Rio Restaurant
(Around the corner from Panjim Inn)
We were feeling hungry late into our last night in Goa and decided to go to Rio, a "Pure Veg" restaurant. We never ventured here earlier because it always looked empty... our loss, because this place is actually a favorite of taxi drivers in the area. Around 11pm, it was packed. The food here was serious, and included both northern and southern food, as well as chinese food.
Alas, we forgot our cameras at the hotel and did not take pictures. The chapati was fresh with a litte char. DJKung and I shared a paneer tikka masala. It was a generous portion, very savory and filling. We agreed that this was the best restaurant that we had tried here in Panajim.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
South India: Goa: Venita Restaurant
Venita Restaurant
Panajim, South Goa
Our taxi driver, who was born and raised in Panajim, recommended this restaurant. We were disappointed that this was another tourist trap, unfortunately. But at least we got to try casheew feni on our last night.
Stuffed crab, one of the specials that evening. The crab was fresh, but had too much sauce in the filling.
Steak, which DJKung pronounced as "awful."
Panajim, South Goa
Our taxi driver, who was born and raised in Panajim, recommended this restaurant. We were disappointed that this was another tourist trap, unfortunately. But at least we got to try casheew feni on our last night.
Our drinks for the evening. Aquafina bottled water, King's beer, selzer water, cashew feni. Feni is a local liquor made from cashew fruit. It had a slightly oily texture and a sweet, cloying, almost-decaying aroma that was unmistakably from cashews. We found it very difficult to drink, it was quite strong.
Stuffed crab, one of the specials that evening. The crab was fresh, but had too much sauce in the filling.
Steak, which DJKung pronounced as "awful."South India: Goa: Viva Panjim
Viva Panjim
Panajim, South Goa
This restaurant is pretty much where the tourists in Panajim go, although we did notice quite a few locals too. Viva Panjim is only a few blocks from Panjim Inn, and the menu looked good. The food was ok and nothing spectacular.
Chicken lollipops. These are deep-fried chicken wings with a masala marinade. DJKung really loved this dish. I'm sure Chibby and Babams would've, too.
Fried papadum.
Chicken chili fry. DJKung felt that it was ok, but not as good as Candlelight's.
Fried prawns. I must say that the prawns we've had throughout the trip were very flavorful, not like the cardboard stuff that you get back home. I'm not sure why, when the local prawns here are all farmed, too.
Panajim, South Goa
This restaurant is pretty much where the tourists in Panajim go, although we did notice quite a few locals too. Viva Panjim is only a few blocks from Panjim Inn, and the menu looked good. The food was ok and nothing spectacular.
Chicken lollipops. These are deep-fried chicken wings with a masala marinade. DJKung really loved this dish. I'm sure Chibby and Babams would've, too.
Fried papadum. 
Chicken chili fry. DJKung felt that it was ok, but not as good as Candlelight's.
Fried prawns. I must say that the prawns we've had throughout the trip were very flavorful, not like the cardboard stuff that you get back home. I'm not sure why, when the local prawns here are all farmed, too.
South India: Goa: Auntie Maria's Coffee Shop
Auntie Maria's Coffee Shop
Panajim, South Goa
After quite a bit of walking, we ducked into this coffee shop for some refreshments and some good ol' ac. Auntie Maria's is in the ground floor of one of the fancy hotels in the center of Panajim.
Goan mutton potato puff. DJKung felt that it tasted quite generic.
Chocolate walnut pie. The filling was nutty and chocolatey, but the crust could use more work.
Panajim, South Goa
After quite a bit of walking, we ducked into this coffee shop for some refreshments and some good ol' ac. Auntie Maria's is in the ground floor of one of the fancy hotels in the center of Panajim.
Goan mutton potato puff. DJKung felt that it tasted quite generic.
Chocolate walnut pie. The filling was nutty and chocolatey, but the crust could use more work.
I do recall that this place made excellent coffee, which was definitely Nescafe in flavor.It was strong and nutty, almost like it was freshly brewed. I wonder how they were able to make it that way.
Across the street from Auntie Maria's was a storefront that specialized in local sweets and snacks. It was quite mobbed. We promised ourselves that we would return the next day and pick out some snacks, but unfortunately, did not make it back.
South India: Goa: Gitalla Restaurant
Gitala Restaurant
Panajim, South Goa
While out exploring Panajim, we started getting hungry. Gitala looked like a local joint that specialized in seafood. DJKung got the fish thali, and I ordered some prawn fried rice.
Fish thali. The portions are much smaller than at SAS. The fish had an off taste to it, so DJKung left it untouched.
Prawn fried rice. This was actually not bad.
