Recent Events

Wednesday 24 July

7.15 pm for 7.45 pm
 

Dinner at O Tasco

near Mexilhoeira Grande

We return to this very popular traditional Portuguese family-run restaurant where we enjoyed a delicious meal last year.
For those who haven’t been before, the restaurant is in a quiet setting in the hills away from the busy town of Portimao and the coastal strip and is perfect for a summer evening meal

Couvert

Bread, toasts, cheese, sausage, olives, butter, sardine pate, home-made
paté, boiled shrimps

Main Course choices

Grilled prawns with rice and salad;
Turkey stroganoff with rice;
Grilled chicken breast with mushroom sauce, fries & vegetables;
Pork medallions with pepper sauce, fries & vegetables;
Grilled fish (bream or sea bass) with potatoes & vegetables;
Vegetarian choices – Vegetable Curry or Vegetable Crêpes

Desserts to choose on the day

Chocolate or mango mousse, crème caramel, sweet of the day, fruit salad, Viennetta ice cream, pineapple

Wine, beer, water, soft drinks and coffee included.

Price is €28 per member, €30 for non-members.

Booking will be open from 1st June to 17th July.

First 30 bookings only due to the limited space on the terrace.

Please specify your main course choice when booking.

- Friday June 21st –

A repeat of last years very successful

Hawaiian Luau

From 6:30 p.m.

at

O Choupana restaurant

near Mexhiloeira Grande.

Our normal 'dress code' for dinners is relaxed!

you are invited to dress up (eg fancy shirt / grass skirt!)

** though this is not compulsory **

We will provide a pre-made lei for everyone

and a prize will be given to the most

entertainingly outfitted man and woman.

(2023 winners shown above)

The event will include tuition in

Hawaiian Luau dancing - and 

demonstration of 'poi ball twirling'.

It should be fun!

Food

will be served from 7 p.m. over several courses

with choices available

To include:

Couvert: Octopus salad, cheese, olives, presunto, bread, butter, pate.

Fish Course: Sardines and/or Breaded fish

Meat Course: Grilled Chicken and/or Leitao (the house speciality)

(A Vegetarian dish may also be requested)

Dessert: Selection of house deserts as available on the day

Both the main courses will be served on platters to share,

these will be re-filled on request.

Beer, wine, water and coffee are included.

We will be seated at three tables with a maximum of ten people at each,

thus a maximum of 30 people in total.

Price is €32 for members, €34 for guests

If you require the vegetarian main course option

please request this when booking.

If you require extra space for a wheelchair (etc.)

please advise us when booking as space

around the tables is rather limited.

Access from the large car park is easy otherwise.

** Within 2 hours of publication of the June newsletter

this event is now fully booked.  **

We are maintaining a 'reserve list' in case of any cancellations

If you should arrive before 6:30 please wait in the bar area

(the room to the right)

while we complete preparations.

The restaurant bar (cash only, no cards) will be open

for anyone wanting any additional drinks.

The meal and included drinks will be served from 7.

- Monday 20th May -

Following the success of the visit to Cabrita Winery

last year we are holding another

Wine Tasting

Quinta da Tôr

A tasting of four wines

accompanied by a charcuterie board.

Includes a tour of the facilities

(This will involve some walking, we are not currently aware

of any stairs etc. which could impact those with mobility issues.)

The family run winery is located outside the village of Tôr,  5 Km north of Loule.

Price for the visit is €29 for members, €31 for guests.

The visit will start at 4:30 and is expected to last about 1 1/2 hours.

The winery is also located only about 5 Km west of the interesting town of Querenca.  If you don't know this region, then this would be a good place to spend a couple of hours while in the general area. There are a couple of restaurants in the town square where a good lunch can be obtained.  There is also a water museum and an old church (if this is locked the key can be obtained from the museum).  For the more energetic souls there are some excellent country walks around.

