Pezinhos N´ Areia-Algarve | Exquisite Cuisine on a Superb Beach.



Pezinhos N´areia is a great restaurant in the Algarve, that magic and sunny region of Southern Portugal which eternally bewitches every visitor for its stunning Atlantic coastline offering you the great chance to enjoy an exquisite cuisine on a superb beach with a stop at Castro Marim, one of the first towns of that wonderful Portuguese Eden you will immediately meet on the coastal road coming from Spain along the enchanting Costa de La Luz.

That centre in the district of Faro is well known to be one of the oldest Freguesias of the entire Region, an old former fishing village which thanks to its relevant fisheries activities acquired autonomy elevating itself as one of the most important centres for the catch of cod, sardines and seafood of supreme level.

Obviously those delectable sea products always fresh and extremely appreciated reached since a long time ago the best local markets and naturally played an important role in the great local gastronomy of that territory delighting the palates of a myriad of people.

That municipality of approximately 6,600 inhabitants was settled by Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans, well known with the latter when it was called  Aesuris before to become an important Moorish domain since the early the 8th century and reconquered in 1242 by the National Hero Paio Peres Correia sent there by King Alfonso III.
  
According to historic documentations a consolidated centre in the Middle Ages was founded by Templar Knights serving an Order called Ordem de Nosso Senhor Jesus Cristo founded on 14th March 1319 during the times of Pope John XXIII.

They occupied and finished a medieval fortress initiated in 1230 over the foundations of a defencive structure probably elevated in the 7th century BC and that landmark is still visible nowadays in proximity of the mouth of the river Guadiana.
 
Apart those relevant historic events which have undoubtedly an immense value, that centre is also famous for its spectacular beaches and one of them is certainly Praia Verde which translation means Green Beach.

It is a wonderful stretch of golden sand situated between another splendid sandy marvel called  Praia do Cabeço which immediately lies after Monte Gordo and the stunning Praia da Alagoa located towards Tavira. (In the case you are interested I wrote a post about that great site)  

Praia Verde is a heaven immediately loved by all the sea lovers for its virgin aspect, a hidden treasure of Southern Portugal easily accessible, constantly boasting a Blue Flag, which shows along its entire longitude an intact image because it never had a great development as the others mainly present on the western coastline.

It has not very high cliffs as the magnificent Praia da Rocha, Praia da Falesia or the others situated in the surroundings of Portimao but it is equally wonderful for traditional spectacular dunes conquering everyone for their picturesque silhouette.

They were never removed or modified, all it is true and genuine they are there since many centuries ago, nothing is artificial, natural wonders absolutely fascinating and there to please your view.

Along that fabulous wonder lining emerald waters of the Atlantic Ocean flanked by a scenic local vegetation consisting in large pine forests, other splendid natural highlights of that marvellous territory is situated Pezinhos N´Areia, a restaurant which offers the best if you are looking for the most genuine and delicious cuisine loyal to the most traditional culinary art of Portugal.

That establishment is since many years ago a sort of emblem when it became a very distinguished destination to enjoy a great lunch or dinner and furthermore its position on the soil of that sort of dreamland increased its appeal calling a multitude of people who could  appreciate that divine environment and the great flavours of a wide range of exquisite plates offered by that restaurant.

 Since its inception when it opened its doors in 1983 many locals and tourists have tried and enjoyed the more than delectable cuisine in that building with a captivating silhouette consisting in a long rectangular wooden structure with an ample outdoor terrace facing that stunning beach offering the chance to admire the marvellous endless horizon of the Ocean which is a further stupendous detail to add to other local attractions you can admire all around that splendid Algarvean area.

The interior is well studied to recieve the customers in a great way with a warm welcome in a space which permits to all people who are sitting inside to have a spectacular panoramic view towards the Ocean thanks to the presence of large French doors which cover all the side behind the terrace and transmiiting exterior light to entire indoor setting.

Refined chandeliers emitting a perfect intensity of lights and a right luminosity in the interior perfectly placed to delight the clients in a layout greatly arranged with rectangular and circular tables, comfortable chairs both in white colour well selected as part of a very pleasant environment perfectly in harmony with the tonality of a dark brown floor.
 
