Nelitos Algarve

About Nelitos

Nelitos is not your average Italian restaurant. An evening here is an evening of fine dining in elegant surroundings punctuated by excellent service and wonderful food.

Located in a lovely garden villa, near to the Algarve resorts of Vale de Lobo and Quinta do Lago, Nelito´s opened its doors in May 2006. Husband and wife team Manuel and Linda Teixeira had previously owned two restaurants in the U.K. before opening in the Algarve. The restaurant is beautifully decorated. You enter Nelitos by the airy and spacious conservatory. Here a huge suspended cocktail glass serves as a central chandelier. You can choose to dine in the conservatory and enjoy the sense of space and light, or in the central dining room. Here the tables are spacious and set well apart, offering privacy to diners. The deep red of the seating is complemented by the artwork and the welcoming ambience is completed by the invitingly soft sofas in the lounge area. With the comfort of all their guests in mind, Nelitos also has a separate indoor smoking lounge. In the summer you can take full advantage of the fantastic Algarve evenings and dine outside on the garden terrace.

Once seated we were greeted by the Sommelier, who having deciphered what type of wine we would like, brought us a lovely drop of red from the Algarve region. Fresh catch of the day was brought to the table for viewing and also a choice of breads, with flavoured olive oils, crushed olives and ´flor de sal´ - an excellent start to what was to be an excellent meal. The menu provides the diner with a huge choice of pasta, meat and fish dishes. Particularly appetizing are the Funghi Nelitos – mushrooms stuffed with prawns in a garlic and brandy sauce, the large scallops in butter, garlic and wine and the Lobster with Linguini - a house special. Aside from the fresh fish of the day there are fillets of Sea Bass foil baked with fennel, tomato and wine, Chicken breasts stuffed with salmon and asparagus and several veal dishes.

We sampled the Asparagus with Smoked Salmon and Prawn Salad to start, the Rack of Lamb for main course and the house Lasagne. Finishing the meal with apple pie and cinnamon ice cream and a glass of dessert wine was the perfect ending to an excellent meal. The service throughout and the presentation of each dish was impeccable.

Worth particular mention is the Nelitos wine list, or book which is probably the more accurate term, containing over 30 pages, listing over 300 wines including some exclusive vintage ports. The wines are stored in the temperature controlled cellar and the Sommelier's assistance in choosing is invaluable. Nelitos hosts several Gourmet and Wine Tasting evenings during the year where you can enjoy a tasting menu of wonderful food and wine.

To just say Nelitos is an Italian restaurant does not do justice to either the food or the place. Nelitos is a restaurant of quality and elegance that serves wonderful Italian and International food. Dining here is to be savoured and enjoyed.

Nelitos Photos & Map (click to enlarge)