Restaurante Alecrim — Restaurant in Estremoz

Went with friends today based on positive reviews. However it turned out to be one large disappointment.

The coffees were cold, the cappuccino was made with cold milk and had no froth.

We wanted to order but were being told that this was only possible at 12:00. So we waited 15 minutes until 12:00 but it took us almost 20 minutes to get the attention of their staff. They all said 'um momento' but no-one came.

The vegetable pastry was mediocre at best. The pork sandwich was just that: a bun with a piece of meat. The promised French fries being replaced by chips.

It took us another 20 minutes to get the bill although very clearly people were waiting for a table.

All in all: mediocre food, bad coffees, highly disorganized staff. Far too expensive. It has a nice terrace in the sun though.

Update July 2019. Other friends wanted to go here. Tuesday, less busy. Different crew than the first time. Definitely more attentive but still not a friendly and welcoming attitude. Do I feel at home? No.

Vegetable pastry: pastry OK. Filling only very very dark mushrooms without much taste. Should be spinach somewhere... A few extra mushrooms, too dark as well. The pea puree was very good.

All in all: mediocre. Too expensive. Nice location. Menu has choices beyond the standard Alentejano dishes which is nice for a change. Staff...

Went there with a very large group (around 14 people) and the staff was great to accommodate everyone. This was a second year in a row that we went there since it’s on the way to a wine event I usually go and I have to say that they improved from last year. The food was good but some hit and misses, with some of the appetizers being great like the presunto/jamon, with the truffle eggs being good but the “peixinhos da horta” being too oily. The bread could also be much better. The mains dishes were a different story, with a number of meat dishes shared and everything great or very good with a special mention to the “presas of porco preto” which was a daily special and the pork was just to die for. The cow meat was also very good but we asked one medium rare which came more on the rare side and a medium well which came more on the well side, so some issues there. The wine list is very good and focused on the Alentejo area. Almost no space for deserts but still shared a couple but nothing was great. For kids they have limited plates and not that adjusted (one plate can feed two kids). Service was very nice and accomodating but some time was hard to find employees. A bit on the expensive side, specially for the area, even considering...

Alecrim (Rosemary) in Estremoz is by far one of the best restaurants in Portugal. The location is right in the center of town. The restaurant is quaint, lined with wine bottles from the region and beyond and the tables and chairs are uniquely built. We were four for lunch. The table already had their sample appetizers which consisted of rosemary butter, cheese, olives, local olive oil and bread. We ordered drinks and the main course. The staff was courteous and attentive. The portions were large and full of flavor. The meats were tender and cooked perfectly. We were full but decided to try the desserts and they did not disappoint. We ordered three desserts to share. The desserts consisted of creme brulee infused with poejos (water mint), chocolates in three textures, the third was an egg custard. All three were delicious but the mint creme brulee was out of this world. A must visit if you are in the...