The staff is very professional and attentive suggesting the best fish or seafood of the day always ready to satisfy every need offering more than valid alternatives loyal to the finest manners and etiquette related to the most distinguished Catering & Hospitality service. 
  
Restaurante Pezinho N´Areia is highly suggested and recommended to all people who want to have a large choice of different kinds of superb plates thanks to rich and varied menu. A considerable feature is certainly the quality of the fish every day fresh directly coming in a very short time from the sea to the kitchen of the establishment, immediately prepared and that is something extremely loved by everybody.

One of the most delectable speciality and highlight of the exquisite cuisine of the Algarve the Restaurant offers is the iconic Cataplana, that tastefully seafood stew which took its name since the Middle Ages during Moorish rule by a special cookware made by copper in which was prepared the food. 

That emblematic and historic plate prepared in a sublime way by talented local Chefs of that site is the divine combination of the most exquisite seafood caught daily combined to tomatoes, onions and peppers. 

All that is seasoned with aromatic herbs and a special mention deserves a superb fresh parsley presents in high quantity adding during the process of preparation a good touch of fine wine to complete a divine culinary masterpiece. A variant is that one with fish or making a combination with both sea products also including boiled potatoes. 

Another special suggested emblematic speciality you have try consists in the delicious Sardinhas Assadas, grilled sardines which are another gastronomic Portuguese pride just like the distinctive Bacalhau Dourado, cod prepared in a local style boasting a magnificent reputation. 

Next to them very recommended as great alternative is the local Patañiscas which is a superb dish consisting in prawns with rice and coriander. 

Tuna and anchovies are others products simply excellent in the restaurant due to a secular tradition which elevated them as emblems since the times of the Marquess of Pombal when in the 18th century the Algarve after the development of a notable fishing fleet organised by that notorious Statesman became an admired and regarded site all around Europe for that kind of catch of outstanding quality.

You can choose as alternative option the supreme Lagosta, lobster considered for its unique taste among the best of the entire Continent and in addition as further notable election is the Robalo Grelhado consisting in a great grilled sea bass. The typical Lulas Fritas fried calamari served with mixed salad but also clams, crab and cshrimp are other more tnan excellent delights of Pezinhos N´Areia.

The restaurant offers to accompany all that a wide list of fine red, white and rosé wines ready to respond to all the most demanding requests satisfying exigent palates and varied tastes with an ample selection of superb products.
 
The reds are very smooth, rich in texture, body, very palatable, extremely refined, and elegant  are the whites absolutely perfect to accompany an unforgettable meal. Some highly suggested are Aneto, Quinta do Carmo, Marques de Borba, Barranco Longo, Alfaraz and Topázio among others.

Including you will have the chance to taste the famed and supreme Vinho Verde, the great Portuguese green wine presents with some of its most refined and classy denominations such as Torre de Menagem, Momento Ousado and Soualheiro.  

Apart that magnificent National range in addition the restaurant boasts other prestigious foreign fine wines present in a large and complete list. 

Pezinhos N´Areia is always a good idea to insert in your agenda if you are planning to visit the Algarve. It will be a great option to have a reference like that during your itineraries enjoying a lunch or dinner in a magnificent place and you will be totally pleased for the excellent food quality, service and the presence of that stupendous image named Praia Verde.

In the nearest surroundings you can also visit relevant historic monuments apart the previously mentioned fortress as the Forte de Sao Sebastiao de Castro Marim, a fort erected in 1641 by King João IV of Portugal is situated just 5, 0 kilometres away.

The famed Casino de Monte Gordo and the attractive town of  Vila Real de Santo António situated at only 2, 0 kilometres of distance, a place very recommended for its numerous historic and natural attractions on the shore of the Atlantic and the river Guadiana. (In the case you are interested I wrote a post about that latter place)

That place is situated at 60,0 kilometres from Faro (I wrote a post about that city) which with its International Airport can be an idea to visit also the Eastern coast of the Algarve which despite it is different than the western side is equally enchanting.  

Tourism and Gastronomy have always run together and they started a long ago time to have common purposes and goals. It is always great after a visit, an excursion to sit in a place delighted by a delicious meal and a fantastic environment and it is so fascinating to find places as Pezinhos N´Areia which offers all that in a marvellous Eden as the Algarve,  a unique chance to taste an exquisite cuisine on a superb beach.

Francesco Mari

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