Goa ~ Binge on the Beach!

Golden sunshine, dreamy beaches, chilled beer and delicious food....welcome to Goa!

Last week, I had the best time in Goa trying all the local delights. I ate at some good ol' favourites like Souza Lobo, and some not-so-famous ones which truly deserve to be on the map. Here are my recommendations for hungry travellers in North Goa.

Prawns Rava Fry
Also available in fish and squid, this dish is soulfully Goan. Try this delicacy at any beach shack but be very sure that the prawns are cleaned and deveined.



Prawns Vindaloo
Vindaloo is perhaps Goa's most popular local dish... the spicier, the better. We enjoyed this red hot prawn curry with rice and boy, was it awesome! Don't forget to keep your chilled Kings handy ;-)
This dish is available at all beach shacks. Shacks serve authentic Goan food but then again, some are better than the others. Be wise, pick a shack that has a good number of tables occupied ;)

Prawns Butter Garlic
This dish is not exactly Goan but delicious nonetheless. And nobody cooks it better than SOUZA LOBO, North Goa's most popular eatery.

Cheese Garlic Naan
Skip your regular chakna and opt for cheese garlic naan to go with your beer. We tried the naan at many places but again, Souza Lobo emerged supreme. The naan was literally melt-in-the-mouth.... I am drooling!


Vegan Burger
You'd be crazy to go vegan in Goa. But I've always been curious about vegan food. So I tried a vegan burger at a food stall at the popular Saturday Market (Calangute). I picked the spinach burger over the red beans one..really wish I had tried the latter. Wrapped in a vegan pita bread, it was loaded with a spinach patty, veggies and chilli sauce. Ask nicely like I did, and you'll also get chilled Tahini sauce. Yum Yum.


Chocolate Eclair, Chocolate Pie, Chocolate Crunchie
The ultimate post-party comfort food is available at Mambo's deli where desserts on are a tempting display.... A total feast for chocoholics, try the sinful chocolate pie, chocolate eclair (image below) or if you want something ligther then opt for the chocolate crunchie.

Chocolate Mousse Cake
I've never been too fond of Brittos; yes it is great for seafood but is also very expensive. This time we went there just for desserts. The blueberry cheesecake was very disappointing, but the chocolate mousse cake saved the night!



Cheese Mushroom Omelette
The complimentary breakfast at our hotel was a joke. So we headed straight out to Candolim beach and tried breakfast at a shack. The cheese omelette with toast-butter was superb! Wash it down with fresh juice and avoid the milkshakes.


Sex On the Beach
Who leaves Goa without having sex on the beach? We tried this cocktail with a strawberry twist at St. Anthony - a karaoke bar at Baga beach. Priced at Rs.200 it seemed expensive but was our best companion as we crooned to Just the Way You Are...

Chocolate Pancake and Mushroom Pasta
On the last day of our trip, we stopped by at a place called Rock Cafe, Calangute. Small and unpretentious, it didn't seem like much until we experienced the yummy food and friendly service. We absolutely loved the mushroom pasta and fish preparations. On special requests to the owners, we got hot 'n fresh chocolate pancakes...mmm...what a delicious ending!

California Pizza Kitchen, Phoenix Mills - Review

CPK’s second outpost in Mumbai flagged off at Phoenix Mills two days ago. Strategically located in the corporate hub of the city, this outlet replaced the popular post-work hangout, Sports Bar. As the first outlet in Bandra-Kurla Complex got lukewarm reviews, I had my doubts about the newcomer. But as always, I was more curious than dubious :-)

The entrance, with sunny yellow awnings reading “pizza, pasta, appetizers” would lure any Phoenix shopper to step in. I sure fell for it!

The restaurant is spacious and bright, with neat brown tables, a swanky bar area and a tall wine rack to complete the look. Although it is only two days old, CPK is already pulling crowds owing to its brand value.


To Eat
CPK’s menu is more or less the same across all outlets; it includes appetizers, pizzas, pastas, soups, focaccia sandwiches, salads and desserts (a complete medley of Middle-Eastern, Mexican and Italian cuisines). Well, as long as it’s yummy! Try Hummus with Pita Bread; or Lettuce Wraps, or the Baja Chicken - a famous appetizer of grilled chicken breast loaded with cheese, corn, black beans, red onions and cilantro and served with fresh guacamole. But if you’re not a big eater, skip the appetizers and jump straight to the mains. The “Specialities” menu has a dish called Chicken Milanese, which MasterChef lovers would not want to miss! Anyway, I was craving for pizza. Unfortunately you can’t make-your-own pizza so I had to pick one from the menu. The Goat Cheese pizza sounded tempting, yet too cheesy. The Thai pizza sounded bizarre, thai curry and pizza? No way! The Greek Pizza has awesome toppings but they’re served cold. Okay, next! The Pesto Pizza with kalamata olives sounded awesome but I finally called for a Veggie Aubergine thin-crust pizza. Topped with fresh broccoli, mushroom slivers, sweet corn, red onions, sundried tomatoes and aubergine, it was certainly flavourful but not worth the price tag of Rs.380+taxes. (Add chicken at an extra cost). The Chocolate Brownie with ice-cream and hot chocolate sauce was a much sweeter deal!





