ORGANISING YOUR EVENT
We would be very happy to meet you to go through the details of your specific requirements. In order to help you prepare for this the following information should be of interest.
SETTING THE BUDGET
If you have a budget in mind please give us an indication of this as soon as possible. This will make it easier for us to make the most appropriate recommendations for your event.
For your information the following factors have an impact on your Budget, Time of year: The closer to high season the higher the cost. Generally we do not hold private evening functions in July, August and the first 2 weeks of September as these are extremely busy periods
Menu: the menu as well as the format (sit down table service, buffet, dancing etc) will have an impact on your Budget.
Number of guests: The more guests you have the lower the cost per person.
Portion of the venue used. The Fortaleza Restaurante and gardens can be divided into various areas to accommodate your function according to the number of guests you are expecting. As a guideline:
For 100 guests you should consider opting for the full unit
For 60 guests the Baronial Dining Hall is an appropriate size
For 40 guests the Ocean Terrace
For a smaller and more informal occasion the Conservatory will comfortably house 30 merry makers
CHOOSING THE MENU
In order to build your perfect menus please browse our online ‘a la carte’ menu as well as our special Jazz Lunch BBQ menu. As you will see our extensive menu specialises in traditional Portuguese cuisine and offers a selection of fresh fish from the local market as well as incorporating some more classic international dishes. If you have any specific request in terms of dishes please do not hesitate to let us know.
We are able to offer special menus for vegetarians as well as offering special menus for children.
WINES AND SPIRITS
A ‘Welcome Drink’ comprising a Champagne cocktail or Rum punch is usually the best way to start any event. This can be accompanied by canapés served on silver trays by staff as the guests arrive and whilst photographs are being taken or whilst there is a line up.
Other drinks served throughout the event will be either purchased individually by your guests from the bar or supplied as specified by yourselves to the limit of the amount you have pre-paid. When the consumption begins to near this figure you will be asked if you would like to make a further pre-payment or if we should open a CASH BAR for your guests to purchase their own drinks. If you wish us to continue to supply against your account you need simply to leave a Visa credit card with the barman.
You may wish to choose the appropriate wines to compliment your meal and sparkling wines or champagnes for the toasts
The most popular choice is our house wines for the meal and these are priced at €11.50 per bottle. For a full list of the wines available click: Wine list
To assist with budgeting you would normally assume a consumption of one half of a bottle for each person. The breakdown is normally around 2 bottles of white wine to 1 of red.
For toasts you have the choice of sparkling wine or champagne and you should allow 5 glasses per bottle, and 2 glasses per person.
Our House Champagne is €39 per bottle; Moët et Chandon is €59; Portuguese Méthode Champenoise is €19 a bottle.
We can also operate a cash bar or you can arrange to leave a credit card or cash for a pre-paid bar. We will let you know when the credit has been used and you can then request us to operate a cash bar or increase your credit.
Due to strict licensing laws no drinks may be consumed on our premises not purchased from us.
ORGANISING THE PERFECT SETTING
We can supply various suggested Table Plans depending on numbers. Your detailed Table Plan must reach us no later than 2 weeks prior to the event. It will be printed and displayed. We can arrange for Place Cards and/or Table Menus to be printed for a small charge if you require this or you may supply your own Place Cards at the same time as supplying the Table Plan.
Table decorations may be supplied by you or we can arrange for these to be supplied and charged for by a local florist.
Any other floral decorations may be supplied by ourselves if you require and following acceptance by yourselves of the quotation, we will put these in place.
Table cloths and napkins will be white linen.
During the meal a selection of C.D.’s (our choice or C.D.’s supplied by you) may be played.
Your Wedding Cake may be displayed on a Stand which we can supply if you require this.
