Lush green landscapes, serene beaches and the invigorating aroma of seafood – Goa is a haven for foodies. Bringing the authentic taste of Goa straight to our city, The Lodhi, Delhi is calling all the food lovers of Goa for a special pop-up ‘Gourmet Goan Gusto’ in association with Cavatina, a contemporary restaurant in South Goa. The brainchild of Chef Avinash Martins, Cavatina presents the region’s local cuisine with a European love for the modern palate. Chef Avinash Martins digs deep into the treasure trove of forgotten cuisines of the Saraswat and Portuguese communities and presents them in a reimagined, farm-to-table format. An avante-garde of the same Goan feast awaits you at Lodhi Hotel Delaan and it is something that should not be missed. This is till 23 July 2022.
I was invited to taste the special feast of Goa and could not be more excited. The 7-course meal covering the different communities and food cultures of Goa was truly mesmerizing.
I started with an alcoholic cocktail infused with ‘Jungle Juice’ – a feni-based concoction and they gave the perfect ‘kick’ to my gastronomic journey. Coming to eat, before I had Podder Podder Ponk Ponk, which is a Portuguese-style roti, now a staple of Goan cuisine. The freshly-baked roti, filled with savory dishes and accompanied by some tempting chutneys, was heavenly.
Podder Podder Ponk Ponk
came next betul bisque – Beautifully plated amalgamation of prawns, mussels and clams adorned with blue coral tulle. The prawns were delicately juicy and delicious. sol prawns Dipped in a dressing of kokum and coconut was also good but could have been better with a more robust flavor. If you like squid, you must try it Squid Caldeirada Spot-on with its flavours.
betul bisque
i cleaned my palate Mango Ras Puri, which refreshed and whet my appetite even more. For the main course, I tried Patra de Goa Seabass is pressed inside a banana leaf, and paired with pumpkin cashew hash. It was a magical meal with myriad flavors in every bite. Duck lovers should head for the duck cabidele – cleverly paired with polenta and rich cabidele sauce.
Patra de Goa
Que Serra Seradurra Gave a perfect sweet ending to my meal. The combination of velvety vanilla cream and crunchy cashew chikki is perfect. The Goan Festival in Elan is an immersive celebration as they put postcards with each meal explaining the dish, its origins and its cultural impact on the food circuit of Goa.
Try it before you miss it!
What: Gourmet Goa Gusto
Where: Elan, Lodhi
When: Until July 23 (Lunch & Dinner)
Cost of Whole Meal: INR 4000