"The setting is fantastic, in the Parador Casa da Insua, the only Parador, Spanish chain, in Portugal for the moment. I will post another review of the Hotel and settings, as they are really extraordinary in every aspect. Restaurant, my goodness. I did read previous reviews and was very much aware that the menu hasn't been changed for years, and that few people actually enjoyed the food. I was not particularly hungry, and there is not much in the area, after a long day drive, so I risked it. I also had the 15 percent discount voucher from a previous Parador visit in Spain. So I ordered a beer and the cheese and cold cuts platter. With the discount, 25 euros, INCREDIBLE. Please take a good look at the picture. The estate has a creamery included in the DOP Serra da Estrella, one of the best cheeses in the world. The 24 euro listed platter had 3 small slices of the aged one from the estate, which is honestly one of the worst tasting cheeses I have had lately, including the failed ones I make in my own small kitchen in Hong Kong. Compared to the aged cheese from Serpa, really.... The Amanteigado, was edible, but nothing extraordinary. The cold cuts, unacceptable. Six thin, transparent slices of industrial, supermarket lomo embuchado and I don't really know how many pieces of unedible, and cold from the fridge, ham or presunto. Unedible, tough, rough, nothing I was really expecting, and for 24 euros..... Finally, the staff in the bar and restaurant, which are relatively efficient, could do with been trained to smile from time to time. It's actually good for the face collagen I am told.... This is to be absolutely avoided at all costs, because a good quality cheese and cold cuts platter would have been EXPENSIVE but this one is highway robbery. So if you are ever in the Parador, reserve time and energy to drive to Viseu for anything concerning mouth and stomach. Or buy something at the nearest supermarket and eat it in your room. It is the same you will get in this restaurant, but at a reasonable price."