It’s getting to that
part of the year when in about three weeks time, Goa will have its last high
foodie and party fling before the season peters to a close amidst a surge of
temperatures, before being washed down totally by June, which is when Goans
just soak in and do their own monsoon chilling.
The debilitating heat also puts a stop to absorbing and feeling
Goa in all its colours and senses. And inspiration, must, in these times come
from the institutions of food and drink, created by those who serve.
Panjim, of all places, has actually made the giant leap forward,
with an explosion of real, after work beer drinking pubs springing up, all run
by folks who know their beer, and their entertainment, and food and business.
Greg and Amit, the ‘Cohiba’ duo, have done the back to the roots thing with
Taverna on the Panjim-Miramar thorough fare. If the “after work, hang out
place, to down a few beers, soak in some music and grab a bite before sauntering
home” template could be boxed into a project report and marinated with old
local flavour of a tavern in a tinto in the sixties, out would pop Taverna. And
this is meant for the locals, the first real salute to the unsun g heroes of
“tourism”, our own boys and girls, who have been revving up the party scene in
the ‘North” for years. Yes the recognition gap has been bridged and those who
do NOT need to always cross the bridge to party, are indeed happy. Who won’t
with cutlet pao, Xacuti and the very innovative cheese and corn in a mirchi on
the menu?
The precursors, of this after work hang out explosion were
Watsons, at the Panjim garden, the re-born version of the old Upper House, with
its old music, new vibe and great beer flowing from many taps, initiating a new
urbane, hip party experience.
The Oak Barrel, near the Miramar circle completes the trip of
cool pubs, the way pubs were always meant to me. And if we could add English
roast and a pub quiz on Sundays, that would make all of this oh so perfect and
very English.
Let’s now play a little game of swinging from the South to the
North and pick spots on each end of Goa. Moving out of Panjim and heading
straight to the South, instead of the habitually easier North, a friend has
recommended, Good Fellas in Benaulim as a must do, for lovers of everything
Italian. Run by three Italian dudes, rumour has it that here, warmth and
hospitality is never in short supply. And are we surprised? The, never can go
wrong with (according to foddies who’ve been there before yours truly has)
traditional Affettati Misti platter or ‘salumi’ prosciuttocrudo, salami, ham,
some fine pancetta sliced mortadella and some traditional styled Italian bread,
are the first must haves. And this doesn’t end here.
Then, swing to the North and for a touch of bolly glamour
(actually very down to earth really) and head to Puttu Café an all day European
café that in Vagator opened by Lee Elton, incidentally married to actor
Arunoday Singh. They both met right here in Goa in 2010 and finally got
hitched. Puttu Cafe is great for breakfast.
And then, swing back again to Colva, and to South Goa’s first
micro brewery, Red Ginger. For beer, ale and cider lovers, Red Ginger is a
revelation. Where else in Goa will you get the crafted brew apple cider and
Canadian red ale. Its oriental cuisine of sushi and hot pots gives you the
experience of the orient and the west in the same setting.
And rounding up this week’s stack, swing back to the north to
Eldous, a small family-run restaurant in Siolim. Hang with the Siolkars and
have some fish curry rice you can never go wrong with. And then there is live
music which becomes a crazy jam with everyone contributing to the cacophony.
Enjoy these random picks. Do not be limited by imagination or
geography or cuisine. It’s home.