To Drink CPK has a wine selection (mostly domestic) starting at Rs.300+taxes for a glass, beers including Corona and Kingfisher, cocktails (although the menu is still WIP) and soft beverages. I called for something called Freshly Brewed Ice Tea (Rs.130). What’s so fresh about it, you ask? First, they brew it like any hot tea and then chill and serve it in a tall glass. Does it enhance the flavour? I’d say yes!


My Verdict
CPK is more than just a 'pizza kitchen'. the menu is extensive and delish! So if you're looking for a fresh new fine dine option in Southern Mumbai, check in to CPK; you might just spot me with a glass of wine in one hand and a credit card in the other ;)

Meal for Two (approx, without alchohol): Rs.1200
Address: Level 1, Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel
Phone: 65558888 (Home delivery in Lower Parel only)

Razzie Wonder

What: Baked Raspberry Cheesecake

Where: Wich Latte, Colaba Causeway 65254827

Why: I'd dare not put this one up for the Razzie Awards! This decadent baked cheesecake is too good to be shared (and I always sort of preferred the baked version, as it seems more cheesy.) It's as good as the one served at 5 Spice, Bandra. Hi five!

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Made in Mocambo

What: Spaghetti Aglio E Olio

Where: Mocambo Cafe, Near Bombay Store, Fort. 22870458

Why: I know this ain't the best looking pasta, but I absolutely love it and recommend it especially for those who're sick of creamy sauces. Aglio e Olio translates to 'garlic and oil' and this dish has just that - perfectly balanced flavours of garlic, extra virgin olive oil, herbs and parmesan. I asked for extra mushrooms which was quite unnecessary. This is simplicity at its palatable best!

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Paint My Love!

What: Red Velvet Cupcakes

Where: Candies, Pali Hill, Bandra (W). 26424124

Why: I am absolutely in love with these babies! I've tried cupcakes at several places in Mumbai and I assure you, nobody makes them better. If it's Red Velvet Cupcakes, it's got to be Candies!

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Nachos with Guacamole

What: Oven Fresh Special Nachos

Where: Oven Fresh, Shivaji Park, Dadar. 32492662

Why: Few places in Mumbai get Guacamole right. Nachos taste extra yummy with this avacado-based dip. Try it! (Ask for all the 4 dips - guacamole, sour cream, salsa and mango dip).

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Wake up, Mr. President!

What: 'The George Washington' Breakfast Platter
Where: Crepe Station Cafe, Carter Road, Bandra (W). 26053307
Why: Wake up to the best breakfast platters in town! This one includes eggs, bacon, herbed potatoes, baked beans, sweet corn, toast-butter-jam and fresh juice.
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Thin is in!

What: Pizza Verdure

Where: Two One Two, Worli. 24901994.

Why: If you want to take a break from desi masala-loaded pizzas and try something authentic (and expensive all the same), try this crisp thin-crust pizza.

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Vegetable Salan

What: Vegetable Salan with Tava Paratha
Where: Indian Harvest, Acres Club, Chembur (E). 65169338
Why: This Indian restaurant is a hidden gem! Try their one-plate meals comprising of a veg/chicken main, and crispy hot parathas.
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The Vampire's Choice

What: Beetroot Sheera
Where: Anand Bhawan, King Circle, Matunga (E). 24015745
Why: This blood-red sheera is not just for the Cullen family! Red beets might not be your idea of dessert but this sheera at Anand Bhavan is a delightful surprise.
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Yummy... It's a Wrap!

What: Iceberg Lettuce Wraps
Where: Mainland China, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai. 25708800
Why: A typical rendition of Chinese vegetable wraps, this dish is a rarity in Mumbai and a deligh to eat. Take a piece of the ice-cold lettuce, smear some plum sauce and contrasting hot vegetables. Wrap it up and enjoy!
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Fountain of Joy!

What: Chocolate Fountain
Where: Brujin Chocolates, Palladium Mall, Lower Parel
Why: I don't know the question, but chocolate is definitely the answer! Enjoy the overflow of these luxe chocolates at Brujin.
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Sweet Indulgence

What: Wine Pate
Where: Indigo Delicatessen, Apollo Bunder, Colaba (66551010)
Why: A sinful chocolate & wine dessert puts the perfect end to a romantic dinner.
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