The
5-star Le Méridien Penina Hotel is a well-known
landmark in the Western Algarve. Home of Sir Henry
Cotton's first and favourite golf court and host
to the most recent Portuguese Opens, it is a Mecca
for many golfers. If you are in that area and
you want to sample the philosophy of fine food,
go find Amadeus. Take the road virtually opposite
the hotel, marked "Alcalar". Keep going for about
4 km - don't give up! - and you will eventually
see signs that direct you down a farm track type
road: one say's "Villa Cloud Nine" and another
says "Amadeus". Both are owned by Alex, a German
businessman who came to the Algarve several years
ago to retire, and Lena, his Portuguese partner.
Cloud Nine is a large secluded villa with nine
individual suites and a lovely garden. It cannot
be called a hotel because it does not have an
in-house restaurant, but few guests object to
the five minute stroll through the countryside
to Amadeus, an oasis of culture in the middle
of nowhere.
The restaurant overlooks
pretty gardens, complete with a little lake and
a waterfall. Gentle classical music, abundant
fresh flowers and candles all create an elegant
atmosphere. The menu is an eclectic collection
of European cuisine, created from fresh ingredients
and home-grown herbs. You can choose from chicken
in plumb sauce; entrêcote with a honey and mustard
sauce or - a personal favourite - salmon and sole
in a passion fruit sauce. Lots of fresh pasta
and vegetables - but not a chip in sight! Your
eyes will have a feast too, for the presentation
of the dishes is a delight: the chocolate mousse
looks too good to eat - well, almost!
The
5-star Le Méridien Penina Hotel is a well-known
landmark in the Western Algarve. Home of Sir Henry
Cotton's first and favourite golf court and host
to the most recent Portuguese Opens, it is a Mecca
for many golfers. If you are in that area and
you want to sample the philosophy of fine food,
go find Amadeus. Take the road virtually opposite
the hotel, marked "Alcalar". Keep going for about
4 km - don't give up! - and you will eventually
see signs that direct you down a farm track type
road: one say's "Villa Cloud Nine" and another
says "Amadeus". Both are owned by Alex, a German
businessman who came to the Algarve several years
ago to retire, and Lena, his Portuguese partner.
Cloud Nine is a large secluded villa with nine
individual suites and a lovely garden. It cannot
be called a hotel because it does not have an
in-house restaurant, but few guests object to
the five minute stroll through the countryside
to Amadeus, an oasis of culture in the middle
of nowhere. 
