CombatCritic's "TravelValue"

Monday, December 10, 2057

Countries Visited ... So Far ... 41 And Counting!

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List (Alphabetical)

Bahrain – Kingdom of Bahrain

Belgium – Kingdom of Belgium

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bulgaria – Republic of Bulgaria

Canada

Croatia – Republic of Croatia

Czech Republic

Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat/Grønland)

France – French Republic

Germany – Federal Republic of Germany

Greece – Hellenic Republic
Holy See

Hungary

India – Republic of India

Ireland
Israel

Italy – Italian Republic

Jamaica

Japan

Korea, South – Republic of Korea

Luxembourg – Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Macedonia – Republic of Macedonia

Malta – Republic of Malta

Mexico – United Mexican States

Micronesia – Federated States of Micronesia

Monaco – Principality of Monaco

Montenegro

Netherlands

Palau – Republic of Palau

Palestine - State of Palestine
Portugal – Portuguese Republic

San Marino – Republic of San Marino

Saudi Arabia – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Slovenia – Republic of Slovenia

Spain – Kingdom of Spain

Switzerland – Swiss Confederation

Tunisia – Republic of Tunisia

Turkey – Republic of Turkey

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

United States – United States of America

- Guam

- Puerto Rico

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Title: Countries Visited ... So Far ... 41 And Counting!

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Sunday, December 10, 2056

Why Should You Read My Reviews And Subscribe To TravelValue?

I served my country in the United States Air Force for over 20 years and have visited 44 countries over the last 35 years, all without spending over $75 per night for a nice hotel room and dining in excellent restaurants for well under $25 per person. How do I do it? Through diligent research, exploration, trial and error, and tapping local knowledge.

Would you like to stay in a central, 3-star hotel in a major city for under $20 per night? How about a room with a balcony and view of the Himalayas while attending teachings with the Dalai Lama for just $5 per night? Or a beachfront hotel for $13 per night? Maybe a meal prepared by a 5-star chef for less than $20? Well, you have come to the right place ...

CombatCritic's "TravelValue"

Having several popular travel blogs CombatCritic.com and received numerous accolades from several of the top travel and restaurant websites/apps (Yelp, TripAvisor, Zomato, Tabelog, Booking.com), you can trust my opinions.

Unlike many reviewers who are either afraid to tell the truth or have personal relationship with businesses and biased views, I reserve 5-stars (10 Bombs on my blog) for only the most flawless restaurants, accommodations, businesses, attractions and destinations, those where you absolutely and without a doubt get the most “bang-for-the-buck”.

CombatCritic.com

I try to remain as objective as possible in all of my reviews, providing the pros and cons as I see them and a rating based on the overall “value” as compared to similar entities in similar locations. I accept no "freebies" and only identify myself as a critic after having been a customer and paid the bill, so you can trust my reviews.

Here is a breakdown of my ratings both on my blogs (where I use a ten point scale) and on travel and dining websites (that all use 5 point Likert-type scales) ...

If I hate a place, they get 1-2 Bombs (1-star)

If so-so with numerous”issues", they get 3-4 Bombs (2-stars)

If average (the vast majority of businesses fall into this category if you look at the distribution of my ratings), they get 5-6 Bombs (3-stars)

If above average, they get 7-8 Bombs (4-stars)

If they are one of the very rare “best of the best” values in my experience, they get 9-10 Bombs (5-stars – I always round up from bombs to stars because I use a 10 point Likert-type scale in order to be more discernible).

Now that you understand my philosophy and ratings, on to my reviews …

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Key Words: combatcritic, travelvalue, travel, value, combat, critic, review, reviews, objective, restaurant, hotel, attraction, destination, Italy, USA, India, Asia, Europe

Saturday, February 13, 2021

Olhão (Algarve), Portugal: Hut One, Hut Two, Indian Hut #1 Scores A Touchdown In My Book

Indian Hut

Rua do Morgado, 3

Olhão Centro, Olhão

+351933012376

https://www.indianhutrestaurant.com

Prices: €€€€

In the back streets of old Olhão, you will find the original Indian Hut, having been in the same location for 10 years. There is a new, but not improved, Indian Hut 2 out on the main drag along the Ria Formosa a few blocks away, but this is our go-to spot.

It is tiny with just a few tables inside and four or five outside under the awning. Being in the mild climate of the Algarve, eating outside is always an option, even on a winter night. The staff are warm and friendly and the service impeccable.

The food is wonderful, having spent four months in India in 2014/2015, I have experienced Indian cuisine at its source, so I know a little bit about what I am talking about. We always start with a couple pappadum (€1 each) and a pickle tray (€3.50), which will easily satisfy four people. The onion bhaji (4 for €3) and chicken samosas (2 for €3.50) are also delicious, but take it easy because the entrees themselves are very filling.

