Dining In The Azores

We've only been here a day but have had the opportunity to eat twice at the hotel and twice out and about.  The vacation package we purchased to come to the Azores included our hotel for seven nights and breakfast each morning.  In the past this hotel breakfast has ranged from "do you really call that breakfast" to pretty nice.  I'd have to say the breakfast at our hotel is definitely in the pretty nice category if nothing else but for the view alone.  This is a picture of the hotel dining room and buffet.  It's so nice to sit and enjoy breakfast and take in the beautiful view.

Last night because we were so tired from the travel to get here we chose to eat in the dining room.  For being such a nice hotel we thought the price would be pretty steep.  It turns out it wasn't, just 17 € or 23 € with alcohol, beer and wine.  We chose the $17 option.  It was a full buffet with lots of choices including fish heads which we DIDN'T choose - gross! Great food for a great price!

Midway through dinner a large tour came through.  It was made up of older Americans for the most part.  They were so loud!  I've had people say how loud Americans are but I'd never seen it first hand till now.

On Thursday we ventured out to see the city.  There were tons of places to eat.  We chose this little cafe, Bistro do Beto.  You could eat inside or out.  We were amazed again how inexpensive it was.  

The view from the outside was so nice we couldn't pass it up. 

Great lunch for only 5.5€

No drinking out the can here.  Now if you could only get ice.

Tonight we again ventured out this time to a tiny little restaurant called Marcelino's.  It was a tiny place upstairs with a pub down below.  The chef Marcelino himself has been working for the last 36 years.  His wife works in the kitchen.  The unique part about this restaurant is Marcelino cooks your food right at your table.  It was delicious!  Matt had pepper steak (it came with potatoes and vegetables also), I had pepper chicken.  As an American, who is used to getting food quickly, I had to keep reminding myself that eating out in countries out of the US is an experience.  You go out for the night, not just an hour or so.  Marcelino promptly took our order then cooked the couple's food who ordered before us, then our and so on down the list.  You just patiently wait till it's your turn.  The wait was definitely worth it!

I'm grateful the hotel has two pools and a health club.  I'm definitely going to need to make use of these!