Panajim, South Goa
While out exploring Panajim, we started getting hungry. Gitala looked like a local joint that specialized in seafood. DJKung got the fish thali, and I ordered some prawn fried rice.
Fish thali. The portions are much smaller than at SAS. The fish had an off taste to it, so DJKung left it untouched.
Prawn fried rice. This was actually not bad.
We were really disappointed with the fish thali, and did not try anything else on the menu.
South India: Goa: La Plage
La Plage
Ashvem, North Goa
The guests at Siolim House raved about this place, a French fusion joint that has the reputation of being the best restaurant in the whole of Goa. UFC is a bit leery of fusion food in general, but we gave it a shot. La Plage lived up to the hype.
To get there, you need to either get on your scooter or grab a cab ride, because it is quite removed from the town center of Ashvem. Supposedly, the beaches at Ashvem are quieter and low-key, but we found quite a few more tourists here than at Arambol. With the tourists, of course, you also get the sarong sellers, the massage offers, and the like. The beach has clean white sand and strong surf.
Plenty of beach huts about. This one is right outside La Plage.
More beach huts.
Sardine fillets with pickled ginger, wasabi chantilly and white radish salad. Wow. It reminded us quite a bit of pickled herring. The radish salad had apples, cucumber and lemongass. It had some bite. The chantilly was light, fluffy and was spicy-cool. Very interesting group of textures.
Calamari salad was fresh, tender, and a bit salty. It went well with King's beer. Fresh uncooked green salads are rarely seen in the traditional Indian meal, so I was happy to see a lot of greens in this dish.
Grilled fillet of beef with pepper sauce, sauteed potatoes and braised carrots. DJKung loved this dish, having gone without beef in the last few days. It was prepared French-style, with no frills. The meat was not too gamy and cooked perfectly. The potatoes were very flavorful, and tasted like they were fried in the beef drippings.
Grilled red snapper fillet with basil butter sauce, sauteed zucchini and basmati rice. The fish was superfresh, nicely seared on the outside and tender inside. These guys are serious with their barbecue.
Veggie tempura. Also great with beer.
Mussels in coconut curry sauce. The sauce was harsh and rather disappointing, because the curry tasted like it came from a bottle, instead of being freshly made. It did not go too well with the mussels, which were fresh, small and sweet.
Stuffed manicotti with baby asparagus. Very refreshing.
This is the local fur that lounged with us at Ashvem. It was fun watching the doggies take a dip in the water whenever it got too warm.
Ashvem, North Goa
The guests at Siolim House raved about this place, a French fusion joint that has the reputation of being the best restaurant in the whole of Goa. UFC is a bit leery of fusion food in general, but we gave it a shot. La Plage lived up to the hype.
To get there, you need to either get on your scooter or grab a cab ride, because it is quite removed from the town center of Ashvem. Supposedly, the beaches at Ashvem are quieter and low-key, but we found quite a few more tourists here than at Arambol. With the tourists, of course, you also get the sarong sellers, the massage offers, and the like. The beach has clean white sand and strong surf.
Plenty of beach huts about. This one is right outside La Plage.
More beach huts.La Plage was bigger and livelier than we expected. Our first visit was on a Sunday, and the place was packed. The decor is very cool-casual, with tents, lamps and beach chairs and festive beach music. We snagged a low table with a view of the beach and ordered some beer and apps.
Sardine fillets with pickled ginger, wasabi chantilly and white radish salad. Wow. It reminded us quite a bit of pickled herring. The radish salad had apples, cucumber and lemongass. It had some bite. The chantilly was light, fluffy and was spicy-cool. Very interesting group of textures.
Calamari salad was fresh, tender, and a bit salty. It went well with King's beer. Fresh uncooked green salads are rarely seen in the traditional Indian meal, so I was happy to see a lot of greens in this dish.So far, we were very impressed.
Grilled fillet of beef with pepper sauce, sauteed potatoes and braised carrots. DJKung loved this dish, having gone without beef in the last few days. It was prepared French-style, with no frills. The meat was not too gamy and cooked perfectly. The potatoes were very flavorful, and tasted like they were fried in the beef drippings.
Grilled red snapper fillet with basil butter sauce, sauteed zucchini and basmati rice. The fish was superfresh, nicely seared on the outside and tender inside. These guys are serious with their barbecue.On a second trip, we decided to just linger there and order as we felt.
Veggie tempura. Also great with beer.
Mussels in coconut curry sauce. The sauce was harsh and rather disappointing, because the curry tasted like it came from a bottle, instead of being freshly made. It did not go too well with the mussels, which were fresh, small and sweet.
Stuffed manicotti with baby asparagus. Very refreshing.
This is the local fur that lounged with us at Ashvem. It was fun watching the doggies take a dip in the water whenever it got too warm.
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