Nov 04, 2015 12:26 PM
8892 Views
(Updated Nov 04, 2015 12:32 PM)
This may be an year old addition to the wide range of restaurants in Goa. The place was a big-hit when it was launched and it also gained huge popularity because of the cheap rate it offered the buffet lunch.
The place has some huge competition when it comes to offering good food at an affordable price, especially in the fish option. Most office goers choose to go places, which can give good quality fish and at a reasonable price.
This place might just have an edge over others when it comes to a group get together or a lunch party thrown by someone, when they know that all that they need to spend is about 300 * X number of people.
Besides, buffet the place also offers A-la-carte and home delivery.
Lets come to the other aspects
Location: I would say place is right in the city of Panjim not so far away, but away from the most common joints. Kala Academy is what you need to look for (irrespective of how you are traveling, your own vehicle, public transport, rick/taxi.)
This is the address: Hotel Campal, Opposite Kala Academy, Panaji, Goa.
Parking: The place is like in those smaller gullies, but one should be able to find road-side parking as these internal roads are less busy.
Ambiance: Decent and simple decor, well arranged tables. Since they know mostly its the big groups visit this place, there are a few sets of bigger tables.
Menu: Most people visit this place during lunch hour for the buffet system. It has on offer: Soup, some starters like Babycorn Chilly, Goan fish curry, rice, fried fish(pomfret, kingfish) besides Chicken dishes like xacuti, masala etc.
Veg options are also available like veg biryani, plain rice, daal, veg chilly fry, naan.
A-la carte menu: Almost everything, Chinese, Goan, Seafood, Punjabi, Mutton, Rice, Noodles, Salads, Raita.
Service: Nothing in particular to comment as since its buffet system, customer does the most part, however they are happy to help you whenever needed.
Price: Important aspect and it keeps fluctuating. When they launched, I think the cost was Rs. 250/- for a buffet lunch, which was a very tempting offer. Soon, it was hiked to Rs. 299/- and then to Rs. 399/- which I believe did not get a good response and was then cut back to Rs. 350/-. It kind of keeps changing.
Final take? I believe the concept was innovative to offer unlimited buffet (especially fish which means a lot to Goans) at a cheap rate - however the same could not be sustained because of multiple factors - one importantly being roaring fish prices, unavailability of fish during off seasons etc.
There can be two perspectives here: from a Goan regular perspective, its like one-off visiting experience while for domestic and other tourists visiting Goa, I don't see it will be any disappointing experience.
Tip: Lunch time it usually gets crowded, much better on week-days than weekends, this makes it some times like - food running out (though its being replenished by the staff), people waiting for you to finish soon.it creates a not-so-good ambiance.
Last minute update: A friend mentioned that the fish served in the "unlimited" lunch buffet has been "limited" to one portion. This will be very disappointing to the local fellows, need to validate this, though.
