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. 
