Dear Editor,
I’m glad someone finally spoke up against the “couvert” robbery at Portuguese restaurants.
In my experience in the Algarve, the majority of restaurants are guilty of bringing unordered appetizers and, in many cases, charging for them even though people often don’t touch them.
As I am a resident, I already know to send them back right away. But I’m sure there are many establishments that make a few more euros every day with this little ‘technique’.
I advise always checking your bill at the end of a meal to make sure the restaurant has not overcharged or added anything that you haven’t eaten.
Hopefully this problem has been given enough media exposure to inform restaurant-goers of their rights, and that you don’t have to pay for anything you did not consume.
Charles Jones, by email
