Karaoke with Bonny.

A good night of singing and dancing. Wednesday Night at Ruffles Bar Candolim Goa.

Happy Christmas

Live music in Candolim Goa

If you are looking for a great night of music and some dancing then check out Croydon D’Souza one of Goa’s talented musicians.

Mon – Casino Deltin Jack

Tue – Santana Candolim

Wed – Cashew Tree Candolim

Thur – Mango Grove

Fri - Jambalaya

Sat - Calamari

Ruffles Candolim. 

Have a fun night at Friday karaoke at Ruffles Candolim. 

The star of the night the gifted voice of Namomi wife of singer T Total music from Birmingham. 

Review of the German Bakery Candolim Goa

A diamond in the rough. Nestled between a barbers and a tattooist, is the last place you would expect to find is a terrific little café.

There is something quite unique about the German Bakery in Candolim. Maybe it’s the aroma of freshly ground coffee or the hint in the air of delicious bread and pastries, it does not matter because be it breakfast, lunch or a quick snack this is the place to head for.

Their easy on the pocket menu, offers all their products. Amazing filled rolls that you will struggle to find elsewhere. Delicious cakes, croissants, pizza, pasties and cookies to name a few are all freshly baked on that day.

You don’t have to eat in they offer take out as well.

 

In monsoon, I count the days until this bakery opens, as they have the best freshly baked brown loaves in Goa. Twice a week I buy two brown loaves to last me the week. When I get home I cut them in half and freeze them. The night before I take out half and in the morning it is as fresh as if I have just brought it fresh.

 

Their homemade yak cheese is to die for. At 250 Rupees for 200g so worth it

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The staff are lovely and friendly, well they are from the Himalayas need I say any more? These folks know good food and good service.

 

 

 

 

 

 

OVERALL SCORE  5/5 Red Hot chillies 

 

Jo’s Aubergine Burgers

Jo’s Aubergine Burgers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are looking for a quick and easy, tasty supper then my aubergine burgers will hit the spot.

Serves 2

You will need:

4 medium thick slices of aubergine

5 Tbsp. Olive oil

1 heaped teaspoon garlic puree

4 bread baps or Goan poah

Mayonnaise

Lettuce

8 slices of tomato

Sweet onion sauce or vinaigrette or balsamantic vinegar

Sea salt and fresh ground pepper

 

Combine the oil and garlic puree.

Lightly grease a griddle pan with a pastry brush with a little of the oil.

While heating up, brush one side each of the aubergine slices and place on the griddle.

While cooking brush the top side of the aubergines and then turn.

Keep doing this until the aubergine is soft, and slightly chargrilled.

Cut the bread baps in half and spread all four pieces with mayonnaise.

On one half add lettuce then top with a slice of aubergine and two tomato slices. Add sauce of your liking and grin over the top sea salt and ground black pepper.

Repeat on other three bread baps.

Friday fiasco at Karltons – Horizon Grill Candolim Goa

This is perhaps the briefest review I have ever written.

A few days before, I did my customary investigation on the restaurant. The menu had some interesting dishes and the prices respectable. I really liked the contemporary surroundings, believing this to have prospect for a great review.

On arrival, I was surprised to see that there was only three tables eating. After fifteen minutes I realised why.

STAFF

There seemed to be a lot of staff milling around the bar area when we arrived, yet still as we looked around no one came, hence we seated ourselves.

A waiter came to our table, even though we acknowledged him, without a word he placed menus down. Still no communication, he stood there looking at us. Feeling slightly uncomfortable, MR R ordered our drinks.

The drinks did arrive quickly by another pokerfaced waiter.

After studying the menu, we asked a passing waiter if we could order, to which he surly said he would get someone. Another waiter arrived coldly asking us what was the problem?  Expressing we wanted to order, he walked off and the original waiter came back with a curt, “What!”

It only took one look at MR R to see, like me he wasn’t happy. Politely MR R said he was going to order, but due to the inhospitality of service we had received so far there was no way he now wanted to eat here, and asked for the bill. Without any reaction the waiter walked off.  We paid our bill and left.

A word of advice for Karltons

Your surroundings are great. The menu looked mouth-watering. I was so looking forward to trying so many dishes. Your ruin will be your staff. For goodness sakes this is Goa where for many years it has been known for its friendly hospitality. Tourists come on holiday to feel relaxed and have fun. Part of the holiday for Europeans is interacting with staff. All I saw at Karltons was robots.  

