Food> Goa Restaurant Guide> Ernesto’s

Image1: What's cookin' at Ernesto's!

Image2: A slice of heaven - Seradura

Image 3: View of the Panjim Municipal Garden
Imge copyright: Tanya Munshi

Ernesto's
Text by: Tanya Munshi
“This is life!” was the first thought that flashed across our minds when we entered Ernesto’s. A place to hang around with friends over beer, have lunch or dinner or a quick bite, Ernesto’s is the place. Their claim to fame, their dessert called Seradura. Its fresh cream topped with biscuit powder. One spoonful of Seradura transport you to paradise.

Ernesto's is an institution in itself. It is a place meant for people who are serious about enjoying life and their mantra is -friends, laughter, good food, beer and of course, music! By the way, don't miss the karaoke nights at Ernesto's. The name is enough, no glossy signpost that you will find to take you there.

Location:
Ernesto's,
At Club Vasco da Gama,
Opposite Municipal Garden
Panjim
Overall Rating:
Ambience - * * * * *
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Presentation of food & drinks - * * * * *
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Published in Rediff.com, on February 11, 2008
Link: http://specials.rediff.com/getahead/2008/feb/11slide1.htm

Food> Goa Restaurant Guide> Lila Cafe

Image: Lila Cafe
Image Copyright: Tanya Munshi

Lila Cafe
Text by: Tanya Munshi

Quite a serene atmosphere is what I would like to mention about Lila Cafe. The entire ambience is done up in white and green, with white painted wooden cane furniture giving it a more relaxing appeal. If you're looking for a stop over for breakfast, lunch or evening high tea, Lila Cafe is just the place.

Mushroom Omelet or Waterbuffalo Ham Sandwhich combined with Assam Tea is soothing on a lazy morning. A breakfast for two should come to within Rs. 300/-.

Lila Cafe is open from morning 8:30AM and closes for the day at 6:00PM. Don't miss their menu card which looks like a tabloid and is an interesting read, while you wait for your order. The staff is courteous, friendly and is a much relief from several snobbish restaurants that you may come across in Goa.

While you wait for your bill to arrive, take a stroll in their souvenir shop. I picked up some really nice incense sticks from Auroville, Pondicherry.

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Location:

Lila Café,

Near Baga-River,

Arpora-Baga, Bardez,

Goa,

Phone: +91 (0) 832 - 2279843

Email: lilacafe@sify.com

Web: http://www.lilacafegoa.com/

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Overall Rating:

Ambience - * * * * *
Service - * * * * *
Presentation of food & drinks - * * * * *
Quantity of food served - * * * * (could have been a little more)
Quality of food - * * * * *
Price - * * * * (slightly steep for the amount of serving)

Food> Goa Restaurant Guide> Ritz Classic

Image: Sea food platter

Image copyright: Tanya Munshi

Ritz Classic
Text by: Tanya Munshi
One of the most popular family restaurants in Panjim that we highly recommend is Ritz Classic. Usually packed during lunch and dinner, it is worth the wait. The staff is highly courteous, in spite of heavy clientele lining up for the Fish Curry Meals. My husband and I decided to stick to one of the staff’s recommendation of a sea food platter and guzzle it down with beer and cola. A meal for two should be within Rs. 300 to Rs. 500. The quantity, taste and the prompt service was simply outstanding, so if you are a sea food lover, then Ritz Classic is the place to visit. The sea food platter is a must have!

Location:
Wagle Vision,
First floor,
18 June Road,
Panaji
Phone: 0832 - 5644796, 0832 - 2426417
Please note: Ritz Classic, is not the same as 'Hotel Cafe Ritz'.
E-mail: ritz17classic@rediffmail

Overall Rating:
Ambience - * * * * *
Service - * * * * * (I should be giving 10 stars, as the staff was prompt and served food on time, in spite of the heavy rush)
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Food> Goa Restaurant Guide> Sweet Chilli

Image1: The drummer!

