There are pomegranates in the tree

Not sure where else I expected them to grow but they certainly caught my eye the other day. They are not a native plant of the Algarve, having been introduced from either Iran, Syria or Greece. There are a variety of the views on where they originate from. As across most of the Mediterranean they have been cultivated here for hundreds if not thousands of years and here in the Algarve have even naturalised. Their botanical name is Punica granatum and their Portuguese names Romãzeira, Romã, and Romeira. We’ve seen a couple of pomegranate trees in the past few days; this one was next door to a great little restaurant in Pinheiro – Marisqueira Fialho.  

We had read about Marisqueira Fialho sometime ago but never quite got round to visiting although we had driven past. There are very mixed reviews. The poor reviews I suspect come from tourists for whom decor and sophistication is more important than superb grilled fish and seafood dishes. The fish on display was some of the freshest we have ever seen in a restaurant, in fact our friend who we were with saw a fisherman bringing some fish in bucket just a few moments before we did. This really is a true Portuguese seafood restaurant or as Algarve Golf Holidays say:

The tin-shack restaurant par excellence where locals and ex-pats ‘in-the-know’ go. Don’t expect sophistication – do expect great fish, great ambience and great fun! Unbeatable!

We were so busy enjoying our fish and catching up with wonderful friends that I totally forgot to take any photographs inside, so you will just have to google or even better visit Marisqueira Fialho yourself. It is excellent, although my favourite fish restaurant I must admit remains Vai e Volta in Olhão! Returning to Pinheiro . . . . . I did remember to take photographs on our short stroll after lunch. This is a fabulous spot for birding, much prettier than the salt pans near us and plenty of sea grasses, creeks and mud for the birds to enjoy. I think we will be back!

I’m not sure our short stroll really counts for Jo’s Monday Walks as we couldn’t have walked more than a mile. Albeit our stroll did take us nearly an hour what with the bird watching and flora identification moments, so perhaps Jo might allow it! If not though my title certainly works for Cate’s Six Word Saturday. 

Have a great weekend all. We off shortly to Olhão’s amazing Saturday market to buy our dinner for tonight and also to catch up with Silvia. Perhaps we might even get some pomegranates, they are after all now in season.