The Grand Launch of Owl the premium Night Club – Calangute

Owl, the premium night club proved to be the hottest new party destination in Goa. The ingenious beats played by India’s top DJ’s Lost Stories, Dj Anish Sood, Dj Akthar & DJ Aqeel left the dance floor bustling with socialites and millennial. The lineup and mash-ups kept the party animals asking for more.

The Premium Nightclub was launched by T-Mark Hospitality, a joint venture by three youthful and energetic entrepreneurs Mr Shikhar Kumar, Mr Trivesh Ajgaonkar and Ms Rhea Kumar. The Trio believes that the owl is more than just a nightclub, it’s more of an experience. The clubs mascot ‘Mr. Hoot’, added to the glamorous evening.

Ms Rhea Kumar, the mastermind behind the décor and interior described the unique concept of the owl. “I have put in a lot of thought into the creative element of the club. Every artwork, every sign has a hidden message. The Owl is not about partying alone, it’s about creating stories.”

When asked how the nightclub benefits the Goans, Mr Trivesh Ajgaonkar revealed, “We have taken care to ensure that Goans too benefit from this club. With the launch of this club, we are hoping to create as many employment opportunities as possible for the Goans. In fact, about 90% of the staff here are Goans. We have a very interesting lineup for DJ in store this season and many of them are our very own GoanDJ ’s.

Talking about the lineups, Mr Shikhar Kumar said “We have an exciting lineup for the coming week. We are introducing Owly Wednesdays, the night dedicated to Women. We are hoping to get both local and international DJ to perform. The Premium nightclub will bring new experiences to Goa. And we look forward to entertaining our party goers with the best we can offer.”

Some of the interesting details incorporated in the club are the ‘Fantasy Well’, a dance area built over an existing well which is also perfect for photo-ops. The club also has a mini art gallery call Pablo which holds some of the most beautiful painting including the famous Beatles poster. With a wide dance area and beautiful interiors, the Owl is the first night club in Goa to have the longest island bar. Keeping in mind the crowded roads and parking issues in Calangute, the club provides Valet Parking to all its patrons.

About OWL Goa

OWL is an underground nightclub, located in the same complex as DivoCafe. It has been an inspiring journey so far and the young and energetic siblings Shikhar and Rhea Kumar promise to deliver an astounding and refreshing experience.OWL nightclub is the best destination to head to for night getaway. With a young, energetic and dynamic team, the premium club is everything that makes your evening getaway a one to remember. From the amazingly built bar to the great groovy music that doesn’t allow you to stand without dancing, the beauty of the club is indeed a treat to the eyes. Apart from the beautiful surroundings, the place has a grand and spacious dance floor along with a fully-stocked bar that caters to every taste. From the glowing ambience to the sounds of the coolest DJ sets, Owl Goa promises a happening time.

Contact Details: +91 98188 55152

 

Indah Desa: Exquisite beach huts in south Goa

South Goa and its beautiful beaches have long been my space of solace, Agonda even more so. Despite its rising popularity around the world, it continues to remain one of the peaceful, idyllic spots in Goa. Each year, I return at the start of a new season to see what’s new, and this time I was delighted to discover Indah Desa, one of the best luxury beach huts in south Goa.

I’ve known the trend-setting trio – Mick from Australia, Dan and James from the UK – for several years now, introduced through a mutual love for cocktails and desserts; theirs of making and mine of indulging. Their bar and restaurant Kopi Desa, now in its third season on the strip, is one of the popular diners to sit at as you watch the world go by, sipping on your favourite cocktail or a refreshing draught beer.

Like many of us expats, they have left behind the humdrum of corporate life abroad after discovering that addictive inspiration that only India can offer to settle down to a life of fulfilling their dreams here in this pristine corner of the country. And with it comes one of the best beach huts in south Goa.

