Everything about Goa has me enamoured. The laid back casual attitude of the locals, the happy smiling faces, the umpteen bars that also serve milk, coffee ans tea, the hidden beaches, swishing palms, the catchy konkani music- the list goes on. If I had my way I would live there forever. But reality bites and I sit in the sweltering heat of Delhi, irritated at the umpteen power cuts which seem to be the flavor of this summer.
A birthday in the family and Pashatuks is all ready to explore a part of Delhi not yet explored by them. A chance hit on the search engine and we were set for yet another journey- GOA NIWAS- the state guest house for GOA in Delhi.
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| Goa Niwas |
Situated in Chanakyapuri, the place is fairly easy to find. Parking is not a problem. You can park within the buildings premises.
The building itself is pleasing to the senses done up in white and rust facade, with just the correct amount of lighting to make it appear plush.
One walks in to a very well done up lobby, understated and elegant, a far cry from the standard flashy flamboyance that one is used to seeing in Delhi.
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| the lobby |
Viva O Viva is actually a dining room, not a restaurant. The decor makes you feel that you are in some beach - typical goan knick knacks decorating the walls. True to spirit, one corner had darts, board football and what have you. The sturdy chairs were actually plastic chairs. Soft Goan music playing in the backdrop as the staff smilingly moved around in floral printed shirts. There is no menu card. The menu is handwritten on white boards with markers.Even the water is served in decanters bringing chuckles to all of us.
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| water in a wine decanter? Viva La Goa |
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| if this doesnt tickle the taste buds what will? |
We ordered Crabs in butter and garlic sauce for starters, pork vindaloo, kalami (squids in konkan masala curry-got the distinct taste of kokkum) and sea fish in rava curry with rice and pao.For desserts we had Godol, which tasted like a halwa of jaggery and rice powder. The portions are fairly large and ended up bringing most of the vindaloo and fish home.An apology to all the vegetarian readers- pashatuks was so delirious with all the foodon my plate that we didnt really take into account what is available for the vegetarians, but the birthday boy says that he recollects that there were some items for the vegetarians,though he doesnt remember what.
With the silent chilling of the air conditioning, we wolfed down our meal and washed it down with lemonade and iced tea ( kind of felt like Ms.Nimboopani). There is no liquor served at the dining area, at least officially and we were too happy with the food to want any more.The pricing is entirely affordable - the entire meal cost us around INR 2000 -a fraction of what I would have paid should I have gone to a private enterprise having the same quality of ambience and menu.Definitely a must visit place for the non vegetarian food lover.
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| chill out with darts and other board games till the food gets prepared |
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| the ever friendly chiry waiter explaining the menu details |
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| table mats with Mario Miranda sketches |
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| served with pao and mango pickles- tickles the taste buds like nothing else |
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| crabs in butter garlic sauce |
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