For interest, this page contains events which we have held over the last year. It contains the description provided prior to the event and, as appropriate, some comments and photographs added afterwards.
More recent events include a 'slideshow' of photographs. The way these appear will depend on the device you are using :
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You may see below the first picture a row of thumbnails and a play button or a black bar. If a black bar appears then to access the controls for the slideshow 'hover' over the black bar below the visible photo, click the play button (extreme right) to start, click again in the same place to stop/pause the slideshow. If you just see one picture (without black bars or thumbnails) then click on the picture to start your browser slideshow software.
Tuesday 16th May
Casa da Vinha
Vale Fuzeiros, S.B. Messines
Lunch with a quiz
Arrival from 12:30, Quiz will start at 13:00
The quiz will be set by one of our members and will be in four rounds. You do not need to be a brain surgeon or nuclear physics expert - although the questions are in four themed sections all will be 'General Knowledge' level.
Casa da Vinha is a family-run traditional Portuguese restaurant serving good quality Portuguese-style food and is tucked away in the small village of Vale Fuzeiros, a few kilometres west of S.B. Messines. From the restaurant conservatory, where we will be sitting, there are lovely views south towards the hills.
The tables will be set up for four people so we’ll be in teams of four for the quiz. You can book for your own team of four or we can put people together to make up a team. Just let us know when you make your booking if you would like to sit with specific people.
Combined price only €22.00 per person (€24.00 for guests and non-members)
Lunch Menu:
It seems only a few days since CASA members met up at the Cabrita Winery for a wonderful wine tasting, (see item below) yet here we are celebrating another successful event. This month we have experimented with a lunch served around a four stage quiz. We have held small quiz's previously, for example to fill in a bit of spare time in a program, but we have never held a quiz as the heart of the event. Considering this was a new experience for our organisers it all went very well with the excellent food being served just at the right time. CASA had not visited Casa da Vinha (tucked away in Vale Fuzeiros) previously but our faith in this family run Portuguese restaurant was well placed and they did us proud. The couvert was more extensive than we had anticipated and all the main courses were substantial and tasty. The friendly service at this restaurant makes it a joy to visit. The select group of CASA intelligentsia were easily split into teams of four people to tackle the quiz - which had been set for us by another member who was unfortunately unable to attend herself. The scores were remarkably close - after 40 questions there was only a difference of 3 1/2 points from highest to lowest team score. The General Knowledge round surprisingly got the lowest scores, the teams doing somewhat better on the themed rounds. None of us knew that Faro Airport has a new name (Gago Continho apparently) as of June last year, this was the only question of the 40 which did not get a single correct answer! A good time was had by all, we will be holding another quiz lunch sometime, and we anticipate returning to Casa da Vinha. |
Friday 21st April
Winery Tour with Tasting,
Cheeses and Charcuterie.
Silves area
Wine tasting at Cabrita Wines
near Silves
Join us for a CASA wine tasting on Friday, 21 April at Cabrita Wines near to Silves.
This will be an afternoon visit, commencing at 4.30 pm and will last about 1½ hours.
The visit will include a guided tour of the vineyards, cellar and barrel cellar, followed by a commented wine tasting of three wines from the Classic Cabrita Wines range accompanied by a light refreshment of delicious cheeses and charcuterie from local producers.
You don’t want to miss this new event! Here’s what ‘Vogue’ magazine had to say about Cabrita Wines: "The winery, which was founded in 2007 and produces whites, reds, and rosés, offers tastings in a second-floor space that’s replete with polished wood and beautiful vineyard views."
As this event does not include a meal we will provide a few suggestions for local restaurants which you might like to try for dinner afterwards, or a lazy lunch before.
PRICE: €25 for members, €27 for non-members.
AGM and Dinner
Friday 17th March
at
Recanto dos Mouros,
Silves
Booking is now closed
In a quiet corner behind the Castle in Silves,
stands this restaurant, which has
become a reference in the national
gastronomic scene. The privileged location,
overlooking the castle walls, and the rustic
and welcoming space, give a special charm
to the delicious food.
(The road works which caused access difficulties
in 2022 are no longer a problem)
The AGM will take place prior to dinner and will
include elections to the committee.
All members are encouraged to attend the AGM
which is your annual chance to have a voice.