 

In Bahasa Indonesia, Indah Desa means beautiful village. And true to its name, the gorgeous little luxury huts are designed as a blend of local Balinese and Indian architecture. Local thatch, bamboo, palm and earthy tones are the predominant style.

With the success of their restaurant, the three decided to extend their warm and infectious hospitality further through Indah Desa, a cluster of seven beach huts sitting pretty on the virginal white sands of Agonda beach.

Of the seven beach huts, five lie nestled under the swaying coconut palms so abundant in south Goa. These are ideal for those who enjoy the tropical ambience and a slightly more communal setting with a pretty garden in front. The final two command one of the most gorgeous views of coastline in Goa, fitted with air-conditioning for added comfort. 

The spacious huts feature a beautiful outdoor seating area complete with bolsters and cushions that make early breakfasts or late night lounging perfectly inviting. These huts also have delightful little bathrooms that open up to the pretty blue tropical skies of Agonda.

One wouldn’t really imagine much by way of luxury in a hut on a small beach in south Goa, but the little things make a difference. Indah Desa offers high-speed WiFi accessible from the comfort of your hut or from the restaurant as well as an absolutely delightful spread at breakfast that you can opt to eat in your outdoor lounge. I particularly enjoyed the eggs Florentine with wilted spinach and hollandaise sauce in the morning, and the mango mojito later in the evening from my perch on the lounge. 

Together, Kopi Desa and Indah Desa offer visitors to Agonda the perfect combination of a great place to dine and a relaxed space to unwind at one of the best luxury beach huts in south Goa.

At the helm in the kitchen is Daniel, chef par excellence who has a wealth of experience in the culinary sector including work at a Triple AA Rosette-awarded restaurant. For Indah Desa, he has worked diligently to create an innovative menu that offers a wide range of flavours and preferences including vegan, dairy free and gluten free.

The aromas from his beautiful open kitchen leave you craving for pesto scones, whipped goats cheese and slow-roasted tomatoes or red snapper carpaccio, seared beef filets, sizzling hot burgers and more. His exquisite baking skills are on display through a spread of desserts, breads and the delicious sourdough pizza at their main diner, Kopi Desa.

http://www.indahdesagoa.com

Contact Details: info@indahdesagoa.com

POKER KING PATRIK ANTONIUS AT DELTA CORP’S 10th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

High rollers and poker lovers from across India will get the rare chance to meet global pro player and renowned celebrity Patrik Antonius at Delta Corp Ltd’s 10^th anniversary special onboard its Deltin Royale casino in Goa.

Antonius, a Finnish poker player who is also a former tennis player, coach and model, will place his cards on the table as he enjoys the festivities from November 30, 2018 to December 02, 2018, and will continue to meet high rollers and poker fans until December 06, 2018. The long weekend is expected to witness grand celebrations, including entertainment performances by top Bollywood celebrities, across all three Delta Corp vessels in Goa – Deltin Royale, Deltin JAQK and Deltin Caravela.

Delta Corp is the only listed company in the casino gaming industry in India and has been at the centre of the country’s poker fabric since 2008. It has been instrumental in grooming the country’s competitive poker environment by aligning with multiple poker operators to conduct tournaments in Goa from 2011.

Manish Adnani, Delta Corp’s business head for Poker, said, “We are pleased to have Patrik Antonius commemorate our 10^th anniversary and enjoy the festivities with the community. I am very humbled to celebrate this moment with Delta Corp. I remember playing the first game hosted by Casino Royale back in 2009, and since then poker has aggressively been promoted by Delta Corp Ltd and is growing at a fast pace in the sub-continent.”

Delta Corp introduced Texas Hold ‘Em on Casino Royale in 2009 and led the wave of bringing high stakes poker gaming to Goa in 2011. A few years later, it introduced India’s flagship poker tournament – Deltin Poker Tournament – in 2016, and followed it up with India’s first Poker Sports League the next year.

