La Paella em Funchal

31/12/2024: Having eaten at Akua we decided to try Theo's. A different style of menu but still the same wonderful flavour combinations. This was the best lamb shank I've eaten, really tender and delicious. Staff were friendly and knowledgable about the dishes. The quince desert was amazing. If I'm honest I prefer Akua, but that said the food is still excellent any well worth a visit

29/12/2024: After our first full day in the magical Paradise of Madeira we were looking forward to the second of Chef Julio’s Eateries having had an excellent meal at Akua on arrival. We were not disappointed! The restaurant has a chic cool classical feel and we were given amazing table on the terrace overlooking the bustling street. A familiar face came to the table to greet us and it took a second to register Raquel from the previous night! As generally we chose to share a collection starters and they were all AMAZING….The Shrimp Rissole was exceptional - a work of genius and as someone who never ‘gets’ Croquettes, I have now seen the light after the Suckling Pig!! The Cod, Market Fish and Suckling Pig mains were all gorgeous, but for me I won with the Scarlet Prawns being the star of the show. A perfect balance of fishy wonderfulness but perfectly balanced with a lightness….This Chef can really cook! When you are travelling you MUST try the local wines, there are millions of unknown grapes and wines out there that will blow you away - BUT always get advice! Raquel, after much deliberation chose a Madeiran red that perfectly paired with the food - she clearly knows her stuff!! Throughout the meal she offered the perfect mix of attentiveness, advice and great humour…. Here is the thing, no matter how good the surroundings, how talented the Chef, how good the unsung heroes of the kitchen that bring his creations to life in the real world….. The thing that is lost all too often and definitely in the UK…. Front of house define your eating experience, they can ruin the finest restaurant or elevate the average, at their best they are true professionals, knowledgeable , charming ‘conductors’ making the orchestra that is a restaurant sing in harmony! This was definitely the case here….Raquel made the very good exceptional!!! Thank you and for the restaurant recommendations for your home island of Porto Santo A wonderful night