A unique restaurant, a true expression
of Goan warmth and amazing home cooked food.
With Goa attracting more and more
outside and I use restaurateurs – loosely, with their hiked prices, mediocre
food and service I had begun to reside myself to the fact that Goa had lost forever
its legendary Goan family hospitably.
Remember the time when we would eat
in a family garden. Mama would be busy in the family kitchen doing the best she
could with what little they had. Papa serving us tepid kings beer or honey bee
as that was all their bar included. Their small children played in the garden
amongst the tables and the teenagers, practiced their English while helping out
where they could. Leaving with satisfied
bellies, you would have a smile on your face and a warm heart for the humble
family whose home you just shared.
Well my friends, let me restore your
faith, the legend is alive and kicking in Candolim. Look no further than Monica’s
Restaurant.
This is a unique restaurant, a true expression
of Goan warmth and amazing home cooked food.
Everyone who climbs the rickety
stairs is greeted by the engaging smile of Melinda, sister to the owner Menetta
who slips causally in and out of the kitchen to talk with tables in-between
cooking. As the tables start to fill, Mama Monica arrives greeting the whole restaurant
with Papa in tow. They flit between tables chatting to customers, taking orders
and helping out in the kitchen.
Okeydokey, the décor to this rooftop
restaurant may be basic but spotlessly clean. However, in coming to Monica’s
you are not here for the décor you are here to sample their culinary
delights. A small menu but something for
every palate. I assure you, you will not be disappointed.
RED SNAPPER CHIPS AND SALAD RUPEES 500/£5.93/€6.86/₽437.42/$7.34
When ordering asked if you want the
fish on or off the bone, with or without a head. OMG it was amazing it is now officially
the best snapper I have ever had in Goa. It just fell off the bone and the
skin, just how I like it – crispy, and the addition of the cheese, wow! 10/10.
Added bonus a plate given to me on service for
my bones. That rates another 10/10 in my book.
KING FISH IN GARLIC BUTTER CHIPS AND SALAD RUPEES 350/£4.15/€4.80/₽306.40/$5.14
Tender fillets that just melt in
your mouth, and the garlic butter yum-my. On both dishes amazing homemade chips
cooked twice, no doubt about that. Par boiled and then fried. Well done Menetta
another 10/10 for the chips.
CHICKEN DOPYAZA RICE OR CHAPATT’S RUPEES 320/£3.79/€4.39/₽280.14/$4.70
Thank you, thank you, not only was
this the first authentic Dopyaza I have had in years, Yeah! I got chunks of
tenderly cooked chicken that MR R and I were not fighting over.
BEEF CHILLY WITH RICE OR CHAPATTI’S RUPEES 400/£4.74/€5.49/₽350.17/$5.87
In the past MR R and I have had many different
versions of chilly beef, in Goa and this was by far our best. The best beef
chilli I have had was in Malaysia, this dish reminded me of that, but as MR R
pointed out it also tasted like the pepper pot beef I cook at home. Either way
this dish was sublime.
Ordering one rice and one chapatti.
The rice was cooked to perfection, and may I say not a stingy portion. The
chapatti’s light and fluffy just how we like them.
THE SCORES:
FIRST IMPRESSIONS 4/5
AMBIENCE 5/5
STAFF 5/5
SERVICE 5/5
HYGIENE 5/5
FOOD 5/5 5/5
5/5 5/5
OVERALL
4.8 Red Hot chillies
WOULD I GO AGAIN?
After two visits,
Monica’s is now in my top three of frequent places to eat. I take my hat off to
these two amazing women. As MR R has said all through our restaurant career, ‘the
good restaurants are run by women.’
MONICA”S RESTAURANT
AND BAR
BEFORE KINGFISHER
VILLA DANDO CANDOLIM BARDEZ GOA
098221 42212
Hours 18:30 - 11:30
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