The company has continually strived to improve the poker scene in India and bring various operators under a single umbrella. In this endeavour, it acquired India’s largest poker website Adda52.com and introduced World Poker Tournament (WPT) India to the country in 2017. Earlier this year, Delta Corp also introduced Deltin Poker Tournament’s (DPT) Colossus India’s first super high roller 2018 and DPT Xpress.

Adda52.com, which is bringing Antonius to Goa, is evaluated by iTech Labs and certified to meet industry standards by using award-winning technology that makes it the most secure online poker game platform in the market.

Antonius – also known in poker circles as PA, The Finn and Black Lotus – is one of the world’s most successful high stakes players online and often competes in international poker tournament circuits.

ALILA DIWA GOA LAUNCHES A NEW COCKTAIL BAR – COURTYARD BAR

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Inspired by craft and inventiveness, Alila Diwa Goa’s much awaited cocktail bar, Courtyard Bar, specializes in the art and alchemy of taste. Conjuring the true flavours of fine fruits and botanicals, mixes of a rare quality are carefully calibrated, alongside timeless classics. The menu offers a unique taste of India crafted from spirits and mixers infused in-house with local spices, and build your own gin and tonics. An ideal place for an evening aperitif.

The Courtyard Bar has introduced a concept where one will get to choose from a diverse range of flavours, including Floral, Spiced, Sweet Gin and Vodka. Guests can indulge in an array of options such as a Manhattan with Kokum-infused Martini Rosso & Cherrywood Smoke or a customized gin and tonic made with their choice of herbs and spices. For virgin lovers, there are enticing options such as Kuch Nahi, a tangy concoction of pineapple cubes, coriander and citrus fruit soda, and Dadima Cooler made with fresh mint, lime juice, sprite and pomegranate syrup.  

To accompany the liquid refreshments, guests can enjoy tasty bites like Goan Beef Cutlets, Rava Crusted Fish Fingers and Goan Chorizo Dumpling, among others, or whet their appetite further with delicious bites served from the award-winning restaurant Spice Studio.

The menu also includes India’s favourite spice-infused drinks such as the Narangi Elaichi, which consists of reduced fresh orange juice along with cardamom and honey, as well as the striking concoction of Kaffir Lime Leaves and Ginger, a herbal drink made with fresh kaffir lime leaves simmered with ginger and honey.

Courtyard is a speakeasy bar with a retro theme and an appealing air of relaxed elegance. With its arrangement of soft leather seating and an indoor bar that spill out to open-air seating around the majestic banyan trees in the famous courtyard outdoors, this evening venue embraces a sense of refinement, sophistication and tropical ease.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Sachin Shet, General Manager of Alila Diwa Goa, said, “The Courtyard Bar is aimed at offering our guests a flavour of Indian traditions which evokes a feeling of homecoming. The menu at the Courtyard Bar consists of uniquely created drinks that embrace local taste. Set in the warm surrounding of a traditional Indian courtyard, the bar offers a calming experience for our patrons.”

Antares Restaurant & Beach Club – Season 4.

I have followed Sarah Todd and her journey since she arrived here in Goa, from her culture shock of setting up a brand new beachside restaurant to where she is today.  Now in its fourth season, Antares Restaurant & Beach Club in Vagator, North Goa has been carrying the baton of making dining a truly unique experience ever since its inception with their highly skilled chef, Sarah Todd, of Master Chef Australia and now joining the team as their executive chef is Kaustubh Haldipur making it a must-visit destination in Goa.  Chef Kaustubh who hails from Goan heritage but travelled the world and acquired his unique skills over a decade brings his influence to this new menu by introducing modern Goan inspired dishes that are ever-evolving at Antares.  The all-new avatar and was inspired by Sarah’s travel around India and researching for the second restaurant in Mumbai with partner and friend from Antares, Ashish Dev Kapur, called Wine Rack.  Ashish, a renowned restaurateur in his own right, a partner in Antares, award-winning Whiskey Samba, now Wine Rack, The Wine Company and Yo China! bring his unique experience and know how to this fourth season.

