME BE CLEAR THAT THE PORK WAS 28€ FOR TWO VERY SMALL PIECES! The lemon ice cream was delicious. The vegetable dishes were bland and below average. Everything is designed to be shared however, the portions are quite small and the prices are not.

SERVICE: A joke. We learned through conversation that one of the waiter’s dad is friends with the owner of the restaurant. That waiter invited his friends from Florida to work there with him. They are nice children but through the service they showed us tonight, I would not be shocked if it was their first job EVER. Water jug was empty the whole night, dirty plates were left on our table, wine refill took forever, zero explanation of the food that was served, waiter felt overwhelmed. No offense to them, but I’ve had better service at chain restaurants.

ATMOSPHERE: Lacking. It is a charming restaurant but there’s zero energy. Please play soft music or something. Atmosphere was as bland as the food.

I did read most of the comments here and it seems that management has responded to most of the negative reviews, but sadly nothing has changed. Sadly, I don’t recommend this restaurant nor think they deserve Michelin recommendation. Save your money and...