Schedule and Dinner Menu
Booking is now closed, we have 35 booked.
On the 17th March 33 members of CASA gathered at Recanto dos Mouros in
Silves for the club's Annual General Meeting and a dinner. A report from our Chairperson regarding the last year's activities, and some challenges we have faced, was followed by a brief
financial report from the Treasurer and Honorary Auditor. During the 2022 AGM, new committee members were selected due to several existing members standing down for personal reasons. This
year all but one of the committee indicated they would continue in position. We are pleased to
say that we did elect a new Membership Secretary, though we continue to be
in need of an additional person on the committee to assist with some
of the booking procedures as well as helping to choose venues for the
activities.
The outline of a coach trip for late October was presented, which would include for the first time visiting four cities in both Portugal and Spain, in the central Iberia region. Further details will be issued in our next club Newsletter - and on our website. We hope there will be sufficient interest for this trip to go ahead.
With the official part of the evening completed we were able to relax and enjoy an excellent meal served by the restaurant staff. This being our fourth time at Recanto dos Mouros, the food was delicious, and much enjoyed.
As a final note from this meeting, some members have felt that our full name 'Carvoeiro Association for Social Activities' has, over four and a half decades, become somewhat inaccurate, as we now cover the whole of the Western Algarve. In light of this, we asked members earlier to suggest new names retaining the short acronym 'CASA'. A vote was taken, and a new name was selected from a shortlist of nine which had been suggested:- 'Club for Algarvian Social Activities' is our new name!
[Some photographs follow]
2023
Pre-Valentines Lunch
Friday 10th February
at
Solar do Farelo
12:30 arrival for lunch at 13:00
Your menu:
Couvert
Price for members - €29, non-members €31
Limited to the first 34 bookings only
due to space limitations.
Saturday January 21st
CASA Traditional
"After Hangover"
Dinner
Big Red's Steakhouse
in Alvor.
Following your weeks of
celebrating Christmas and the New Year
with too much to eat and drink
-
Join us for some
"Hair of the dog ...."
The Alvor beach is just a short walk away
if you need some fresh air before/after your meal.
Menu
Couvert
.....
Vegetable Soup
Or
Goats Cheese in a filo basket with red onion marmalade
......
BBQ Spare Ribs
Or
Chicken Kiev
Or
Seafood Bake (white fish, salmon & prawns)
.....
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Or
Apple Crumble with custard
Wine and Water included.
Pre/Post dinner drinks can be purchased at the bar.
Members price - €28
Arrival time 18:30 for service starting at 19:00.
As is our long standing tradition CASA started 2023 with our annual 'After Hangover Dinner', the purpose of which is to celebrate survival of a Christmas holiday season consisting of more
eating and drinking than is good for us! It does tend to incorporate the old adage of taking 'A hair of the dog that bit you' as a cure. Big Red's Steak House in Alvor did us proud
in this respect - not only was the food superb but the portions were huge, a number of participants leaving with doggy bags containing left over ribs or chicken!
As with most restaurants post-pandemic Big Red's was slightly short staffed, but those working made up for their lower numbers by working flat-out for three non-stop hours. Our sincere thanks
to them all for their efforts to make the evening such a success. Our 43 members occupied the larger room while other customers filled the smaller.
Over our next few events we will be working towards attracting more members; Brexit has unfortunately driven a significant number of UK members back to their roots, some other nationalities have not yet returned to Portugal since they retreated 'home' during the pandemic, we hope to see some of these returning this year. Meantime we have some space for new members to join us for more events centred around just being 'social' in convivial locations.
Friday December 2nd
Thyme by Ruccola
near Alvor
Christmas Lunch
The Christmas meal here last year was just so superb
that we felt that we had to return!
The members price* of €50 includes -
* Welcome drink: Bucks Fizz or Soft drink
* Garlic Mushrooms or Prawn Cocktail or Vegetable Soup
* Traditional Christmas lunch -
Turkey or Beef with all the trimmings or
* Seabass fillet with citrus butter & chives
* Vegetarian -
Filo basket, with stir-fried vegetables & sweet & sour sauce
* Traditional Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce or
Almond tart with cream
* Wine or 2 small beers, Water & Coffee with a mince pie!
Father Christmas is unfortunately unable to join us,
however his elves will be dropping off some presents......
