Goa, Souz-aaah Lobos!

Nestled in the silken sands of a beach popularly known as Calangute, this North Goan beach lays the perfect setting for an idyllic, laid back yet delicious dining experience called Souza Lobos. On a recent visit to this paradise, this particular joint was highly recommended by friends and locals alike along with Brittos, its other beach front apettite whetter counterpart.

Now being the Monsoon and thereby the off season in Goa, many are discouraged from visiting. However, as I recently found, this is probably the best time for Indians to be in Goa. Rock bottom room rates, easy availability of two and four wheeled self drive transport options, resturants welcoming customers all mean that its Goa served to you at half price! Yes the beaches might be off limits since it does get very very rough but the pouring rain can often be a sight to behold amidst the greenery of Goa. The best part of the rain is also the fact that it never lasts more than 10 minutes at a stretch. Now this is also that time of the year when most popular joints operate for restricted times instead of till late into the nights. Historically, Brittos as well as Souza Lobos have been shut through Monsoon. This year however, Lobos did stay open while Brittos is shut.

Saturday night and Lobos had a live performer belting out popular Goan as well as English hits and I must say, the tempo and atmosphere was quite eclectic. Coupled with the lapping of the waves of the Arabian sea, Souza Lobos is a definite must on the tour diary of any holidaying couple.

Needless to mention, like most Goan eateries, the alcohol on offer was elaborate - from the choicest of local Feni to Finlandia, Smirnoff Black, variety of Bacardi and the best of Scotland, it was all on offer. We decided to sample the local Coconut Feni and were recommended to try it with Limca! While it was quite a strong concoction, the Limca did help derive a very unique, full taste. Thoroughly enjoyable.

The food was very good. The fare included everything from Continental to Indian to authentic Goan. We sampled a little of everything and a clear thumbs up was awarded to the Grilled Prawns, Sorpotel, Pork Sausage fried rice and a sumptuous vegetarian preparation feigning to be a Mushroom Spinach pancake! That was to be the tastiest vegetarian preparation I was going to sample in Goa through my entire trip.

The service was a little indifferent but I also have to hand it to the waiters that the place was absolutely packed! Someone at the hotel told us that 10.30pm was the last order but orders and guests kept flowing till about 11.15pm and the last drinks were handed out at 11.45pm. In the peak seasons, we are told that this place knows no start time and you'll stay here so late that you'll never wake up before this place opens!

The interiors were very spartan but added to the beach shack feel that the place was trying to provide. At Rs. 400 a head including alcohol, I thought the place was quite the steal. However, another review of the place elsewhere on the internet deemed Souza Lobos to be an expensive option.

All said, I'd highly recommend Souza Lobos for the entire Goan-beach-shack-meal experience. Try and visit on a week night to soak in the best atmosphere. Reservations recommended - your hotel should be able to make the reservation for you.

Date: 27th June, 2008
Place: Calangute, Goa
Reviewed by: Harish Anand Thilakan

Must Order - Goan Fish Curry with Rice, Sorpotel, anything Prawn, Pork Sausage Fried Rice and Mushroom Spinach Pancake
Average Cost per person - Rs. 400-500 (including alcohol)

Address & Phone - Calangute Beach front, Goa
Driving Directions - Drive up to Calangute beach and walk along the beach! You cannot miss it.

Chennai, Bombay Blues in Chennai

The much hyped launch of Bombay Blue in Chennai took place yesterday. The occasion was by invite only and yours truly was one of the lucky few thanks mainly to one of my Mother's friends - Ms. Ranjana.

The restaurant has indeed managed a plum location. Though situated on the one way side of College Road, just before the Met Dept. office, it is an area bereft of quality dining options while still being in the centre of the city. The neighbouring Subba Rao Avenue and other residential areas would finally have an interesting meal option worth "walking in to".

The interiors are bright - typically Bombay Blue - with generous use of the house colour Blue, well hued with Yellows, Oranges and Reds. The wood is dark and used quite evenly. To go with the colors, the lighting too is quite bright and all in all, presented a happy picture.

A major irritant through the evening was the music - which restaurant today plays Air Supply of everything!!!!! After having lived through 40 mins of Russel Hitchcock and fellow artists, the damn CD just repeated itself! In addition to this was the freezing air conditioning with a direct blast on to the guest seats. The restaurant has preferred going in for individual split units which cool alright but aren't tactically and ergonomically, the most suited.

The staff were courteous but seemed a little jaded and under prepared for the launch. Quite a few items ordered were not served (one was forgotten, another had run out in the kitchen, etc) and over all, service was a tad slow. But then again, being the inaugural, I did have my hard hat on.I was willing to work with the boys :-)

The menu is quite elaborate. It has everything from:

* Bombay's famous road side chats to
* Pasta and Pizzas
* American Junk
* Mexican finger food
* Salads & Sandwiches and
* Decently long Sizzler list.

Being a group of ten (very hungry) people, we ordered quite a bit.

Appetizers:
* Cheese Amigos
* Bombay Blue falafel
* Corn & Cheese Balls
* Onion Rings
* Chicken & Mushroom Croquettes
* Chicken Fingers Remoulade
* Cheesy Fish Fingers
* Reshmi Tikka
* Puerto Rican Chicken Tikka (!!)
* Kodi Vepudu (An Andhra speciality fried chicken)

Yes! We did order every single item on the Non Veg side of the appetizer menu!

Entree / Main Course
* Hearty Meat Sizzler with the option of Noodles or Rice (seemed a favourite on every table)
* Paneer and Vegetable Shashlik
* Mutton Biriyani
* Goan Fish Curry with White rice (which we were told after the others had finished, was unavailable)
* Pav Bhaji (was mine, HAD to try it!)
* Three Cheese Pasta (Penne)

Most of the food was good. The sizzlers were both appetizing while the mutton biriyani might not find favour with the Chennai palate since its more the flavoured rice variety. The Pav Bhaji is highly recommended and is not your usual rich, overflowing with butter and spices style Bhaji.
All the appetizers except the onion rings were a treat.

The 2 most popular desserts on every table that evening were the Nut Fudge Crunch with Ice Cream (might have got the name wrong) and the Sizzling Brownie. I did try the latter and the brownie was quite nice - not too soft, slightly gooey (as it should be!).

I was quite impressed with the pricing, though we didn't need to pay! - it seems to have slotted itself somewhere in between fine dining and fast food and created a category which probably could be referred to as casual dining. An average meal per head here should cost Rs. 250 - 300/-. Alcohol is not served.

It's now left to see how Chennaiites lap up the fare from this latest addition to Chennai's growing eatery scene. One thing's for sure, the options are definitely opening up.

Bombay Blue is a brand of Blue Foods which has given Chennai Copper Chimney and Cream Centre till date. More details of their other brands are available on their website.

I was handed a menu at the time of leaving which purported to be a Home Delivery Menu. I just checked it to post a phone number and cannot believe that they have a menu without a number on it! They have numbers for all the other cities that Bombay Blue is present in but don't have Chennai in it! Relax - Home Delivery is not yet open for Chennai. I will post up the details once it is open. Scanned version of the menu coming soon.

Price per head- Rs. 300/-
Website - www.blue-foods.com
Reviewed by: Harish Anand Thilakan
Date: 20th June, 2008

Address & Phone - Bombay Blue, College Road, Chennai - 600006. Ph: NA
Driving Directions - Turn in to College Road from the traffic flow side (Good Shepherd school end) and travel down 200 metres. It falls on the left side, just after the left hand bend in the road after the school.