Antares offers modern Australian cuisine with Asian and Indian influence giving a diversified and carefully yet creatively curated menu. Subtle condiments paired with unconventional dishes is the prowess of the Antares new which leaves one craving for more.  A combination of Barbecue Chicken and Pomegranate makes for Australian grilling techniques merged with tropical freshness a unique yet favorite dish at Antares. The menu is an assortment of small and large plates making it easy for customers to choose from with easy to share dishes such as Hummus, spiced toasted chickpeas, za’atar Turkish bread. The Croquettes with their simplistic presentation, the Pork Ribs, covered in a spiced, chipotle-tomato flavored barbecue sauce and Lamb Bao are but a few of the dishes on offer this season.

The Goan inspired menu has such delights as The Kale and Cranberry Salad, with walnuts, kokum dressing, gruyere is delicate and summery in every way yet with that fresh tanginess. Moving on to the Roasted Pumpkin with peanut coconut masala, with peanut chutney, fresh coriander, toasted peanuts, fresh coconut served on a soft tortilla, hopes to bring back memories of grandmothers cooking from south of India to life at Antares, perfectly balanced flavors with Sarah’s modern touch. The Chicken Cafreal with pomegranate, roasted cashew nuts served on soft tortilla envelopes you in Goa with every bite of tradition meets Antares. There is The Grilled Snapper with its orange beurre blanc, salt baked beetroot, rocket, couscous, perfectly flaky fish that just melts in the mouth offset with the orang beurre balances each bite.  Fresh Wok tossed Mud Crabs are a mush try for the seafood lovers. The Stuffed Pointed Gourd with tomato cashew sauce and poi or even the Zucchini & Lotus Root Xacuti offers up interesting Goan infused flavours for all the vegetarian. The Pork Vindaloo served with Sannas (traditional Goan steamed rice cakes) fresh coriander, julienne red chilli and garlic chips yet another new addition to the menu. Furthermore, the chef’s here have married Goa with Italy to bring you Goan Sausage Spaghetti with calamari. This is to mention by a few of the new Goan influences on the menu. 

Antares still, however, retains it past season favorites such as the Surf and Turf, beef fillet, tiger prawn, seasonal vegetables, red wine jus and Pulled Lamb with mint raita, pomegranate, chilli jam, soft tortilla and much much more. For that sweet tooth there is the Layers of Chocolate Orange, chocolate mousse, chocolate fudge cake, orange chiboust and as always there is Sarah’s Famous Master Chef Iced Nougat with candied orange, streusel. 

The only thing better than Antares food is the Antares cocktail selection, with its amazing quantity. The Spicy Mango Martini, a mixture of vodka, mango and green chilli, an old favorite on the menu. To the addition of Plum Berry Martini. The taste of plum came to life in this refreshing cocktail. It was an easy mix of galangal, lemongrass & gin which is mellowed by cranberry juice and was a delightful blend sweet and sour.  Antares is now truly an Austrailian star on the Goan coast.

For Reservation Contact – +917350011528/38

THURSDAYS AT SOL DE GOA RETURN!

From the ashes of the old came a brand new experience – Sol de Goa’s famous Thursdays has risen with a vengeance. The chic, revamped urban hotel in Candolim-Nerul, north Goa, recently launched SOLDAY, an exquisite hospitality experiment with entertainment, fine dining and exquisite beverages.

The epic weekday banger was resurrected in style with powerhouse performances by international DJs Sashanti and Sense8, with mixes from Victoria Bourke of the UK and France’s Adrian Atma, as performers set the vibe aflame. The exclusive guest list was welcomed warmly by executive director of Unomas Hospitality Rainer Stoll and the team at Sol de Goa.