WOULD I GO AGAIN? No

0/0 Red Hot chillies 

Review of my recent visit to Travelodge Alfreton UK

Excellent value for money, I paid £39 per night (Rupees 86/ €44.28/ ₽3078/ $51.96

Ideally located just a short walk or drive from to the town centre of Alfreton were you can find pubs, restaurants, supermarkets and high street stores. It is also a great location for touring the local tourist attractions of the Derbyshire Dales and nearby cities of Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield.

During a two week vacation I stayed at the Travelodge Alfreton twice. Our first stay was for one night, the second stay for two nights.

STAFF & SERVICE

On both occasions we found the staff to be very helpful and friendly. Check-in was done quickly and efficiently.

ROOMS

Our room on both occasion was a double. Ample sized fresh, sparkling room. I really liked that the desk cum dressing table had four power points that allowed me to charge my phone, watch the TV and still use the kettle. I was able to use the hairdryer while looking in the mirror. In previous Travelodge’s I have found that the power point is the other side of the room from the mirror.

 

 

Even though it was October/ November on our visit, the heating in the room was more than satisfactory, in fact we turned the heating off as we found it too hot at times.

There was a TV with free view along with free WIFI 30 minutes FREE or £3 for 24 hours.

 

I certainly had a good night’s sleep.  The king sized bed was very comfy, added to that the sheets and duvet were fresh and well laundered, the duvet so snuggly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tea and coffee making facilities, which were replenished everyday by housekeeping.

Hair dryer and iron available on request.

 

 

The bathroom was spotlessly clean. A set of fresh fluffy white towels. Shampoo and shower gel in dispensers.

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER FACITIES

There is a Little Chef and Burger King on site, also at reception they have on hand take out menus for delivery to the lodge.

The Travelodge car park has 108 spaces free of charge, available on a first-come first-served basis.

THE SCORES:

FIRST IMPRESSIONS 5/5

AMBIENCE 5/5

STAFF    5/5

SERVICE 5/5

HYGIENE   5/5 

OVERALL STAY 5/5

OVERALL SCORE  5/5 Red Hot chillies 

WOULD I GO AGAIN?

Without doubt I would.  

CONTACT

Old Swanwick, Colliery Road,
Alfreton, DE55 1HJ, United Kingdom
Sat nav postcode: DE55 1HJ
Tel: 08719 846119

   BOOKINGS https://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/2/Alfreton-hotel?checkin=03/09/2013

 

 

 

 

Review Appi’s Shack Candolim Goa

So you have booked your holiday to Goa, and now all you can think about is the moment you get onto the beach. In an ideal world you will have a cool breeze on your face. The sky would be cloudless and the sun shining. As you sit sipping a cold iced beer, or tropical juice, all you can hear is the swish from the turning waves on the beach that stretches as far as the eye can see. I know it sounds unreal, this only happens in your dreams, but your dream could become reality at Appi’s Shack.

Situated next to the life-guard station, Appi Shack is one of the last three shacks on Candolim beach heading towards Calangute, where Celina Pereira and her staff will make your more than welcome with her long-established Goan hospitality.

This delightfully, spick-and-span, shack not only offers you tranquillity, good service as well as home-cooked food by Celina herself, who still has time between cooking to come and talk to her guests.  

 

The menu offers a variety of dishes to suit any taste:

Toasties/Sandwiches   salads & soups   Goan Food   Indian Curries    Vegetarian   Chinese    pasta Tandoori and seafood to name a few.

Other facilities: Clean toilets, shower and free Wi-Fi

 

Therefore, if you are wanting breakfast, lunch or dinner, or just to relax with a cool beer head for Appi’s Shack for that not forgotten famous Goan warmth.

 THE SCORES:

FIRST IMPRESSIONS 5/5

AMBIENCE 5/5

STAFF    5/5

SERVICE 5/5

HYGIENE   5/5  

FOOD  4/5  This score is no reflection on the food, just that as all beach shacks I feel that the prices are higher than a restaurant on the street of the same standard.

 
OVERALL SCORE  4/8 Red Hot chillies 
 WOULD I GO AGAIN
Certainly I would. This is my regular beach shack three times a week.

 

 

 

Cyclone off the coast of Kerala, caused major problems at high tide today on the beaches at Candolim down to Baga Goa.