Goa has always been divided into two, and
this distinction goes beyond governing purposes. While North Goa is the tourist
destination with its plethora of pubs, clubs, restaurants and lounges, South Goa
has always been the scenic route. This has never really been a bad thing,
except for when people in the south have sudden cravings for dining out and
trying something new. However, of late, with the opening of several new
establishments south side of the Zuari Bridge, foodies down south are having a
very satisfying experience in their own neck of the woods.
“There has been, for some time now, a huge
demand from the south for quality options and thus, when places like Kudos
Sizzlers and Pizzeria and Farmhouse Bar and Bistro in Benaulim opened, there
was an instant crowd. The same can be said of restaurants in Margao like Spicy
Family Bar and Restaurant,” says Coralisa Estibeiro, businesswoman from
Majorda.
While Shawn D’Souza of Kudos agrees that
they have had an overwhelming response since they opened, Anastasio Fernandes
of Farmhouse informs that he now has to urge customers to reserve tables as the
restaurants gets packed on weekends. Rohit Naik, who owns Spicy restaurant in
Margao, adds that it is not just the youth but families too who frequent his
place.
There are some restaurants that believe
that it all depends on what one offers. “I don’t believe in a north south
geographical divide when it comes to customer demand and perception. What my
brother Larry and I believe is that if you put a good product for good measure
then diners will come from far and wide. We have diners who drive down all the
way from Calangute,” says Bobby Cassius Martins of Martins Multicuisine
Restaurant and Bar.
“A debate that sometimes does amuse us is
the North Goa v/s South Goa debate. While I agree that people in their early
twenties are seen more in the north, i believe that is because of two simple
reasons: The south hasn’t managed to pick up on the ‘weekend clubbing scene’
and those from the north rarely ever travel south, so in terms of convenience,
maybe the weekends do look a little more populated up north,” reasons Reynold
Abranches, Proprietor, Soul Souffle, Verna
Cyril Henriques who runs Fishka Bar and
Restaurant in Betalbatim also observes that earlier the youth would rush to the
north as they probably had more freedom to enjoy the kind of cuisine and
experience that wasn’t available in the south. He feels that now with new
places opening up, one does not have to travel far for the same experience.
Macustoy Almeida who owns Cherry Tomato
Café in the south believes that what draws people to his place is the ambience
that lets people relax and let their hair down after a tiring day at work,
catching up with friends or unwinding while enjoying a bite and a drink.
Donovan Vaz whose family owns Firfely
Bistro also speaks about how there is that kind of culture and atmosphere that
attracts crowds from different age demographics, giving the example of how the
Thursday night Karaoke has become a crowd puller for the last few years.
