Review Monsoon Restaurant and Bar – Candolim Goa

Walking past Whispering Palms Hotel, heading for Candolim beach, nestled between a tailors and shops, you may well not spot Monsoon. Well that would be perfectly true, Monsoon has only been open one week.

 

 

VJ, the owner has recently returned back to his home terrain of Goa, after working in Leeds, UK, to operate this new venture.

So you could say, I had a blank canvass to work with. In a sense that as a new opening still in its infancy, I could forgive any minor errors, but at the same time see the potential.

So what pulled me to visiting Monsoon? A few days before MR R and I went on a potential review walk. My objective was to head off the main road and hit the side streets. If it hadn’t been for my persistence to keep walking, we would have never found Monsoon.

 

As soon as I saw Monsoon, I sensed this was a place for my next review. A stone’s throw from the beach, with a light, airy, uncluttered atmosphere even during the day. Right away, I loved the menu. There was just the right balance to cater for all tastes, without overwhelming you, and inexpensive in both food and drinks. What is the saying? Less is more. In addition no extra taxes or GST.

 I just knew I had to investigate further. Would my instincts be right?

DRINKS

60ml vodka Rupees 60/£0.66/€0.74/₽55.83/$0.84/₴24.43

Large Kingfisher Beer Rupees 100/£1.10/€1.23/₽92.79/$1.40/₴38.92

Diet coke Rupees 60/£0.66/€0.74/₽55.83/$0.84/₴24.43

STAFF & SERVICE

Kris was our waiter for the night from North India and what a sweet guy he was… and his first time in Goa, as a waiter. For a rookie, I was really impressed and could see great potential in Kris. He was attentive and friendly. Took and served both our drink and food orders professionally and promptly and also did a table check.

Once more, I was impressed that the owner, VJ took control of the floor, taking orders and serving food, along with his adorable, sister.

HYGIENE

The restaurant and bar area, immaculate, which one would expect after only one week.

Toilets, well if they keep to their already immaculate standard then perfect. Toilet duck freshener’s in the loo. Soap, toilet roll and extra plus hand towels.  

FOOD

Vegetable Do Pyaza Rupees 160/£1.77/€1.97/₽148.47/$2.24/₴62.27

Vegetable do pyaza is a famous north Indian recipe from Punjabi and Mughal cuisine, a common vegetarian menu in restaurants serving north Indian food. Prepared with mixed vegetables of potatoes, cauliflower, peas, carrot, beans, in a spicy onion and tomato based gravy. Kashimiri red chilli gives the red colour and adds taste to the dish. This is my second favourite curry. Did it disappoint? Oh no! Every mouthful was a total exposure of spice and at the same time flavour. Add to my much-loved, chunks of vegetables.

Vegetable Biryani Rupees 180/£1.77/€2.21/₽167.03/$2.52/₴70.06

Long grain basmati rice and an assorted vegetables in a spicy masala. Whole spices that gave a treat to all your senses. Need I say anymore?

FULL TANDOORI CHICKEN. Rupees 350/£3.87/€4.30/₽324.77/$4.89/₴136.22

What can I say? For the price marvellous, not only did it come with fries a PROPER salad too. Lettuce, red cabbage the works and the chicken, succulent and full of flavour. A 10/10 for the Tandoori King, MR R.

THE SCORES:

FIRST IMPRESSIONS 4/5

AMBIENCE 3/5

STAFF    4/5

SERVICE 4/5

HYGIENE Public areas 5/5 Toilets 5/5

FOOD 5/5 5/5 5/5

DRINKS 5/5

 

 

OVERALL SCORE 4.5/5 Red Hot chillies 

WOULD I GO AGAIN?

Yes. Mr R and I had a wonderful evening. If this was Monsoon’s first week then they are on the right track. My advice is to VJ, just keep as you are and you will have a thriving business.  See you very soon!

 

MONSOON RESTAURANT AND BAR CANDOLIM GOA