A specially curated menu was launched for SOLDAYs featuring spirited taste adventures that offer modern twists to traditional flavours with farm fresh produce and high-quality ingredients. Mixologists brought in the works to create innovative cocktails that perfectly suited the classy ambience and vibe.

The resurrected SOLDAYs has already found favour with both, the hotel’s Thursday night regulars and new faces, as each week brings stellar music performances and global dining and mixology experiences amid Sol de Goa’s svelte, edgy ambiance.

Expanding this experience is urban chic dining set in the raw environs of rural Goa. Food and beverage at the revamped Sol de Goa is young, zesty, and effortlessly straddles the line between classic and innovative.

The unique vibe is sewn together by Maia Laifungbam and Sanchit Behl, a creative duo who led an acclaimed restaurant through its launch and subsequent success before turning their sights to new avenues at Sol de Goa.

The urban chic feel recreates itself on the palate as guests share delicious tapas-style plates and dip into innovative mains that leave one eager for more. Maia and Sanchit bring to the table a strong passion for innovation through their adventurous menu with modern twists to traditional tastes, fresh takes on evergreen classics and other interesting encounters of the culinary kind.

Special menus for Solday on Thursdays and Fun Dining Journeys on Tuesdays bring technical virtuosity, flavour experiences and beautifully plated food to the fore. Guests can expect small plate nibbles, hearty mains, creative desserts and unorthodox beverages that span the range from traditional tastes to innovative amalgamations.

The new Fun Dining Journeys on Tuesdays touches a chord with the culinary heritage of

India, bringing centuries-old recipes to life with new reflections and interpretations. Every week puts the focus on a different region in India highlighting history with a contemporary lens.

Sol de Goa blends the local with the global, bringing in the best Goan products including organic vegetables from nearby farms, aromatic Devi Coffee and Tea Trunk chai, Susegado craft beer and cheese from the Swiss Happy Cow fromagerie in Siolim.  

Talented mixologists create exquisite drinks to suit your personality and mood for the day and night. With the re-designed open kitchen, guests have the pleasure of watching their food and drink of choice be brought to life before their very eyes as specially curated tunes by DJs of international repute drop through the day.

The newly built 80-cover restaurant, bar, lounge and verandah; lush lawns and poolside deck are designed for eclectic events including destination weddings that stay imprinted on the mind.

Indulge in the Sol de Goa experience at:

Candolim-Nerul, Goa 403114

Call:  +91 95521 34385

TORO TORO BAGA: A CELEBRATION OF FOOD

Japanese food is becoming quite the hit in Goa. But sushi requires an appropriate amount of TLC to be considered good. In my hunt for interesting new places to eat at, I chanced upon Toro Toro, a new addition to the North Goa strip – that served sushi and more – set up along a pristine spot overlooking the Baga river

Brought into being by siblings Rohan and Praveena D’Souza with their restaurateur friends Hitesh and Twinkel Keswani, Toro Toro combines Mediterranean and tropical styles to create a space that animates through both food and ambience, the latter highlighted by live music on most evenings.

The bar immediately caught my attention. On first glance, you’d imagine a caravan parked amid the alfresco and upscale shack-style seating arrangement. But it is, in fact, the bar. The colour palette and décor at Toro Toro are bright, yet local – woven baskets form an arrangement on a wall, cured drift becomes a signboard, and painted bamboo forms pretty roof supports.

Behind the food is chef par excellence Rohan D’Souza who has been known as the ‘conductor of gourmet symphonies’. His extensive experience at the Taj Holiday Village Goa, with Etihad Airways and with culinary stalwarts including James Martin and Marco Pierre White has laid a strong foundation for delicious and innovative options here at Toro Toro.

The menu is wide ranging – heading from delightful sushi from the east and good quality Goan food to Lebanese dishes, Peruvian classics and Italian favourites. Each dish comes well plated and presented, creating perfect Instagram-worthy images amid the chic restaurant laid out across various levels.

