Goa – the land of toddy, feni, siestas and fish! Every where we ate, the sea food menu far out did the veg menu. And Pork!! Goans and their Siesta and Dukkar!

We stayed in Casa Colvale. Back of the Beyond.

If you don’t mind driving 40 minutes to the closest good eatery, and if you dont require extreme luxury – stay there. Because the people are lovely, service fabulous. It’s clean, romantic, extremely peaceful, and the small pool is clean and water beautifully chilled, set in the midst of a forest and by the river Chapora, Siolim.

Places to eat –

Mustard. It’s a mix of Bengali cuisine and French. Both of which use heavy doses of mustard. Bengalis use Kasundi, and the French, version of Dijon. Both potent!

Bomras. Oriental at its best. Beautiful settings, slightly bad service. (PSST – I think my server had inhaled some substance which made him slur and his nose water!) Decentish veg options. The rock fish with galangal is highly acclaimed. PS – order the khowsuey in advance. Its really nice, but not readily available.

Gunpowder. Authentic coastal cuisine. You wont get idli dosa there. Look for their appam’s, ishtew, and fish curry.

La Plage. Shack/ restaurant by the sea. Go there with you costume, jump into the sea, have a few drinks, have a meal, chill and spend the day there. Great service.

Thalassa. On the cliff, by the sea, great food, awesome sunset. Book in advance. Well in advance.

J&A. Amazing Pizza’s. But the service has fallen some.

I have a friend sitting next to me, itching to get hold of some pics on my computer. She also has some suggestions for Goa.

Sinq and Cavalla Night clubs. Look for their bollywood and retro nights.

Leela Cottages. Elevar Restaurant . Another place like La Plage. But its seems La Plage is loosing its plot, in comparison to Leela Cottage. Try the baked Camembert cheese, says friend who breathes down my neck.

Fiesta Old favourite. Still does well.

Curlies. Famous shack. Go. Party. Eat and feel the sand between your toes.

Jardin D’Ulysse. Comes highly recommended.

Go with the flow. S A A. So many restaurants were recommended to me. This was one of them. We needed more than 15 meals to complete the list given by friends.

Antares. Started by Master Chef, runner up no 5 or something. Giving Thalassa a run for it’s money. Book in advance.

PS : Look out for Goan Poi bread, Balchao Naan, Balchao Prawns, Fish Curry, Goan Xacuti. All local favourites.

Do have a Feni and Toddy based Cocktail. If you have the gumption, try it their way, neat with whatever they mix it. I don’t know as I have never had the guts to try.

Sit and Chill. Goa is for relaxing, eating and drinking, Chatting and Catching up. Enjoy!

Underneath the Coconut Tree. 

Sitting under the whorls.

Staring at the sky,

My word mixing with yours.

Conversations in the breeze.

Catching up.

Old times and New.

Planning the future.

Blessing the past.

For it brought me to you.

And you can be compared to very few.

(For Mr. Somani – cheers to our many days in the sun!)