La Vaca Negra — Restaurant in Funchal

I had read a lot of positive reviews about La Vaca Negra before our trip to Madeira. It sounded excellent and I brought my family based on those reviews. Unfortunately we were disappointed in both the cooking of our steaks and the performance of some of the staff. 4 of the 5 steaks we ordered were poorly cooked. Two mediums were well done, one medium rare was medium well and another medium rare was blue (cold to the touch). There was one medium well that came out as expected. To be fair, we only initially asked for the medium rare steaks to be corrected which they did eventually get to us after two tries. They were excellent when cooked to order. Two of our party were not happy with their steaks but only one eventually complained and the restaurant did provide a replacement of the portion sent back. One of our waiters apologized for the errors and seemed frustrated with the doneness on the steaks. He said "Sorry, it happens" when taking them back. My main problem was that the timing of our meal was thrown completely off with all the re-cooks. We finished our meal 20 or more minutes apart. When we expressed our displeasure to the waiter who brought us our bill, he accused us of being too picky. I know this makes me sound like a jerk, but I understand steak temps from blue, rare, mid-rare, medium, medium-well and well. I expect they do too. I'm usually very forgiving, but these were not close. Please don't try to gaslight me into thinking I'm being unreasonable about wanting my steak cooked to order. You asked me. Again, to be fair, they did attempt to correct the errors, but we take no pleasure in disrupting our meal with requests for corrections. They eventually took one of the five steaks off of our bill. The empanadas were excellent and the staff was generally very friendly, but overall a bad experience due to a lack of execution and rude treatment from one...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at the steakhouse, and I can confidently say that it was an exceptional experience. From start to finish, everything was perfect, from the warm greeting at the door to the outstanding food and service.

The star of the show was undoubtedly the steak. We ordered both the T-bone and sirloin, and they were cooked to perfection - juicy and tender with a mouth-watering flavor that left us wanting more. It was quite possibly one of the best steaks I've ever had, and I consider myself a bit of a steak connoisseur.

Aside from the amazing food, the service was also top-notch. Our waiter was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive without being intrusive, making sure that we had everything we needed throughout the meal. We felt well taken care of and appreciated the personal touch that he added to our dining experience.

To top it off, the prices were very reasonable, especially considering the quality of the food and service. It's refreshing to find a restaurant that doesn't break the bank and still manages to deliver an exceptional dining experience.

In summary, I highly recommend this steakhouse to anyone looking for an outstanding meal. The food was amazing, the service was great, and the prices were very reasonable. If you're a steak lover like me, you won't be disappointed - this place is...

A Culinary Delight Worth the Wait!

I recently had the pleasure of dining at this incredible establishment, and I must say, it was an experience to remember! We ordered the meat platter, and it did not disappoint in the slightest. Each piece was cooked to perfection, showcasing the chef's skill and dedication to quality. The accompanying sides—salad, chips, and potatoes—were equally delightful, bursting with flavor and freshness.

One thing to note: be prepared to wait for your order. However, this is by no means a drawback! The wait is a testament to the care that goes into each dish, as everything is cooked over an open flame. Trust me, the end result is well worth it!

We arrived just after opening and were fortunate to snag a table, as the place filled up quickly. I highly recommend booking a table in advance to avoid disappointment, as several guests had to return later due to the high demand.

The service was another highlight of our visit. The staff was incredibly friendly and polite, making us feel right at home.

Overall, I cannot recommend this place enough! It’s a true gem that promises a fantastic dining experience. Thank you for a...