A La Bilal — Restaurant in Aljezur

EN Worst experience ever...I've ordered a meal called "bacalhau à brás" because it's one of my favorite dishes. Once the dish came, I could sense a very odd smell, like something wasn't fresh. Maybe the codfish (bacalhau), the olives on top or the eggs. I couldn't tell exactly, but something wasn't right. One thing is for sure, the dish was frozen, because it was served very quickly. It just looked very dry, like it was microwaved or heated in the oven for a few minutes before served. My girlfriend, from the other side of the table, immediately felt the same odd smell. I've called the waitress (there were 2 of them, none talked Portuguese, they told us that it was their summer job and they would be out of there very soon, and ironically, they seemed happy about it). They called the chef (Wich was the boss), and he came questioning what was wrong with the dish. After a polite explanation of the smell issue, he started to be very agressive and telling us that left his old job to be a "chef" because everyone told him that he had a good sense of smell (I don't know what to think about this). Then, in a mid conversation, he turned the back on us with the dish on his hands and went bother other clients to ask them if they felt the same odd smell on the plate. Came back to us telling the dish was fine and that we were talking nonsense, like crazy people. I don't know that the other clients told him. This wasn't what I was expecting for a place with such high score, in a such beautiful place. It's a shame for someone running a restaurant with such an incorrect posture. You can see what I mean just by looking at his replies on any bad review to his restaurant. He simply does not accept a critique. You don't even need to be there to understand what kind of owner he his. I've never had such a bad experience like this one in my life. If you want to have a good meal in the area, I strongly advise you to find a nearby restaurant.

Also, the restaurant wasn't very tidy in terms of higiege. I believe that the two waitresses weren't working...

I wish I could say something about the food but we just waited 15 minutes without no one for taking even a drink order. Four people were working there, it's not a big restaurant and it wasn't even full. At some point I went outside for a cigarette, hoping someone would actually ask me if we've been taking care of but no, I just watched a waitress cleaning the empty table I was sitting at and I saw another guy taking the dishes off a table... The waiters weren't able to bring more than two plates at a time, not a single look nothing... We were just two nice guys who came and said hello in our clumsy but sincere Portuguese. We ended walking away without been noticed... I would advise to go to the pizza place nearby where we've been welcomed and served without wanting and where people actually know their job. Let me reply to your response : First thing, I've been a professional waiter for ten years, so I perfectly know how things work. YOU installed us to the "hidden" table, EVERYBODY in the restaurant has already eaten, and half of all your tables were empty. You don't even have enough place to serve 50 persons at once and people can easily check that on your pictures... And at what point WE are supposed to stand and get straight to you to order ??? Are you Macdonald's or something? Not to mention that we actually tried to wave at your waiters and tried to be noticed except when I was smoking outside and waited to see if someone would actually ask if we wanted some drinks or if our orders were already taken. Monday is your busy day because you choose to stay open while all the other places are closed maybe because it's your only way to compete with them. And please, don't talk about your undeclared employees that you're"saving" from starvation. You're a shame for the profession and you literally have no excuse. By the way, we got a menu because a 10 years old German girl was nice enough to give us one... Maybe even her noticed how...

Well, I believe previous reviews and pictures do not make justice to this place and therefore deserve an other one.

Went there on the night of Fri 17th August 2018 as this place was open until 11.00PM.

Location/Lay out While most of the people tend to go to the Italian restaurant right next door, A la Bilal is a very chilled and quiet place which I would definitely advise if you want to avoid the crowd. Tables are long and you can relax on the hammock if that's your thing.

Foodwise, I and my friend were hungry and ordered a snack first with a beer( bottle, no draught there). The service is kind and recommended the chicken kebab (5€). While the preparation was slightly long, it was definitely worth it! While my standards are German/Turkish kebab, this one is definitely a good one considering the location, wish I ordered the big one (7€).

For the main course, I ordered the Tuna Steak with fries (12€) which was again a good surprise (picture) . I didn't put any fancy filter on it, but I would recommend it. My friend ordered the fried squid and seemed satisfied as well ( they are still filled with the organs though, maybe you can ask the service to remove them if you want to).

Overall a nice place, with good foods and a friendly service (From what I heard, they can speak German, Russian, English, Portuguese and... Maybe some...