Food
Parreirinha is a household name for Portuguese food and has been running robust since 1975. It�s a vintage spot for dining and one that enriches us in the traditions of prawns and chips, bacalhau and espetada.

Wine
A good selection of rough Portuguese wines. The connoisseur may find it lacking in subtle or academic choices, but whatever�s available is cool, plentiful and perfectly suited to the food and the atmosphere.

Service
Most of the waiters are Portuguese-speaking Mozambicans � and they know the territory.

Ambience
The riotous decorations here include a sea of neckties, tied to the roof beams by enthusiastic patrons for posterity, along with wall collages of photographs and signatures from friends and celebrity visitors.

And...
It was renovated from the ruins of La Rochelle�s police station � the cells are now atmospheric private alcoves for dining. (AK)