anjuna

My mid-week dinner dilemma was solved a few weeks ago, when I dropped in at Café Cotinga for their weekly Wednesday live music events and ended up staying for the better part of the night. The charming Café Cotinga at the Tamarind Hotel in Anjuna, have just revamped their food menu. The restaurant design is tasteful and contemporary with alfresco seating, an attractive bar, an indoor pool table, and a couple of giant birdcages you can dine in!

The new menu reflects the trend of fusion north Indian food by offering a globalized mix of tandoori meets continental. I tried the new ‘Butter Chicken Burger’; succulent pieces of tender, juicy butter chicken wrapped in home-baked buns with a refreshing salad on the side. Also the unique ‘Achari Chicken Pizza’, a curried chicken pizza that was just spicy enough for me to handle. For dessert, we dug in to the chocolate brownie with a soft mousse filling; and the mango cheesecake which was light and airy. Besides a well-rounded menu, the restaurant is also one of the few places where one can get quality food late at night and many local residents order home delivery.

Owned by the Arya family, from Delhi, the heritage property was designed by famed Goan green architects Gerard D’Cunha and Dean D’Cruz some years ago. Over the last two years, Café Cotinga has become a cultural hub for hosting different independent musicians every Wednesday at their ‘Free Bird’ nights. Some of the country’s top musicians have played here to packed crowds. International traveling bands from Balkan gypsies to mouth-harp troupes frequently perform here during the peak season. Local greats like Elvis Lobo, Anirban Halder and Ranjit Arapurakal, often jam here. Another hot favourite among local expats, the Wallfly film club brings together like-minded culture buffs here every Tuesday, when they screen handpicked art-house and indie cinema.

The new menu adds icing to the ol’ cake and makes Café Cotinga a must visit for north Indian food with a twist. It’s sort of a hidden gem where tourists from Delhi who stay at the hotel can meet fun-loving expats and local residents, which makes for a memorable holiday.

Back in the 60s, there was a jewel on the west coast of India, a palm-fringed paradise with sleepy village lanes and idyllic tranquillity. Anjuna was a gem of the hippie trail, a pocket of privacy that was home to some of the best beaches and the liveliness of flea markets that resulted from the original backpacker movement. The Shore Bar was one of those hangouts, where at sunset, they gathered. Till today, Anjuna bares signs of the past and is still well loved on the circuit.

Owners – Coral Leisures from Bangalore has been in the food industry for the last 8 years & have relaunched this popular hangout for the seasons to come. Showcasing their expertise, they will be serving a varied menu of English, Russian & Goan cuisine with 75 covered both on the lower & upper deck. Everyday breakfast, lunch & dinner will be served with a lavish & exotic ‘all inclusive’ brunch both on Sundays.

With the best music system, Dj’s from Iran, Russia & India will play to the beat of the drum with Deep & Tech House accompanied by an Electric Violinist. The Shore Bar was always known for its Full Moon & Half Moon Parties which will happen throughout the season. They will come to life from sunset onwards with dancers & performers from all over the world. Revellers can enjoy this great atmosphere dancing in the sand and later on in the evening, in the sound proof upper deck.

The Shore Bar on Anjuna beach is sure to remain permanently etched in your memory forever. The beautiful setting and great ambience, with its innovative design and creative structure, is an experience not to be missed.