For more than 25 years, Páteo Velho has provided restaurant and catering services to the Alenquer region, from its base in the village of Atalaia. With a newly renovated restaurant space, the level of service has taken on an updated feel, with the ability to host both large groups and intimate dining.
A take on ovos rotos with a mayo sauce 
Quail hiding beneath packets of fillo
The menu features petiscos and shared plates, served family style, and we saw a succession of these during our dinner there in late November, hosted by the Câmara Municipal de Alenquer. The parade of mostly modern Portuguese dishes began with the restaurant’s take on a Spanish tradition: ovos rotos. The eggs with batatas fritas and presunto were tossed with a mayonnaise-based sauce. Peixinhos da horta were flavorful and snappy, and a roast quail hiding under filho pastry added an elegant touch. The shared entrées included pork belly, cabrito, and bacalhau. For dessert, I particularly enjoyed the mango mousse, along with a pudim abrade de priscos (like a port-wine sauced flan) and chocolatey bites.
Rich pork belly over a hominy stew 
A colorful entrée of bacalhau 
Autumn-inspired desserts
Páteo Velho also offers takeout food, for preparation and home enjoyment, and full catering services. The wine list features favorites from the Alenquer DOC, as well as the greater VR Lisboa and Portugal.
Páteo Velho, Rua 25 de Abril, n.º 25, Atalaia
2580-401 Ventosa, Alenquer; Tel.: +351 263 760 466