Author: Tony Pauley

Esquina da Rochinha

https://g.co/kgs/p2LeYyk

We are learning. Not all businesses in Funchal have signs. Case in point, this place. No way to know other than to look in the window. The definition of no frills. For those curious, “Esquina” means corner. This place is at the bottom corner of a street named Rochinha, which also happens to be the name of the area we live in. It is the street up to Rochinha.

This is a local restaurant/bar. We stopped in for a poncha, of course. It was late one night on our way to hike up the hill back to our place. No English, good sign. We are brushing up on our ordering skills. The guy behind the bar is a maestro. Excellent poncha. They always make a little more than they need, he got a kick of me going back and asking for “el resto”.

We live up a very steep hill. I have a feeling this might become our regular stop to power up for our constitutional.

Didn’t try the food but it looks very good. Will update again once we have.

We are loving the Madeirans. So welcoming. Lots of love.

Restaurante Novidade

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hj6CgkduU3isytqC9

If you are looking for a very traditional dive bar/sandwich shop, look no further. No one in the joint speaks a bit of English, the poncha is excellent, and the sandwiches are heavenly.

I had a tuna sandwich as a dentinho (finger food that comes with your drink). I honestly thought it was roast pork for the first 2 or 3 bites. Simply delicious.

The lady behind the bar is Kim’s “poncha queen” and boy does she make them strong. No fancy poncha stick for her, no everything goes in a honey jar that she shakes until perfect. Not the way it is supposed to be done, but nothing fancy here. Honestly, might be my favourite poncha.

Kimberly’s Edit: It’s definitely a local’s spot and apparently the place where a lot of the market vendors go, as it is right across the street. I appreciate her no-nonsense approach.

Egídio & Monteiro, Lda

https://maps.app.goo.gl/uDmC99BWRyh8LcLZ7

This is our closest coffee shop / bakery. One minute walk from the house. Very good, very strong, very cheap coffee. I ordered 2 bicas (espresso), 1 chinesa (latte), and 2 pasteis de nata. Grand total €5. The coffee alone costs me £9.30 in the UK. The prices are 1/3 that of the UK.

I know where I will be every morning.

They have a good selection of bread and baked goods. Also seem to have a full bar behind the counter. Sign says open every day…

Restaurante Trigal

https://maps.app.goo.gl/jJ3rD6aPFbVBbeVx8

Trigal is located right next to a property we were looking at. Right in the heart of Funchal. I have the Carne Vinha d’Alhos (pork marinated and cooked in wine and garlic). It was excellent.

The restaurant is a good mid-tier choice. Nothing fancy. House wine is maybe €8 a bottle and is good. Waiters were amazingly friendly. One even offered to help me coordinate buying the house.

Solid food, good prices, friendly staff. We’ll be back.

360º Bar at the Vine Hotel

https://maps.app.goo.gl/iEukyYFP9sEYQrGM7

We stopped by this bar on a house hunting trip. We were there late afternoon on a grey day so no one was there. The view is amazing, a little bit back form the coast but still very nice. Our bartender was super helpful and gave us some restaurant recommendations for local food.

We had the usual ponchas. They were at the high end of the price scale, but that’s what you get at a nice hotel bar. Would definitely go back when the weather is nice.

We’ve picked a place…Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

We’ve been all over…Cyprus, Sicily, Sardinia, Salento. We loved them all but each had a critical flaw. Global warming is making a lot of places too hot to bear in the summer. Enter Madeira. We went a long time ago for a very short break and for some reason kind of forgot about it. Then while researching places to retire, up it came. Not overly hot in summer, not cold at all in winter. Mountains, sea views, wonderful food.

So we went back, loved it and went back again.

Now we are Trying to buy a house. More on that later. Wish us luck.