RASCALS

[Bruce Wallis]

We were in Rascals the other night, and I mentioned Pickwicks review to them.

They made the very reasonable point, that when Pickwick and his wife left, they said nothing at all to indicate the the comments to follow.......
They also made the point that Pickwick had been invited to return and be compensated with a free lunch.
That, to me seems like a more than reasonable response to a genuine complaint.

Pickwicks subsequent responses appear anything but balanced and reasonable.

I have been responsible to negative reviews of restaurants on this forum, but where subsequently contacted, I have always responded positively.

I have never wanted to damage a business out of spite.
I suggest that intentionally, or otherwise, you are straying into this territory.

You have been invited back......why not respond, rather than take potshots.

[pickwick]

Hi Bruce

I did not respond at all to Rascals post (I did respond to Jacks post though) so I do not know what you mean by "Pickwicks subsequent responses appear anything but balanced and reasonable". However perhaps you are confirming there is some connection between Jack and Rascals other than the 1,000,000,000 to 1 chance that they both joined this forum on the same day, at almost the same time and posted on the same topic independently?? Even so I have not added anything to my original post re the quality of food and drinks I experienced which I stand by 100%. My response to Jacks post was simply to demonstrate the myth that my view of Onze is "in a minority of one" and to point out that he is clearly biased in that respect.

As for a free lunch I did not seek recompense nor do I want a freebie as clearly at the time I was served what they consider to be the "norm" and if they are happy with that quality then that is their business. Like many others I will return to places where I consider the quality, value and ambience to be to my liking and will not patronise places where I consider lacking. My post in relation to Rascals was factual, balanced and reasonable in relation to my experience on the day and in no way spiteful and certainly not designed to do anything other than to inform. I did not take any "potshots" at all at Rascals after my original post and I wish Rascals well - it is not for me though!

Pickwick

[Rascalsbar]

CM, nice try! We have sold several bottles of Moet and I know exactly who they were sold to and you weren't one of them!! I will forgive you though as you are a scouser!! I will make sure there are several very bubbly cold bottles of Moet available for you to purchase when you have your party here next year!!
Pickwick, we are a young couple in a new business and just starting out. If you do not wish to take us up on our offer of a free lunch perhaps you would like a bottle of wine on us and we can discuss how we can do things better. We welcome all feedback and any ideas from all of our customers.
Algarve Jack, nothing to do with us at all.
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[pickwick]

Hi Rascalsbar

You can't please all the people all the time - and I am sorry I did not have a better experience when we visited. The whole point of the foreum is to express opinion and inform but I have no axe to grind so look forward to having a drink with you sometime.

Pickwick

[ditzy]

Rascals is one of the few bars in Carvoeiro that really tries to do something different and I wish Kate and Barry the best of luck. They're having a Christmas party tomorrow from 8pm with live music, mince pies and mulled wine for those looking for something a bit festive

[Graham]

It is said that there is no such thing as bad publicity - I think this exchange of views is a classic case. I believe Rascals have shown they are honestly trying to make their customers as happy as possible and because of this I for one will now try it, whereas I may not have done before

[blue]

It's a shame they decided to hold their Christmas party on the same night as Hemmingway's & Safari's joint Christmas party. We'll be at Hemi's.

[jamielyon4]

we spent all last Sunday afternoon sat on the terrace in glorious sunshine summary of visit - superb view, excellent food, great service, great people and very comfy seats...all in all top notch. We have never been before, we have been in every bar in Carvoeiro and my opinion is this is going to become one of, if not the best place to chill in town. Well done to Kate and Barry you made us feel welcome

[EMM]

Having had a meal in town introducing O Indiano to friends who have justt moved to the Algarve and were missing their weekly curry night we had drinks in two bars often mentioned on the forum.
We first went to Talvez where the service and welcome were up to the usual standard, the friends commented that until this visit they had not found a similar comfortable bar.
We then went to Rascals, again good welcome and service but there was one big difference, Smoking is allowed in Rascals but not in Talvez so Rachel and Sergio will be our first choice in future.
As Rascals serves food surely smoking is not permitted ?

[laserblazer]

As Rascals serves food surely smoking is not permitted

More and more bars seem to be ignoring the ban. We looked into a couple at Christmas and walked straight out again. If these bars had the necessary ventilation systems, they didn't work. I suppose they get better custom from smokers and if the ban isn't policed, which I suspect is the case, then what's to stop them?

[e-richard]

Portugal, by law, and unlike its northern European colleagues offers you a CHOICE !

Bar Talvez, Havanah and Cheers, to name but 3, offer a warm welcome and No Smoking.
Rascals, Mungos and Boa Vida, to name but 3, offer a warm welcome and allow smoking.

Your choice.
How refreshing to have a choice and not be dictated to by faceless bureaucrats ?

[laserblazer]

I thought that they had to have a suitable ventilation system if they allowed smoking?

[e-richard]

I thought that they had to have a suitable ventilation system if they allowed smoking?

You are right, and I believe the above named bars have such systems installed.

I'm not sure what the law actually says about having to switch it on though

[Rascalsbar]

hi guys....

When we opened Rascals we had to have the cubic footage of the bar measured and had to have suitable extraction in place to remove any smoke. We always put the fans on if anyone is eating inside- which is rare as most love eating out on the terrace. What e richard is saying is in fact true, you do have a choice to be non smoking or smoking as long as the extraction is sufficient - although finding out the law was a bit of a nightmare at the time!!! Our choice to be a smoking bar was made due to the fact we opened so late in the season and needed the income. We are likely to revert to non smoking as soon as the season kicks in.
p.s we are having live music on saturday night from 9pm and the extraction system will be in full effect if anyone wishes to see it in action!!!
all the best for the new year!!!!!! barry and kate at rascals xx

[laserblazer]

I don't want to make a big issue about this because we can vote with our feet but I noticed two bars with no smoking signs that were being ignored. They were quite busy and possibly couldn't afford to turn custom away,