FIRST IMPRESSIONS
There is almost a
daring simplicity on entering Grills n Curries, from the soft lighting, casual
chit-chat amongst tables, to the aroma of chargrilled steak that fills the air,
that one fines oneself, suddenly transported from Goa to any European
contemporary city restaurant.
STAFF
A well-presented and
tidy uniform of orange shirt, black trousers and very ‘Convent garden’ black
apron. From what I could observe there were two food waiters and two drinks
waiters.
Be it drink or food
waiters they were articulate in English as they were with their humour.
SERVICE
Greeted as we
entered the restaurant. Said we had booked a table, without hesitation asked
our name, and then guided us to the table we had booked.
Although the restaurant
already had guests seated a waiter came to our table within 3 minutes. Welcomed
us to Grills n Curries, gave us a menu and asked if we would to order drinks.
Drinks served
quickly and efficiently by Raj the drinks waiter.
When ready to order
food a waiter was there promptly, taking our order and then repeated it back.
While waiting for
food Raj came and asked if we needed more drinks.
Food arrived 20
minutes after ordering.
Table check on food,
and enquiring if we needed any more drinks.
By 19:45 the
restaurant was full. People waiting on tables. Did this flummox the staff, oh no.
They kept their calm, cleaned the tables that had left and were ready to start
again.
I have to say I am
literally gobsmacked. For the first time
ever in Goa, I experienced team work.
When the going got tuff Jack the manager worked the tables. Drinks waiter’s took out food, waiters took
out drinks. Then something I thought I would never see here in Goa, the cashier
came out from his counting house and gave out bills. Kudos to you Jack. You have a
team with NO I in it.
HYGIENE
I can’t fault the
restaurant hygiene.
Toilets, again can’t
fault the cleanliness. However, in the ladies toilets no soap or paper towel.
FOOD
BACON CHICKEN KEBAB – Chicken in bacon cooked in an Indian
oven served with Bombay potatoes. Rupees
370/ £4.42/₽317.22/€5.18/$5.52
Was it nice? Yes the
chicken was succulent and the bacon was not chewy, it was really tasty. However
the potatoes were a little bit of a disaster. Two little slivers of potato that
had no taste or spice at all.
Half Tandoori chcken – Rupees
230/£2.75/₽197.19/€3.22/$3.43
Nothing special,
your bog standard Tandoori chicken. Did not WOW Mr R
Veg Makhani - Rupees 190/£2.27/₽162.90/€2.66/$2.83
Not impressed a lot
of cauliflower, green beans and some peas. Come on Goa, there is so much veg
out there and so cheap. Don’t say veg and not give me a selection of veg.
Roti Rupees 30/£0.04p/₽0.26/€0.004/$0.004
Bog standard roti,
anything above Rupees 20 is over priced.
THE SCORES:
FIRST IMPRESSIONS 5/5
AMBIENCE 5/5
STAFF 5/5
SERVICE 5/5
HYGIENE 4/5
FOOD 3/5 2.5/5
2/5 1/5
OVERALL SCORE 3.5 Red Hot chillies
WOULD I GO AGAIN?
Although the
food did not wow me, the staff and service did. I particularly enjoyed the
ambiance of a European feel, meeting new people and the vibe of people talking
and laughing, sharing their days experiences. Lots of singing and dancing to
the live entertainment. If you could bottle that it would be priceless. So, the
answer would be, yes I would go back and give Grills n Curries food one more
bash, and hope they could woo me with their food.
GRILLS N CURRIES
OPP GOODWIN HOTEL, ESCRIVO
VADDO, CANDOLIM, BARDEZ, GOA
PHONE for booking
–Jack +91 9822193410