May 20^th saw CASA members assemble at the Quinta da Tôr winery for a wine-tasting. The facilities were more extensive than we had expected, with a large patio with tables and even a swimming pool, all perched on a north facing hillside with a great view of the village of Tôr opposite us a couple of kilometers away. A delightful location to spend a lazy afternoon with a glass of wine and some nibbles. The weather was absolutely perfect for the occasion as we sat under the shade of an ancient olive tree for our introduction to the winery and its recent history, and of course the wines and grape varieties grown. We then walked a couple of hundred meters to the building where the fermentation is carried out. A huge array of stainless steel vats of several types and capacities was on display, and at the rear of the building stacks of oak barrels where the ‘reserva’ wines are aged for up to seven years. An easy amble back to our shady tables where plates of charcuterie had been set out during our absence and the wines were presented to us by a charming lady (who did introduce herself but I failed to write her name down) who seemed to know every possible detail of every wine: A very pleasant white, a rosé and then two red ‘reservas’, the second of these being especially remarkable. All were somewhat higher in alcohol content than are regularly found in the supermarket! Perhaps this helps explain why so many of us were so slow in leaving afterwards; it was extremely pleasant sitting in the warm sun (now being well after six o’clock) in the shade finishing off odd bits of remaining cheese and sausage.

A great couple of hours in a wonderful location, it would be very surprising if several of our members don’t head back there in the near future, especially perhaps those who left carrying several bottles of wine!

Thursday 2nd May

AGM and dinner

Will be held at the

Portimao Naval Club

The AGM will be in the ground floor meeting room at 18:30.

Registration and Welcome Drink from 18:15.

We ask that you arrive soon after 6 o'clock for Registration from 18:15

when we will start serving a Welcome Drink

in the meeting room on the ground floor.

If you arrive earlier (prior to 6) you may choose to wait in the

Naval Club bar/coffee shop upstairs where you may also

purchase additional refreshments if you so wish.

Dinner will be in the first floor restaurant from 19:30

(two short flights of stairs, no lift)

Last date for booking was 24th April

Dinner Menu

Price:  Members €26, Non-members €28.

Note that only Members may vote should this be

required during the AGM.

On the 2nd May we held our Club AGM, which had been delayed from March. This took place at the Portimao Naval Club.  As  usual at our AGM the meeting included a speech from the Chairman summarising our activities over the last 12 months, naturally concentrating on some of the more enjoyable events - of which there were several.   Next the treasurer’s report which showed the club to be in a financially healthy position for the year ahead, as verified by the auditor. Every year we give the members a chance to suggest a charity worthy of a donation from those funds, this year three charities had been submitted prior to the meeting via e-mail. Following a short discussion and vote the members present elected to give each of the three a donation of €500.  Finally we held a discussion regarding the Committee positions as three of the committee expect to be moving out of the area before the 2025 AGM and will not be able to continue in their roles. Hopefully replacements will be recruited over the next few months.  Business complete we were then free to retire to the O' CAIS restaurant up on the first floor for a very pleasant three course dinner and a well deserved glass of wine, all very much enjoyed.

- 17th April -

Lunch at the excellent

Tribulum Restaurant

in Almancil.

Tribulum takes pride in using homegrown and homemade produce to create exciting dishes and members who have eaten at this lovely restaurant are full of praise for the imagination and quality of the meals.
 

Booking is now closed

12:30 for 13:00

Couvert & homemade bread

Starter

A) - Cream of tomato soup or

B) - Beetroot, goats cheese and orange salad

Main course

C) - Malaysian beef curry with basmati rice or

D) - Wing of skate with capers and lemon or

E) - Mushroom & spinach risotto

Dessert

F) - A slice of cake from the selection,

usually cheesecake, carrot cake and chocolate cake.

(Served from the cake table) or

G) - Fresh fruit salad

Beverages

Still & sparkling water included

 ½ bottle of wine per person or 2 small beers

All other drinks charged on consumption.

