Beware da Brasa Restaurant Albergaria a Velha

Walton · Sep 28, 2017

This restaurant is located 200 metres from Alburgue de Perigrinos, Albergaria-a-Velha
We were charged 24 euros for a 12 euro menu del dia meal. Feeling very ripped off.
Lesson learned is always get a receipt. No receipt was offered so have no proof.
The Alburgue is quite annoyed so karma will come to pass when they warn people to avoid this particular restaurant.
All over, there are people that will exploit others but on the overwhelmingly positive side is the Portuguese people who have stopped their car to give us bottles of water, fruit and who have waved and tooted their car horns.
They really do welcome Pilgrims.
If you are walking the Portuguese Camino, and are near Albergaria a Velha, give this restaurant a wide miss.
The Alburgue is lovely though.
Buen Camino

C clearly · Sep 28, 2017

Did you ask at the time when you paid the bill for 24 Euros?

Sounds like you paid for two 12 Euro meals. If you were both planning to eat one meal, it would be best to check in advance that it would be acceptable.

Pelegrin · Sep 28, 2017

I remember another thread on this forum where two people had more or less the same problem in Portugal. Maybe it is not acceptable eating two people only one menú del dia.

SYates · Sep 28, 2017

Also remember, tapas-like food brought to your table isn't included/free in Portugal, if you don't want it, just wave it away with a smile and nobody will be offended. Buen Camino, SY

peregrina2000 · Sep 28, 2017

I guess we don't know for sure if the problem the OP reports was that two people wanted to share one meal, but that's what it was, it could be a problem anywhere it seems to me. I have been to places in Portugal where the portions were so big that my husband and I shared a dish without any problem, but it wasn't a menú del día. I have never had a problem with a restaurant in Portugal trying to "rip me off," but cab drivers is a different story.

Christian Hiriart · Sep 28, 2017

This could be a simple misunderstanding, which as we all know, is easy for it to happen when we are not speaking the same language (or even when we do). Not sure there is a need to boycott this place for that reason. Now, if the wine poor, them forget the place.

Chris

Anniesantiago · Sep 28, 2017

There are often "hidden" charges in Portugal compared to Spain.
Bread and butter, though delivered to your table with your meal, is not free.
Coffee, another charge.
Wine, another.
You must be very clear about ASKING, if you are on a tight budget.
In general, I find the Portuguese to be honest, kind people.
But then I'm Portuguese

HeidiL · Sep 29, 2017

After walking in Spain, where (free) tapas are common, I was surprised when I discovered how much it could cost to touch all the extras brought to your table in Portugal. Particularly the little cheeses tend to cost a lot!

(I have seen the same dish of mushrooms being carried, uncovered, from table to table the whole evening, which put this germ-conscious public health worker off eating anything like that.)

But the waiters are not offended when I just smile and ask them to remove these extra dishes.

John Sikora · Sep 29, 2017

I do seem to remember that many of the restaurants along the Camino do not allow you (or at least do not want you to) share one meal. Often, it was in Spanish fine print on the menu. I can understand it since I was always amazed at the food that you get for 12 euros. It's not gourmet fare, but it's as good as you normally eat anywhere else. Maybe it was just after walking 15 or 20 miles, I'd probably eat the table cloth if provided with enough sauce.

PEI_Heather · Oct 1, 2017

Perhaps using the term 'be aware' instead of 'beware'...the entire context is changed. People will continue to visit the restaurant, especially if the food is good, and will know to wave off all the extras (or take them) and to ask for (or insist) a reciept when paying.
I found the Portuguese people to be warm, generous and welcoming. Never had any issues with bad service or feeling ripped off.
Perhaps a return to the Camino Portuguese for another walk? Wait a few months and I'll go with you!

Walton · Oct 25, 2017

C clearly said:
Did you ask at the time when you paid the bill for 24 Euros?

Sounds like you paid for two 12 Euro meals. If you were both planning to eat one meal, it would be best to check in advance that it would be acceptable.

We shared one meal. In hindsight, we should have ordered two meals. No, these were not menu del Dias. It was an a la carte menu item.

Next time, I will ask the restaurant to call the police so I can make a complaint before opening my purse. Lesson learned.

In all of Portugal this was the only time we were taken advantage of - Spain? Well that is another new topic.