May 16, 2001 03:57 PM
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GOA Portuguesa is a tiny, tight little place situated at Shivaji Park in a by -lane which is an offshoot of the main Cadell Road. In fact there is another restaurant STATUS almost next to it. GOA Portuguesa is the most expensive restaurant in Shivaji Park, the other being Chandragupta, a joint bang opposite the Sena Bhavan.
GOA P. caters Goanese Christian (a la Portugaise) kind of dishes made with a lot of ''vinegar'' instead of the usual ''tamarind'' in Konkani food. There are quite a few such kind of food joints in Shivaji Park, like Sindhu Durg, Saraswat restaurants, etc. but it would be a grossly wrong comparison. Like comparing the typical Udupi hotels in every nook and corner all over Bombay, with Woodlands at Nariman Point!
Its not spacious, hence it appears crowded with the tables too close- by for comfort/privacy. To add to this, you have this jolly good soul strumming old Pat Boone, Cliff Richard numbers and winding his way through the tables...smiling at you...You have to put up with the noise whether you like it or not, just to indulge him and his bonhommie. Well you could call it a lively, merry atmosphere! The ambiance is quite good and so is the food...if you are a ''TOTAL'' non-vegetarian (fish, chicken, pork type)
I believe the fish and pork recipes are very good here. You have to check out with the waiter before ordering, since the names are so outlandish...In case you are not a pork eater, I would suggest you totally avoid anything with ''Consomme'' attached to it in the recipe explicit, as this dish would have some content of pork. I would recommend the ''Lobster'' in thick, rich aromatic gravy. I had this once, and it was simply delicious..heavenly! The sweet dish ''Bebinca'' is tempting and extremely tasty too; it contains a lot of eggs. it's a typical portuguese baked desert - A challenge to make, a delicacy to eat!
Its fun to wine and dine here. They serve cocktails and mocktails too and liqueurs if it pleases you. But I must add that this is a place where you would take your ''Petit(e) Ami(e)'' special friend / or spouse on Special occasions only (too expensive) and talk and laugh loudly to be heard (tables too near)...In general, have a roaring time! Oh Yes, they also show you the album with pics. of their famous clientele and their remarks...wherein you would pen yours too, just before leaving. Then while leaving they would enquire ever so sweetly about your Birth date, Anniversary date...You would know WHY, only when you receive a call wishing you ''A Happy Birthday!/Happy Anniversary! Would you like to book a table Ma'am ?
...Thank You ma,am!'' (Oh Soo Shweet!!)
But how can I forget that evening a few years ago, when, after dinner they served me this Liqueur with Love and Compliments...It was my B'day..OH I FELT SO SPECIAL...Now, what was that..? Mint ?
