Food lovers don’t have to wait much longer for the return of the Algarve’s hugely popular ‘Rota do Petisco (Tapas Route).
For the first time the event is starting before the high season – on May 1 (Sunday) – and has expanded to include Lagos and Aljezur, which will be putting up 58 restaurants and coffee shops selling special dishes until May 28.
The eateries are divided into four areas – Marina/Meia Praia, Central Lagos, the rural village of Barão de São João, and the castle town of Aljezur.
There’s also a ‘Commerce Route’ that will feature four Lagos stores.
The event will then move on to Monchique, Silves and Lagoa in June and ‘end’ in its birthplace of Portimão, in September.
Though the format is new, the concept remains the same.
People buy a ‘passport’ – which is a guide to all the venues and their menus – and for €3 they can sample a variety of typical dishes, accompanied by a drink.
Local sweets and desserts can also be tasted for €2, while €1 of the passport’s price will go to help local charities and institutions.
The event has become one of the Algarve’s most popular gastronomic fixtures, having sold more than 242,000 menus last year and generated around €700,000 for the restaurants and businesses involved.
The success of the ‘Rota’ has been so strong that organiser Teia d’Impulsos says it has actually helped revive the Portuguese tradition of the ‘petisco’ – impromptu snacks with family and friends.
For a full list of eateries involved see http://rotadopetisco.com/
