O Serrote - Borba

Clean, quiet, very tasty local cuisine, cooked like at home. Enough wine choices available. All this at a regular price. Excellent endeed

On the way back to Lisbon from Merida, stopped for lunch in Borba. Couldn't find anywhere attractive on the main road so consulted TA and found this place was close to the main Adega. Despite having the map and address to put in the GPS, we couldn't see anything that looked like a restaurant, so had to ask a local, who pointed to an anonymous looking doorway up some steps in a row of houses. On looking through the glass door, we saw the name and a large representation of a woodsaw, confirming we were in the right place. Later we found out that if a restaurant had an external sign that could be read from 25 m. away then they had to pay a large additional fee on the licence. We wondered if this applied to the Adega which had letters nearly two meters high painted on the walls. The dining room was like a front room of a house next to a small bar and till at the entrance. A few tables were occupied by locals. The owner was doing all the serving, and was quietly efficient though looking a little harassed. The food on offer was standard Portuguese with generous size and freshly cooked. The local olives, crusty bread and a fine extra virgin olive oil from a local producer were all very good. Having been in meat-loving Spain for the weekend we opted for grilled garoupa and salmon steaks although one of our party couldn't resist the grilled mixed meat which was mainly pork and chicken, but very generous portions. The chips and boiled vegetables were freshly prepared and hot, and it was a good cheap lunch. I won't hesitate to stop there next time I pass.

We went to another restaurante first and because it was full we went back to Borba 's centre and found Serrote (although it is not easy no find) very close to some Adegas. It was a great surprise, it 's a small restaurant and it 's owner is the one that is serving the meals. It has a very typical menú from Alentejo and the food had that great homemade touch. Our food was great from the chorizo, to the cheese, the duck rice, the migas and a typical dessert called Encharcada that the owner suggest to pair with pinneapple to make it less sweet.

The service is definitely bad. The owner is of few lines and seems to be at ease with the world. If they ask if you have an MB (even if you do) it is possible that they will send you to the other side of town looking for an ATM Food: 3 Service: 1 Atmosphere: 2

Boa comida, tipicamente alentejano. As migas são óptimas