Last date for booking was 8th April.

When booking please specify your menu choice for each course,

to simplify this you may just use the letters shown against each.

For our April event C.A.S.A. has, for the second time this year, continued our occasional experiment into  'upping our game' with respect to our selected venues.  This time we visited 'TRIBULUM' located just south of Almancil.  Although our numbers were a little lower than usual (due to a conflict with another popular club holding a lunch on the same day) those who choose to join us were not disappointed and were treated to a very special meal. Tribulum prides itself on it's homemade dishes and this was evident in the flavours presented for us in this lovely restaurant.  The whole ambiance is special, from the large open room with the huge windows and the views thus presented to the comfortable sofa's where those who were a little early were able to wait in comfort with a pre-lunch drink and chatter.  The service was excellent and complemented the delicious food and wine. If the long lingering over coffee is any indication, we'll be returning!

On Valentine's Day

14th February 2024

"Valentines" 

Lunch & Quiz

at Solar Farelo

12:30 for 13:00

The menu:

Couvert

Main Course:

Water & Coffee

Valentines themed Quiz

Price will be €30 for members, €32 for non-members.

Limited to the FIRST 30 bookings ONLY.

On February 14th CASA held its second successful event of the year.
YES, it was a Valentine's lunch at restaurant Solar do Farelo where attendees were treated to a delicious meal served in the Conservatory. To add to the experience the views were spectacular and we were able to decorate the room accordingly.
Everyone had heart shaped chocolates at their place together with their name and menu choices presented in hearts.
To keep our old brains alert there was a themed quiz which had been assembled by our Membership Secretary, Christine. Much laughter and chatter could be heard throughout as attendees were warned about the unpleasant consequences of Googling!!!
First prize went to John and Erika who are not members but joined us because they happened to see the write-up of a previous CASA event in the paper, and thought it might be fun. Second and third prizes went to Daphne and Jan respectively.
Our sincere thanks go to Senor Fernando and his excellent staff for their efficient, friendly and patient service (they even helped us to put up and take down the decorations).
When we originally asked to hold the event at Solar do Farelo we were told that as we had behaved the previous year it would be possible.  The question now is:  what about next time???

Friday 19th January 2024

6.30 p.m. for 7.00 p.m.

Our traditional ‘After Hangover’ dinner

will this year be held at

Olive Bistro and Gastro Bar

Sesmarias, Albufeira

‘Olive’ is a new venue for CASA and is highly recommended both by members who have eaten there and by the various on-line reviews which praise the quality of the food, warm hospitality, and the charming atmosphere created by the young Portuguese owners. The numerous positive comments range from ‘a hidden gem in Albufeira, offering a delightful mix of exceptional food’, and ‘as soon as you step inside, you'll be struck by the cosy and modern decor, which exudes a welcoming ambiance’.

It all sounds wonderful and a great start to our New Year

The menu offered:

All this for only 

€35.00 per person (€37.00 for non-members and guests)

Booking is now closed, last date for bookings was Thursday 11 January.

Please specify your main course when booking, there is no need to book your couvert or desert.

January 19th saw C.A.S.A. visit a venue new to us in Sesmarias (near Albufeira) for our first event of the year - what we refer to as our 'After Hangover Dinner' - to celebrate surviving the Christmas and New Year holidays.  The Olive Bistro and Gastro Bar is a fairly new restaurant and most of the club members had not even heard of it previously. 

On entrance we were amazed at the décor; it is a beautiful welcoming place to meet.  Having 28 people booked for the dinner we had a room to ourselves, the impeccably laid tables were most impressive.  Our first course consisted of a selection of Bruschettas, Garlic mushrooms and Burrata cheese to pick and choose between, followed by the main courses, all gorgeously presented.  And finally our three desserts, again to pick and choose what we wanted.  Not only was the food delicious but the service was quite possibly the best we have experienced anywhere in the Algarve.  The excellent wines flowed freely throughout the meal and the staff had a struggle to get us out at closing time.