*Non-members price is €55.
Thursday 10th November
Dinner at
Cantino do Almareado
in Guia
at 7 for 7:30
MENU
Couvert
Starters:
Ham and Cheese Board OR
Vegetable Soup
Main courses:
Filet of Sole
Veal Stroganoff
Vegetable curry
Desserts
Fruit salad OR
Chocolate
Mousse
Includes: Coffee, Water, Wine
Members price |
€26 per person |
This was the first time CASA has visited Cantino do Almareado in Guia, by the end of the evening the consensus of opinion was that it should not be the last! Once we got ourselves sorted out with friends seated together and the staff were able to move freely around the room again the service was great and non-stop. The starter for most of us consisted of a board laden with bread, cheeses, cold meats and other nibbles, enough to satisfy anyone. Followed by very tasty main courses and finally the sweet – most of us choosing the chocolate mouse and finding it one of the most tasty in memory. The wine flowed steadily and the conversation and laughter intensified as members caught up with each other's backlog of news. It's two and a half years since we have been able to meet so freely and relaxed over an evening meal. It was great to be able to welcome some new members and guests in such a hospitable atmosphere.
Wednesday 19th October
Car Treasure Hunt
Motor Meander
followed by lunch.
The Treasure Hunt will start with coffee at
Bar Bacchus
at Porches Pottery
on the eastbound side of the EN125 near Porches.
Registration and Coffee starting from 10:15, first competitors depart 10:45.
The Simple Rules:
The Treasure Hunt is planned to take about 1 1/2 hours, it is NOT a race or rally.
The lunch destination will be
Flor do Campo
between Porches and Alcantarilha, this family-run restaurant is located on the eastbound side of the EN125 and has ample onsite parking.
On arrival one welcome drink per person will be served on the terrace, any additional drinks taken while waiting for lunch are not included in the price.
Lunch is expected to be served at 13:00 and the Treasure Hunt prizegiving will take place between courses during the lunch.
Menu:
Couvert
Mains:
Deserts:
Water, Rose wine, House white wine, Coffee
Price is €22 per person for lunch only
or €24 if taking part in the Treasure Hunt.
Plus €2 extra p.p. for non-members.
When you book in addition to your lunch menu choices please give us a fun name for your team, these team names and scores will be published here and in the November club newsletter.
Booking is now closed.
We have seven cars taking part in the Treasure Hunt and 26 people for lunch.
The scores of all the teams in place order are:
Friday 20th May
Lunch at
Asia-Tokyo
Pria da Rocha
Portimao
Non-stop buffet served at the table over multiple courses including sushi and other asian dishes. Not forgetting the Prawn Crackers and the ice-cream to follow!
If you want more of any dish just ask the waitress!
Members price is only €20 p.p. including the lunch, wine/beer/soft drinks and coffee.
This is the same as 2021 which is amazing value in the current economic environment.
Note that the problem some members experienced last year with local parking is not schedulled to start until June.
Friday April 8th
lunch at
Restinga Ria Restaurant in Alvor
1p.m. for 1:30
A breathtaking view over the Alvor harbour all
the way to Lagos, so come along and join us for
a superb lunch!
COUVERT
Bread, paté, butter, olives.
STARTER
Vegetable soup
MAIN COURSE
Fried shrimps with rice or
Duck Rice or
Grilled Chicken breast with Chips & Salad or with
Sautéed Vegetables & Rice
Vegetarian Option: Green Ratatouille with nuts
DESERTS
Egg pudding - Chocolate Mousse - Apple Pie & Ice Cream
Wine (Red & White), Sangria, Beer, Water, Coffee
Price €27 per person - Last booking date April 4
==============
We only had 17 members attend the lunch at Restinga Ria, most unfortunate for those who decided not to join us as is turned out to be an excellent lunch! The welcome drink (a refreshing Bucks Fizz with fruit) was very well received and the supply lasted through much of the meal. Those who choose the Shrimps received a 'dish to die for' and the Duck Rice was similarly delicious. The location itself was also perfect, the large windows providing a great view while protecting us from the rather chilly breeze off the sea. The friendly service and flowing wine made for an exceedingly pleasant afternoon. The last stalwarts remaining for a friendly chat until they had to be chased out. Our thanks go to Zelia and her staff for a lovely lunch.