The first time we ate here, I ordered the chicken madras (€8.50), a semi-spicy sauce with big chunks of chicken breast, and an order of pilao rice (€3) which is more than enough for two people (the rice that is). The last couple of times, I had the butter chicken (€10.50) which is the best I ever had. The first time I ordered the 'normal' version, but the second time I asked for 'moderately' spicy and it was wonderful! The serving is quite big, a creamy sauce and several chunks of chicken breast, and it has been difficult not to eat the whole portion, it is that good.

My wife is a saag paneer (€8.50) fan and their's is also very tasty and filling with warm, creamy spinach and chunks of their homemade Indian white cheese. My buddy George loves the fish curry (€9) and gets it as hot (spicy) as the can make it, and his wife Sherry loves the prawn saag (creamed spinach and shrimp - €11).

The wines, beers, and spirits are reasonably priced and a complimentary glass of port is a normal after dinner treat. The only negative is that the entree prices are a Euro or two too high, putting a meal for four, including starters, pilau rice, entrees, drinks, and dessert in the €70 to €80 range which is quite high by Portuguese standards.

CombatCritic Gives Indian Hut #1 9 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Nine Bombs Equates To:

Translation for Civilians: "U.S. Marine Response To A Verbal Greeting Or As An Expression Of Enthusiasm"

Olhão, Portugal: Goodness Gracious, Günther's Is Grrrrrrrrreat And I Will Be Going Back Soon!

Günther's

Road N2-6

Olhão, Portugal

Phone: 912 447 051

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gunthers

A Belgian brasserie in the countryside not far from Olhão, Günther's is cozy, warm, and clean with the upscale feel of a true brasserie.

I could smell the stew cooking from the car park and it smelled heavenly. Our first time here, our good friends told us about this place, introducing us to Günther as we entered the dining room. The fire was roaring with just a party of two inside when we arrived at 19:30. We sat, taking our coats off along with our COVID masks.

The restaurant is warm and inviting, reminding me of a quaint, country French cafe or Belgian brasserie, tastefully decorated and with hand-painted azulejos tile wainscoting adorning the walls. The service was efficient, but not quite attentive enough considering there was only one other party in the restaurant at the time.

We started with a bottle of Grouse, an Alentejo red that was quite nice, robust and smooth. Beside the bread, olives, and pâtes (€10), we ordered the Cheese Croquettes (€7.50) and the Tiny Meatballs in BBQ Sauce (€7.50) for starters. Both were very good, the croquettes coming with a delicious blackberry compote for dipping.

I had the beef stew (€14) made with Belgian brown beer, the scent of which greeted us in the parking lot when we arrived .... YUMM! It was all beef, no veggies, and came in a thick, rich sauce along with a side of mashed potatoes. The main faux pas of the evening was that the chef and been a bit too heavy handed with the salt in the stew. Not so much that it was inedible, but just a tad more than was necessary.

My wife had the asparagus ravioli (€10), which was also delicious, but alas there were only five in total, so my wife left still a bit hungry. Günther's is well known for their steaks and my buddy George had the steak special (€17), having raved over after every bite, accompanied by a tasty peppercorn sauce and crispy, homemade french fries.

Günther's was a delight and we shall return again very soon to sample the rest of the menu.

CombatCritic Gives Günther's 8 Bombs Out of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Eight Bombs Equates To:

Translation for Civilians: "What-The-Fuck ... Over!"

Friday, December 4, 2020

Ohlao, Portugal: Delícia Food, Bread, Booze, and Sweets, All At Very Low Prices

Delícia de Olhão

Padaria, Pastelaria e Snack Bar

Av. 5 de Outubro, 20A

8700-302 Olhão, Portugal

Phone: +351 289 702 406

Prices: €€€€

On the main drag, along the waterfront in Olhão, you will find many eateries, most with high prices for food that you can get at a fraction of the cost a few blocks inland. Then there is Delícia de Olhão.

We stumbled upon this place one evening after I was shamed for forgetting to mask-up at a restaurant a few doors away. It was bright, clean, and had several customers inside and out front on the sidewalk.

They have a simple, basic food menu with grilled sandwiches, omelettes, fish and meat dishes as well as small selection of pizzas. My wife has tried their baguette sandwiches as well as the toasted variety and for just €3, they are a very good value.

I have ordered the pizza here on two occasions now because it is pretty darn good and inexpensive. A large 'normal' pizza comes with tomato sauce, ham, sausage, mushrooms, bell pepper and a s**tload of cheese. The crust is medium thin, crispy enough to support the abundance of toppings, but not thin and crunchy like the horrid pizzas they sell in Rome. All that for just €10. Can you say two meals for €10? That is just €5 a pop!

The house wine is good and cheap, but the selection of desserts/pastries is obscene ... HOOAH!. They have just about any confection you can think of from giant pastel de nata to creamy cakes with fluffy pastry and more. They also sell homemade bread and I have been told that the line is out the door and down the block on Sunday mornings.

Dinner for two, including mains, drinks (water/wine/Coke), and dessert runs around €20. The severs are young, friendly and efficient, but do not count on too much English as this place caters more to locals than tourists.

CombatCritic Gives Delícia de Olhão An Initial 8 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!