We extend sincere thanks to the staff for an outstanding evening.  We suspect that this restaurant will be high on our list for places to visit again - perhaps on a Sunday as we understand that they do a superb Sunday Brunch! 

Friday 8th December

Traditional

Christmas Lunch

with all the trimmings

We return to the excellent

THYME by Ruccola in Alvor

Arrival from 12:30 for lunch at 13:00

Christmas Menu:

Welcome drink: Bucks Fizz or Soft drink

Starters –
   Garlic Mushrooms or
   Prawn Cocktail or
   Vegetable Soup

Main courses –
   Traditional Christmas lunch -

    Roast Turkey or Beef with all the trimmings
           or

    Salmon with sparkling white wine sauce, herbs and

         caviar

           or
   Vegetarian -  Filo basket, with stir-fried vegetables

    and sweet & sour sauce
 

Desserts –
   Traditional Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce

           or

   Cheesecake with red fruit coulis

Coffee with a mince pie

Includes Wine or 2 small beers, water

PRICE
€50.00 per person (€55.00 for non-members and guests)

This is the same as last year!

We will be doing table assignments,

so if you want to sit on the same table as special friends

please tell us when you book and we will do our best.

(Maximum 8 people per table)

The restaurant capacity for the meal is 50 people.

Update 19 October:

We are pleased to say that we have received a preliminary confirmation that Father Christmas expects

to join us again this year after his recent absence.

Booking is now closed.

The final C.A.S.A. event of 2023 was held on Friday the 8th of December. Forty-eight members, including three new members attending their first C.A.S.A. event, met for an excellent Christmas Lunch at the Thyme by Ruccola restaurant (part of the Alto Golf resort in Alvor). This is a lovely location for a Christmas party with plenty of space to socialise during the arrival process, of which we made good use to the background of some traditional Christmas carols prior to joining our tables for the pulling of Christmas Crackers and donning of paper hats amongst much laughter and chatter. It was delightful to meet up again with some friends whom we had not seen for some time. The meal was, as in previous years, excellent and much enjoyed, the traditional Roast Turkey followed by Christmas Pudding was naturally the most popular choice but the 'supporting cast' of Roast Beef, Salmon etc. were also very much appreciated. One member later sent the committee an e-mail in which they stated that the Christmas Pudding was the best they had ever been served in a restaurant!

Happily this year, after being sadly missed the last couple of years, Father Christmas arrived to handle the distribution of two sacks of Christmas presents during the coffee service!

Between courses, our Chair was also able to present the silver cups for our October Treasure Hunt to representatives of the three winning teams, these having since been engraved with the winners names.

Claudia and her staff provided superb, attentive service throughout the lunch. We thank them for making our lunch so successful.

Thursday

16th November

Lunch

We return to the great value ASIA-TOKYO

restaurant in Praia da Rocha for Lunch

As with our previous visits this is an

'all you can eat'

meal served to the table.

The menu will include

- Sushi - Chinese dishes and Ice Cream to finish.

12:30 for lunch starting at 13:00

Price of €22 for members

(€24 for non-members)

includes: wine/beer water and coffee

This is only €2 more than in 2021,

which is a bargain.

Booking is now closed.

Thursday 26th October

Traditional Car Treasure Hunt

(aka Motor Meander)

with Lunch

Meet at the coffee shop

(known locally as Pedro's)

behind the market in Algoz

from 10:00 to 10:30 am for

Registration and Coffee.

First competitors depart 10:45

the last by 11:15.

Approx 40Km drive over 1 1/2 hours

following cryptic clues

The Simple Rules:

• Each car must have a minimum of 2 and maximum of 4 (adult) occupants, at least one must be a CASA member.

• All non-member guests must take part in the same car as the inviting member.