The sushi rolls on offer are well made, particularly the spicy yellow fin tuna uramaki and jalapeño salmon flavoured with shichimi spices. A couple of interesting options here are the cottage cheese and tempura vegetables sushi.

It’s rare to find vegetarian sushi that impresses and Toro Toro certainly does. In one, fried pieces of paneer are paired with seasoned radish, cucumber, ginger, spring onion, asparagus and jalapeño mayo. The second is crispy tempura vegetables served with chilli mayo, pickled carrots and given an extra crunch with tempura snow flaked crumbs.

The small sharing plates featuring such delights as char-grilled chicken, lamb kofta with hummus, coriander crab meatballs, mushroom risotto croquettes and mezze platter are ideal when visiting with a group of friends. My favourite were the pulled pork bruschetta with slow-cooked pork, chorizo, refried beans and fresh mozzarella. I also loved the fish baked in a banana leaf, which received an additional tropical hit with its pineapple coconut salsa.

Toro Toro serves delightful homemade pasta and thin crust pizza as well as rice or noodles to go with the appetising range of Asian gravies and stir-fries. Their signature section has already received rave reviews by revisiting guests.

Being a seafood lover, I was particularly interested in their Goan and mud crabs sections. A wide variety of favourite local dishes make an appearance – prawn balchao, stuffed papad, rawa fried fish, squid masala and prawn or fish curry rice. The mud crabs are served by the size, from large to XXL, and wok tossed in a number of ways, including recheado, butter garlic and black pepper.

There’s no better way to finish up than with a serving of Toro Toro’s signature chocolate fondant. It’s baked to order and well worth the 20-minute wait, oozing gooey chocolate that teams classically well with a dollop of vanilla ice cream.

I have much more to discover at Toro Toro and will return often to indulge in their great food and quirky ambiance.

Reservations & Contact Details – 0788 767 4903

UNITING OVER FOOD: HYATT’S CULINARY CHALLENGE

The Hyatt Group has always focused on interactive experiences with the public, with an aim to bring people together while engaging with the brand. Recently, I was invited to be a judge at the semi-finals of the Hyatt Culinary Challenge – People Cooking For People at Grand Hyatt Goa in Bambolim.

It was such an honour for me to receive the invitation, seeing as it has been a dream of mine to judge a culinary show ever since I started diligently following the popular reality show Masterchef year after year.

This year was the fifth edition of the event, held on the gorgeous lawns of Grand Hyatt Goa with the beautiful bay in the background, where each participating business head was teamed with a child participant from the Bethesda Life Centre, a not-for-profit home that looks after the educational needs and cares for children of AIDS victims and commercial sex workers.

Eight participants rose to the challenge with the help of their ever-eager assistants to showcase their talents – vice president of operations at Casino Strike Dexter Pereira, allergist and clinical immunologist Anita Dudhane, managing director of Buzz Events Jerry Pinto, general manager of Eastbound Group John D’Souza, director of Nizanta Retail Ventures Lavanya Shet, director of Madame Rosa Distillery Mac Vaz, managing director of Vogue Luxury Weddings Shruti Tiwari, and COO of Snip Salons and Spas Sumeet Bhobe.

It was a tough decision as each dish looked beautiful, smelled delicious and tasted even more so. But I was helped along by my fellow judges – Fiesta owner Yellow Mehra, A Reverie owner and chef Aakritee Sinh and Grand Hyatt Goa’s executive chef David Ansted – and before long we had our winners.

It was a close tie, and the final decision rested on a neck-to-neck race between Jerry Pinto with his partner Reshma Bepari, and Lavanya Shet with her partner Anjali Talapathi. Lavanya’s Tiranga Pulav or Tricolour Rice was a riot of colour, aroma and taste, but Jerry won us over with the delicate flavours of his Camarões Portugueses.