Image2: Sweet Chilli

Image3: Ambience of Sweet Chilli
Image Copryright: Tanya Munshi

Sweet Chilli

Text by: Tanya Munshi
A brilliant family restaurant, one of our personal favourites, for the only reason these guys made us feel at home. In fact, this was the only restaurant that we came across that was more popular amongst the local crowd who had come here to celebrate anniversaries or birthdays. The master of ceremony seemed to know every localitie by name and gauged the mood of the crowd and the live band played amazing music. A meal for two would cost around Rs. 700 to Rs. 800.

Sweet Chilli is famous for its live Jazz shows, so don't miss that for the world! With a couple of beers, mocktails and chilli chicken, the ambience is just perfect!

Location:

It will be on your way to Fort Aguada

Off the Taj Fort Aguada Junction at Sinquerim,

North Goa

(Opp road to Taj Aguada)

Phone: +91 (0)236 247 9446),

Overall Rating:
Ambience - * * * * *
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Quantity of food served - * * * * (could have been a little more)
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Travel & Food> Goa Restaurant Guide> Café Mambo - Beach Club

Image: Café Mambo - Beach Club

Image copyright: Tanya Munshi

Café Mambo - Beach Club
As a tourist I should be going gaga about Café Mambo, but somehow my experience has not been very good. Since I’ve had heard so much about Mambo's, I thought of giving it a try. My husband had already been to Mambo’s earlier and he was aware about the service, yet he let me form my opinion.

According to me, Café Mambo is a popular joint for Indian teeny boppers, but as an Indian you don’t feel at home when you enter Mambo's. Mambo’s hasn’t left any great memory, especially with regard to the poor service offered. I personally felt that Indians are not too welcome in a place like Mambo’s which is more open to international tourists. I have nothing against international tourists, they are our guests in our country and more than welcome to visit often. But I don't see why domestic tourists, (if they have the money to spend), should not be catered to, on time.

I had a Chocolate Mousse, which cost Rs. 50/-(from a self help counter), drinks extra. I think, only drinks, seesha and small eats are served at your table (not the desserts.)

Entry fee for Mambo's is Rs. 500/- for a couple, food and drinks, extra. The positive part was we got to dance for a couple of hours, till the music got boring. Mambo's needs a music face lift to keep the crowd grooving for more.

Location:
Café Mambo – Beach Club
Baga - Calangute,
Phone: +91 832279895http://www.titos.in/ and http://www.titos.in/mambo.htm

Overall Rating:
Ambience - * * * * *
Service - *
Presentation of food & drinks - * * *
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Quality of food - Strictly okay!
Price - ****

Travel & Food> Goa Restaurant Guide> Zeebop

Clockwise from top: Image 1: Baked Crab, Image 2: Ambience of Zeebop and Image 3: Butter Garlic Squids! - Is your mouth watering yet? :)

Image copyright - Tanya Munshi

The complete foodies that we are, my husband and I after some research, tried out some popular restaurants in Goa. In spite of the reviews by travel guides and magazines, as travellers, we decided to experiment and offer our first hand account. So here goes.

This will be a series of restaurant reviews from Goa, starting from Zeebop.

Zeebop

The ambience is amazing. Cosily nestled in the Utorda Beach, Zeebop is a breather when it comes to beach shacks. The food, though slightly steep was very good. If you’re in a mood for splurging, a meal for two inclusive of drinks, two starters and a main course would cost about Rs. 900/-. The highlight of the menu was butter garlic squids and crab. The crab cost us Rs. 500/-.

I am told that Zeebop looks amazing at night time, when the restaurant is all lit up and with the backdrop of the sea, it adds to the ambience.

Travel tip: Honeymooners, make note of this place; it's worth a visit.

Location:
Zeebop,
Utorda Beach, Opp. Kennilworth Beach Resort.
Phone: 0832-2755333/ 2755977
Email: zeebop@sify.com

Overall Rating:

Ambience - * * * * *

Service - * * * * *

Staff - *****

Presentation of food & drinks - * * * * *

Quantity of food served - * * * * (could have been a little more)

Quality of food - * * * * *

Price - * * * *

Please Note: There are several other restaurants in Goa, which we may not have covered due to shortage of time. But if you have any reviews of restaurants, do post your comments on our blog!

Thanks! :)

T&J