• The three teams solving the most clues along the route will win a prize plus hold one of the silver cups until the next Treasure Hunt

The Treasure Hunt is planned to take each team about 1 1/2 hours,

it is NOT a race or rally.

The lunch destination will be

O Foral restaurant in Foral

(about 5km north-east of Algoz)

Full lunch including a welcome drink (Sangria)

wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee.

The lovely lunch menu offered to us by

O Foral is:

Couvert -

Bread, Butter, Olives, Carrots, Tapas, Chef's Surprise

Starter choice of -

Melon with smoked ham or Vegetable soup

Main course choices -

Sea Bass with potatoes and vegetables in the oven

Vegetable Curry

Roasted loin of pork with plums

Fried beef with pepper sauce and fries

Chicken merengue  "Napoleon"

    (Chicken Stew made with cream, brandy and mushrooms)

Sweet / Desert -

This will be served as a buffet - a range of dishes will be presented on a buffet table for everyone to choose.

Prize-giving will take place during lunch

PRICE  (members & non-members)

Lunch Only -- €25

Treasure Hunt with Lunch  -- €27

Last day for booking = Friday 20th

please specify starter & main choice

for each person

AND a fun name for your 'team'.

Booking is now closed,

We have 10 cars taking part and 33 for the lunch.

Wednesday 20th September

Traditional

'English Afternoon Tea'

to celebrate the end of the summer

(and the tourist season!)

Terrace of the Club House at

Vale De Milho Golf Club

Carvoiero

Your tea (as photo above) will consist of:

Assorted selection of finger sandwiches

Fresh made cakes

Scones with fresh cream and jam

Unlimited tea or coffee

Two glasses of prosecco

Arrival from 2 o'clock,

1st glass of prosecco served when you arrive,

sandwiches & 2nd glass served at your table from half past.

Scones & cakes served when you are ready

(so they can be served fresh).

Price €17 each for members.

Booking will close afternoon of Thursday 14th Sept.

Booking is now closed.

Our second attempt at something completely new for the CASA Autumn season saw 21 members gather at the Vale de Milho Golf Club for our " Traditional English Afternoon Tea". The weather turned out to be perfect for us, the previous extreme heat - and the rain - held off, and we enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon on the terrace with views of part of the golf course.

The sandwiches were excellent - the cucumber sandwiches naturally with the crusts removed – and went down very well with the Prosecco and endless pots of tea. Considerable discussion arose about the correct order to apply jam and cream to a scone, but no consensus was reached. The delicious cakes, presented on lovely bone china tea stands, were likewise eagerly devoured, the vast supply of food being reduced to just a handful of left-over sandwiches. There was much laughter which seems to indicate a successful event and one of our American members was delighted and intrigued by their introduction to this fixture of traditional English fare. It seems likely that we will be repeating this next year!

Many thanks to the very friendly and helpful staff for their hard work and support.

8th September

2 1/2 hour hands-on Art

(painting) session

with respected tutor

Tracy-Jane Pooler

Members price of €17.50 for the session includes:

Tuition with all art materials provided

Whatever you produce is yours to take home

1 coffee/tea/soft-drink from the cafe

Fun!

No matter if you have never held a brush in your life,

or want to 'brush-up' a technique

All levels welcome

5th September -

Booking has now closed

we have 10 budding artists booked.

10:30 to 13:00

Roosters Bar near S.B. Messines.

Roosters serves snacks / 'English pub food'

and will be open for lunch afterwards

(optional, not included in the price)

Max 12 people for the lesson,

no limit for any lunch

As all food is prepared to order -

if you want to lunch we suggest

pre-ordering this when you arrive

as this will reduce your waiting time.

For 'significant others' with nothing much else

to occupy you for a couple of hours:

1. large off-road car park,

2. the cafe/bar will be open,

3. plenty of seating (inside or out),

4. free WiFi,

5. well-stocked charity bookshop

(in aid of the local Bombeiros)

- what's not to like?

