Bar Joan

It is not true, if it were I am sure I would know something about it!

People 2 - Alvaro, bar Meia Pipa.

Alvaro.

No matter how casual he dresses Alvaro is one of those men who always looks smart and well groomed. Rarely to be seen without a broad smile on his face Alvaro is the archetypal pub landlord. Having lived and worked in France for a number of years Alvaro speaks fluent French as well as English and of course his native Portuguese.

Whenever I recieve official mail such as tax demands etc. my first port of call is Meia Pipa where Alvaro cheerfully interprets the document for me and usually gives me instructions and directions on how to deal with it.

During quieter periods at Meia Pipa you are guaranteed Alvaro's personal attention as there is nothing he enjoys more than to socialise with his customers. Alvaro is a mine of information and delights in sharing his local knowledge.

Serving draught Guinness and Sagres lager plus a wide range of bottled beers Meia Pipa is the nearest thing in Santa Luzia to an english pub. With live music three times a week and open until the wee hours it is also the nearest thing to a night club.

A wide range of soft drinks, coffee and bar snacks are also always available and the bar is always busy during important football games which are shown here on a giant screen. The bar is also very popular with the local youth on music nights but don't let that put you off, Portuguese youths are generally well behaved, polite, well mannered and respectful of their elders and I have never yet seen one of them drunk.

Having full air conditioning Meia Pipa is also the only establishment in Santa Luzia where you can enjoy a cigarette along with your beer without the need to step outside.

Try cerveja preta (Portuguese stout).

Open daily from 7-00p.m. Closed Sunday

People 1 - Berto, Snack Bar Ana-Raquel.

This is the first in what will be a series of articles on people you are likely to encounter in Santa Luzia. I have done my utmost to ensure any facts reported are accurate but in truth most of what I will have to say is merely my opinion for which I take full responsibility.

"Feliz" Berto

As reported in a previous post, last year Snack Bar Ana-Raquel underwent a transformation at the hands of new owner Berto, former manager of Taberna Bibica.

It is not unusual for Portuguese men to have some kind of nickname to distinguish them from all the other men in the local community with the same christian name and what I have gleaned with my meagre Portuguese is that Berto earned his moniker "Feliz" (happy) because of his constant serious to worried expression.

Despite that sombre appearance you could not wish to meet a more amenable man and in the odd moments when Berto manages to stop dashing around doing for his customers and relaxes, his smile is broad and infectious.

Berto's english is pretty good and improving all the time, much better than my faltering Portuguese which he tolerates with great patience and forbearing.

Ana-Raquel opens early (about 8-00am) and closes late depending really on what time the last customers leave.

An excellent range of snacks is available all day including a range of sandwiches, toasties, salads and delicious home made soup.

Draught Heineken and Sagres beers along with a variety of Portuguese and imported bottled beers are always available and at very reasonable prices.

Tea and coffee and a wide range of soft drinks can be had along with a tempting range of Portuguese cakes and pastries.

Very popular with both locals and tourists alike Ana-Raquel is the perfect place to make new Portuguese friends or just sit and soak up the ambiance of Santa Luzia and watch the world go by.

Closed Thursday.

Try:- Galao (pronounced gallon) and pastel de nata. (a long milky coffee in a glass and a Portuguese custard tart)

or Sagres and rissois de camarao (A bottle of Sagres Portuguese lager and a prawn rissole)

http://www.freewebs.com/ana-raquel