This was a competition among the various Hyatt hotels in India, and all the winners and runners-up at the preliminary round are awarded a stay at various resorts across India. This means that Jerry Pinto will now travel to Hyderabad to participate in the Grand Finale in December this year.

We wish him the best of luck at the final round of this challenge, hoping he wins the amazing prize of a family holiday at an international destination of Hyatt. Overall, the entire event was well organised and offered a lovely day out for participants’ families and guests with engaging repartee and hosting by MC Ayesha Barretto, and a live band playing foot-tapping music through the day.

I wish the winner great inspiration and luck for his next round, and I only hope Grand Hyatt Goa will have me back next year as a judge once more.

PREMIUM EXPERIENCE AT DIVO CAFÉ & BAR, CALANGUTE

As the season comes around, Goa gets exciting with a flurry of new cafés, restaurants and bars. Sifting through to find the good ones takes time and it’s usually further afield, in places like Vagator and Morjim in north Goa, that I find gems most often. Recently, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a new hotspot right here in Calangute.

Divo Café & Bar lies on the main trunk of the Calangute-Baga stretch, offering easy connectivity with all the hotels and resorts in the area, and a short walk from the beach. Its ambiance and décor is chic, laid-back and presents the venture with a smooth transition from day-time café to lounge and bar.

The interiors by Rhea Kumar and illustrator Manuela Mendonca Gomes are minimalist but very well thought out – clean lines, carefully chosen colour palette and warm hues for furniture. The design concept has beautifully moulded a contemporary space that still manages to represent the charming heritage of Goa with art inspired by the renowned Mario Miranda.

This venture by the young and dynamic Trivesh Ajgaonkar and Shikar Kumar focuses on global fusion food, delectable café bites and excellent cocktails that pair perfectly with the melodic strains of live music and sophisticated evening shisha experience.

The duo have chosen well, as this style of café-bar that aims at high quality food and beverage, as well as entertainment, is exactly what tourists are looking for in the area. Even locals are keen on premium hotspots that consistently offer good quality ambience through the year.

We were warmly welcomed by Chef Manas Patra who took us through the menu which he painstakingly curated based on his in-depth knowledge of fare that is expected to be popular. The bar menu itself is a well thought out list, offering just the right amount of choice for guests. It has everything from Champagne to premium gins and tequilas, while expert mixologists are on hand to whip up cocktails according to your mood.

Divo Café & Bar has an interesting shots deal – which gets guests six shots for the price of five, a pretty enticing offer for groups of young people starting a night on the town. Smoothies, decadent shakes and a variety of teas and coffees bring the beverage menu to a close.

The kitchen brings out a tempting range of global fusion food that offers guests everything from healthy options to full-scale comfort food. Through our delightful evening meal we were presented with a taste of delicious cocktails, particularly the outstanding Feel The Jalapeno and its lovely spice hit, and the Berry Berry Mojito.

Our palates were teased with a roasted tomato and basil soup, followed by a watermelon and feta cheese salad, and the chef’s special seafood salad featuring squids, prawns and fish tossed in a vinaigrette dressing.  

To keep us going while they prepared our mains, the staff brought us Divo’s already popular cheese balls – crunchy, crumb-fried globs stuffed with melted cheese and pesto, and breaded mushrooms stuffed with cheese served with a delightful tartare sauce.

Mains included a cottage cheese steak – a grilled slab of fresh cottage cheese served with house salad and sautéed vegetables, and grilled chicken marinated in mustard sauce and served with sautéed vegetables.

A beautiful surprise arrived at the end – Oreo Madness, a decadent chocolate-filled dessert that took me straight back to my childhood. This alone was enough to make me ensure I return for more.

Divo Café & Bar promises an exciting food and beverage experience within a beautiful space, with flair and style, more than enough to keep patrons sweeping through their doors.