On September 8^th a small group of the more artistic CASA members gathered at 'Roosters' restaurant (on the N270 between Messines and Paderne) for an art lesson given by Tracy-Jane Pooler. The subject was a woodland scene executed, believe it or not, in black Quink ink and salt! Our members however proved to be up to the challenge, producing some credible images. Comments from our artists indicate that they enjoyed the session and some look forward to a future session working with another medium. After two and a half hours thirsty work the challenge was passed over to the kitchens when most of the group sat down with Tracy for a well earned lunch.

The event kicked off the CASA autumn schedule of just five events, the first two being new for the club – the second being just a couple of weeks away when we experiment with an 'English Afternoon Tea' (with the addition of prosecco of course) at Vale De Milho Golf Club. This will be followed in October with our traditional Car Treasure Hunt and Lunch – assuming that last years winners return our silver trophies in time!

Friday 7th July

Dinner at

  O' TASCO  restaurant

North of Portimao-Penina

Maximum 30 people - first come etc.

This dinner is now fully booked,

booking is closed.

19:15 for 19:45

MENU
 

Couvert

Bread, toasts, cheese, sausage, olives, butter,
sardine pate, home made paté, boiled shrimps

Main Courses

Grilled prawns with rice and salad;
Turkey strogonoff with rice;
Grilled chicken breast with mushroom sauce,
fries & vegetables;
Pork medallions with pepper sauce,

fries & vegetables;
Grilled fish (bream or sea bass)

with potatoes & vegetables)

Desserts

(to choose on the day)

Chocolate or mango mousse,

Crème caramel,

Sweet of the day,

Fruit salad,

Ice cream,

Pineapple
 

Includes wine, beer, soft drinks, water & coffee.

Price will be  €27 for members and €29 for non-members.

Last day for booking was 29th June,

booking is now closed.

Please specify your main course choice.

_____________________________

Friday July 7^th saw a sell-out group of 33 members and guests arrive at O'Tasco for C.A.S.A.'s last spring 2023 event. We had been warned ahead not to arrive earlier than we had booked as the staff might not be available, however we were very pleased to find everything ready – including the bar being open – on arrival of the committee and a few very keen early-birds. As soon as all 33 had arrived the service promptly started and continued non-stop for almost three hours. The food was excellent, the grilled fish in particular producing gasps of amazement. The range of deserts on offer was vast - making a choice was not easy. The location on the covered patio at the front of the restaurant was a good choice, the recent heat-wave was ameliorated by a gentle breeze making for near perfect conditions for an evening meal. A lot of friendly chatter throughout the meal indicated we had a happy crowd and all those we asked said they had had a very enjoyable meal and a good time. A great choice of venue – but then we have been here before so knew we would be fine. Our great thanks to all the staff at O'Tasco for the excellent service and a most enjoyable evening.

Our program will continue, after the summer break, with TWO  new events in September.

Friday 9th June

Hawaiian-style

Luau / Dinner

A CHOUPANA

EN-125 near Mexilhoeira Grande

ANOTHER new event for CASA!

Our normal 'dress code' for dinners is relaxed!

you are invited to dress up (eg fancy shirt / grass skirt!)

** this is not compulsary **

but we will provide a pre-made lei for everyone

and a prize will be given to the most

entertainingly outfitted man and woman.

The event will include a demonstration of Hawaiian Luau

dancing - including 'poi ball twirling'.

It should be fun!

Food will be served over several courses with choices available,

To include:

Price is €30 for members,  €32 for guests

Last day for booking is Tuesday 6th June

We will be seated at three tables with a maximum of ten people at each,

thus a maximum of 30 people in total.

The cash bar will be open for anyone wanting pre/post dinner drinks.

If you arrive before 6:30 please wait in the bar area

(the area to the right)

for us to complete preparations.

The meal and included drinks will be served from 7.