Restaurante O Leão de Porches — Restaurant in Lagoa

I am really sorry for speaking bad of an activity where people work but I a more sorry when you are not even taken under consideration if there are problems. The owners - the ones who are professional - have to care about the clients, about how the dinner is going, because it’s their job, or at least it is supposed to be. If you see that the dishes come back to the kitchen full, you should ask what is happened because you can never know who is sitting on the table. Due to that, if you want to be the best, you must always be careful and interested. If the owner will read this post, I will explain you what happened in order: The table reserved was supposed to be for 3 people but in the end it was for 2 so it was little and uncomfortable There wasn’t the wine decided It was supposed that we couldn’t change our mind about taste of water because the waiter have to take you different glasses if the choice is different and only them can serve it, even if they are not always careful about it. It seemed to me a bit ridiculous. In one of the entree there was an HAIR, we told it to the waitress but no one apologizes More than 4 waiter served at and we waited a lot for dishes which were not great at all One appetizer (2 chosen) was sent back almost full because we didn’t like the taste, too spicy - Teryaki Chicken Noodles. No one asked why. 2 type of main dishes ordered: the King Prawn Red Curry were overcooked, without any taste, stinky - you could only teste a strong use of indian spicy but like a fast food; the Beef Fillet Black Angus it was hard to cut (and there wasn’t a good knife provided) and the taste wasn’t excellent as expected. No one asked why the Prawns came back almost full. We were evidently mad and tired and we asked the bill that - only for your known - it was expensive enough but this was not a problem. No one asked anything about the dinner, even in the end. We pavide without discussing and we went away conscious the probably one of owners would have noted what happen so we were even more disappointed about the behavior.

So, to conclude and to point again the situation, no one was concerned about how was the dinner and this is a mistake that should never happen in a restaurant of a certain type but you are certain NOT a sophisticated restaurant and in this way you...

Honestly they and you don't need another 5* to suggest this place is a great place to eat. The difference is that O Leao and Velho (along with Rolho wine bar) in Porches were so good that I cannot not write to support and thank them again for wonderful food, drink and hospitality especially in this difficult time for tourism. They're just such nice people doing a great job that I felt I had to write something.

We ate all over the Algarve including Bon Bon for a real fine dining tasting menu experience. O Leao's quality and execution is right up there but in a more relaxed and 'real food' style - nothing experimental and arty - just great ingredients cooked and presented beautifully. When hosted by Bianca who is the epitome of hospitality there is an unbeatable combination.

Definitely try to make the time and trip to visit Porches and if you visit here, Rolho or Velho you will not be disappointed! In fact as I think about it - for its size - Porches probably has the best concentration of fantastic food and wine places in...

The charming restaurant is located in a beautiful historical building.

We were warmly greeted at the entrance and, upon request, accompanied to the dining terrace. On the way one passes another, small, open air dining area with a bar. A plastic industry-sized mayonnaise pail with a cleaning cloth on the rim was an unexpected sight.

The terrace is nicely appointed; again, the shelves behind the bar were cluttered with practical paraphernalia.

There is an impressive wine list; a number of wines are also available by the glass.

Both a menu and à la carte dining are available. We started with burrata with pesto and spicy mango gazpacho, both excellent.

As the main dish, we had a filet steak (which was a little dry, served with an olive rösti, broccoline, fennel and jus) and paccheri with wild mushrooms, truffle and tomatoes, which was very good.

Service was impeccable throughout, professional, attentive and...