Grapes (and Bites)

Marginal improvements mean I make it down to breakfast today even though I eat relatively little. It’s a pretty miserable day by Madeiran standards, and we’re aware that the weather is much better at home - but I’m more than happy to just spend the day in our room. G does a 3 mile walk into town and back again, having to shelter from heavy showers on his way. 

By the evening, I feel like making the effort to go out - even if it is only across the road to a restaurant we discovered on our last visit. ‘Grapes and Bites’ does not suggest a gourmet eating place - though it ‘does what it says on the can’ in terms of offering wine and food.  Neither does its frontage offer up the promise of a great evening - heavy black text on a white plastic background suggesting more of a cafeteria than a restaurant. Appearances can be deceptive however, and it offers elegant interiors and efficient service, food ranging from cheese plates and tapas to full three course delights, and an excellent Portuguese wine cellar. 

I opt for an asparagus risotto, and although I only manage about a third of it, it’s delicious - this coming from the fussiest risotto eater ever. G, on the other hand, enjoys his large medium rare steak and accompaniments. 

We have a glass of wine each - and here it really makes sense to ask the well-informed staff what they recommend which they allow you to try before you settle on a glass. Grapes, terroir and taste are explained in detail. I have a white from the Lisbon area - an Albariño-Chardonnay blend which is delicious - but I leave about a third of the glass - a clear indication of my being below par! 

Even if I leave before G’s finished, it’s definitely an improvement upon yesterday! 

So today’s blip is part of the wine selection offered - not my usual travel blip, but it’s the only shot I took today - one shot carved up into this collage that is!