 

For Reservations Contact – 7447400831

One of India’s most celebrated Italian gourmet restaurant `DIVA’ by Chef Ritu Dalmia launches in Goa

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A dash of flavour, a pinch of creativity and ounces of passion for food! This is the recipe that created DIVA – a chain of restaurants, offering flavours from around the world. And now, Goa gets a taste of it!

Speaking on the Goa launch of DIVA at Andores Resort & Spa, Calangute, Goa, an excited and enthusiastic Chef Ritu Dalmia said, “I’m delighted to launch DIVA in Goa and very excited with the very good response it has received. Goa has always been my favourite destination, and now I have a legit reason to come to Goa and experience its business with DIVA. The support of the team is very encouraging and I would say so far so good. Our best is yet to come.”

The Goa signature flagship of DIVA – a premium Italian trattoria which boasts a 64-cover capacity; centrally located inside the property of Andores Resort & Spa, Calangute. Open throughout the season, it will offer lunch, apertivo and dinner experiences for guests with an authentic Italian menu curated for Goa, keeping in mind the State’s vibrant multi-cultural tastes, local flavors and ingredients.

A plush indoor seating with a vibrant outdoor terrace overlooks the resort’s pool perfectly complimenting an outdoor pizzeria in full view of the guests, so diners can enjoy a true Neapolitan slice whilst sitting beside the pool. A fully operational bar with a special menu of cocktails and a wide selection of wines and beer aims to enhance discerning tastes, for an experience that reinforces the award-winning brand philosophy of DIVA – that is, respecting and celebrating authentic food by combining clean, simple and fresh ingredients to create rich and unique dishes that promise to give your taste-buds an unforgettable experience.

There’s nothing in her lineage to explain why Ritu Dalmia is the brilliant chef and restaurateur that she is. And yet, there she stands, in her mid-40s, as one of India’s most celebrated chefs and co-owner of nine restaurants in Delhi, Milan and the UK; and a catering division that caters worldwide.

The story might well have gone some other way. Born in then-Calcutta to a Marwari business family, Dalmia joined the family stone business when she was just 16. Her work kept taking her to Italy, where she developed a liking for the local cuisine and learnt how to cook it proficiently. In 1993, at age 21, she set up Mezza Luna, a Mediterranean restaurant with an Italian accent, in Delhi’s Hauz Khas Village. The food was excellent, Mezza Luna’s fortunes weren’t. An undeterred Dalmia moved to London, where she opened Vama, an Indian fine dining restaurant. The restaurant was a big success and won rave reviews.

But Delhi beckoned, and in 2000, she came home to open her first DIVA. The fine dining restaurant was an immediate hit with food that Delhi had never encountered and a Wine Cellar that had no parallel. Dalmia never looked back, going on to open one winning restaurant after another and managing a staff of 200. With Cittamani, her new eatery in Milan, Dalmia has come full circle. She started her restaurateur life trying to introduce India to genuine Italian food; now she’s getting Italians to taste and enjoy the flavours of the Indian sub-continent. Cittamani’s menu is a fusion of Indian and Italian elements; with Dalmia cooking locally-sourced Italian ingredients with Indian techniques. Dalmia most recently inaugurated her second international venture Stella, at Linthwaite House, Lake District, UK.

Dalmia’s entrepreneurial spirit and contribution to the hospitality industry has been recognized by many institutions, including Forbes which put her on its W Power Trailblazers List in March 2017 and the Indian Federation for Culinary Association, which in 2016 recognized her as one of India’s 25 biggest Chefs. Last September, she was awarded the Ordine della Stella d’Italia, the highest civilian honour of Italy. Dalmia has hosted Italian Khana and Travelling DIVA on NDTV Good Times and authored three cookbooks, Italian Khaana, Travelling DIVA and DIVA Green: A Vegetarian Cookbook.

DIVA at Andores Resort and Spa, Tivai Vaddo, Calangute, Bardez, Goa – 403516.

http://www.divarestaurants.com 

Reservations: 0832 -6654400