We decided to revisit the Restaurante Popular this year in Peniche, Portugal with the family. The restaurant which last year had a lot of the tables under an awning has been completely renovated. The fish fridge from which you can choose what you would like grilled has moved from beside the main door to the centre of the restaurant. Instead of the awning there is a more permanent structure.
As before, there is an excellent choice of fresh fish from the nearby harbour including sardines, sea bass, sea bream, pargo, cutlassfish and scabbardfish.
Last year I went for swordfish which, while good, did not look as good as the skewers ordered by most of my family. Two sorts of skewer were on offer - the two at the top were mainly squid, while the lower two were mainly monkfish and cherne which the restaurant translated as 'black jewfish'. Doing an internet search suggested that black jewfish is a japanese fish which I find confusing as I am sure everything was from the local catch. On online dicttionary translates it as white grouper; though it seemed like seabass to me. So much for the mysteries of translated menus.
A thing I like about this sort of restaurant is the ability to pick from the fish fridge. Apart from the skewers, the menu is priced per kilo so if say you choose a piece of salmon it is weighed fresh and you are charged according to the weight.
This shows our meal on the way. I loved my grilled fish and veg which was served with an excellent rice and salad. The standard accompaniment is boiled potatoes but most of our party opted - in true British style - for chips! Those who ordered the squid skewer were a little disappointed. It was very chewy but tasty. However, I think to grill squid just the right amount to remain tender is extremely challenging. Most prefered Oregano's deep fried squid which is usually tender.
Our bill including seven starters, seven main courses, two desserts and drinks came to 130€. Excellent value for money in my view!
We should also try some of the other similar restaurants in Peniche harbour if we go there again.
kendersrule
Pro 
*salivating*