On The Waterfront

We’re so used to puffery in restaurant names, that we were pleasantly surprised to find that this really is a fisherman’s wharf: a romantic little place on the River Sal, where the fishing boats are lined up, with its own jetty going down to the water. The tables are laid out on a wooden deck under the stars, and as you finish dinner you can see the boats going out to bring the morning’s catch. At lunchtime the place is transformed, with the sun-dappled river and green hills opposite coming into view. We had a couple of the bartender’s signature Screwdrivers while we pondered the menu. The specialities of the house include crab masala fry and lobster curry. But we decided to start with crispy fried squid with hot garlic sauce, and followed it with a sampler of their excellent prawns: dynamite-flavoured prawns peri-peri; prawns cafreal, cooked in green chilli, garlic and ginger; and a simple, classic Goa prawn curry with rice. We finished, somewhat predictably, with slices of bebinca and cream caramel. The great seafood and romantic setting combined to make it a truly memorable meal.