In 2016 I had seen signs to the restaurant Solar do Farelo but never stopped in. Last year I visited the winery, told the woman there that I was headed to fonte de pedra and she suggested Solar. I went 3 times for lunch last year and 3 times again this year. I should branch out a little. I am sure I am missing many local gems. I think the real attraction at Solar is the atmosphere and wine and the food is more than OK. I don’t have a picture this year but you can see it in previous year reports. Solar has two large wine barrels near the door, one red and one white. They are large enough the 2-3 people could fit inside. The wine is included with the food, you just help yourself. Surprising that such a situation would appeal to me.(:-) I even tried to get daughter Emily and husband Kevin to stop in while on their honeymoon this June in Portimao. They did make it to a closed Baffi Bar but not to Solar.
My normal ride routine in Portugal is to stop for a full meal at noon. Not a snack. Not a salad. Usually a bottle of wine, full dinner with sides and at least at Solar, a desert. I really don’t have trouble getting back on the bike. I am a happy camper. I just roll off and see what comes next. A couple days it is hard. Going up Monchique, I want to get to the top before I eat. I sometimes suffer coming back from Sagras or even a closer town if the wind is against me.
I learned last year to make reservations. I may have called in the AM to make this one on Tuesday. It is Fernando, the owner’s, birthday! For the first and only time I am seated on the porch. This is my view.
This is the menu board. I have circled what I had today and Thursday. It is basically the same every day and Fernando will tell you that something is out or there is something special not on the board. My guess is that the actual menu board is not changed often. I was remiss in not taking a picture of Val’s new menu at Baffi. She takes great pride in it and all things graphic.
And below are the carrots! Last year they came in a white ceramic dish, this year in a recycled Sardine can. Last year I spent a lot of time asking waitresses (only men waiters this year) and Fernando about what was in the carrot appetizer and I even tried to duplicate it for guests at our summer home. Fernando claims the main ingredient, beside sweet carrots, is coriander. My guess it that there is also olive oil and garlic. I think the carrots are just kind of par boiled so they are a little softer but not too soft. Anywway. I love it and always recommend it to any other diners who seem to have put it aside as not worth of their attention.
The well dressed diner on the porch:
This dish was the Lemon Duck. Fernando says it is one of the favorites but I am not sure I trust him on such topics. I’m reading Heart of Darkness.
And this is Fernando taking orders, having moved the board over to each table in order. He is the only one who takes orders. He speaks at least Portugese, English, Spanish, French and mayme German. Most of the clientele is British and very repeat customers.
I am back on Thursday. Took a picture of one of the many signs for Solar in the area.
Today it is the Fish Cataplana. As always, excellent.
The required selfie. Note the waiter in the background and it must be a little cooler as I have kept one more layer on.
The carrot can is empty.
And I have a little serbe with fruit desert!
Saturday finds me back. I tired to make a reservation days ago for Easter, Sunday, but all was booked. This is a special not on the menu: Salmon with Lemon. I try to always remember the bottle of still water to go with the wine.
Another wonderful desert.
Fernando workign the crowd in the main room.
And finally a picture from the outside. Last year I stupidly locked my bike each day to the main front railing. Now I am a little more couth and lock it to a post in the car park on the left. Fernado does bend over backwards to accommodate me. He thought I was coming Friday and I thought Saturday but he can pull out a table and set me up. I think it helps now that I really do try to call ahead for a reservation were as last year I would just show up most days.
