Sunset – Sinéad McManus

I’m always mesmerized by the South Goa Beaches. One, in particular, is the squeaky soft white sands of Utorda Beach and one of my favorite places to enjoy it is at Planet Hollywood Goa. So when the resort launched its latest grill Poseidon’s Cove, I knew I had to head there.

Entering through the resort’s low-rise architecture filled with dramatic sculptures and artwork kicks up a creative storm in the mind. Then, as you enter Poseidon’s Cove and watch the sea gently rolling onto the beach, there is a sense of calm and relaxation.

Located pretty much on the beach meant that opening a seaside grill was an obvious decision. But Planet Hollywood Goa twists this opportunity to its guests’ advantage. Nothing is better than sitting at a classy beachside shack taking in the breathtaking ocean views with your toes burying themselves in the sand.

But if the summer sun makes it too uncomfortable to sit outdoors, Poseidon’s Cove offers a relaxing indoor spot tucked behind open-air wood panels that allow you to enjoy the full extent of the beach ambiance from the shade.

I was warmly welcomed by Sundar Sudarshan, executive chef at Planet Hollywood Goa and a phenomenal one at that. He’s been regaling me with some of the most appetising food in the region ever since my first visit to the resort.

At Poseidon’s Cove, he’s created a menu that exemplifies seaside dining and Goa, placing focus on fresh seafood and produce. It’s a pretty flexible menu that allows guests to choose exactly how they want their meal and what they’d like accompanying it.

The grills work from the base – fresh seafood or meat of choice, and then a selection of marinades, starches, side salads and sauces or dips to choose from. It’s heartening to see quality local brown rice and multigrain poi on the menu of a five-star resort – an excellent way to hero Goa’s traditional yet healthy food.

The curries work similarly and also include a variety of fresh vegetables. Guests can even make their own sandwich or burger – choosing from a slew of freshly baked bread, hearty spreads and delectable cheeses.

The menu also includes pizza, salads, yum cha or dumplings served with green tea, sushi, soups and dessert. Poseidon’s Cove is one of the few places in Goa that serves a pretty authentic shabu shabu, a traditional Japanese hot pot featuring paper thin slices of meat and a variety of vegetables with dipping sauce. Here, it comes served with jasmine rice.

We arrived at the best time to soak in Poseidon’s Cove in all its glory. The sun was on its way down, lighting up the sky in a myriad colours. We sipped cocktails as Chef Sundar and his team guided us through the menu and helped us with our selections.

Dinner kicked off with a Watermelon Detox Salad, a medley of fresh melon, cucumber and onion shavings combined with olives and tossed in a lemon and ginger dressing. It was light, flavourful and helped kick off the stomach juices.

After the cold, came the hot – a steaming Pacific Seafood Soup, an aromatic concoction of Asian herbs that pulled in memories of Thailand and Indonesia. As we enjoyed the pleasant view of the now-twinkling stars and inky sea, a delicious appetiser platter was brought forward.

On it were gorgeous little health bombs that Poseidon’s Cove calls Kinwa Tikki – small pattis of quinoa, couscous, oats and beetroot cooked to perfection and served with herb chutney. Also on the platter were massive tandoori prawns from the grill and Murgh Chandi Kebabs – chicken chunks marinated in a delicious creamy cashew sauce, cooked in a clay oven till beautifully tender and garnished with silver leaf.

For mains, we were regaled with a fragrant Thai green curry and the restaurant’s fast-moving Poseidon’s Plank. The latter is a hearty board with a variety of fresh cuts including spiced chicken, lamb meatballs, grilled prawns and kingfish steak accompanied by herbed garlic butter and cheese dip, toasted focaccia bread, rainbow salad and pickles.

Stomachs full, it was hard to think of dessert but knowing Chef Sundar’s prowess, it would have been a mistake to say no. So we indulged in petit fours – a dessert platter of the day’s specials with baked yogurt, banoffee pie and rasmalai.

With the summer holidays setting in, Poseidon’s Cove is the perfect place to treat your loved ones to a well-deserved family meal in a superlative setting.