Review of Top Nosh – Candolim Goa

The other day, MR R came back from his walk looking very pleased with himself.

“I’ve found you a new restaurant to review. The menu looks great, lots of things you love to eat. Drinks the right price and on Wednesday night they have the Rajasthan folk dancers.”

How could I refuse?

The menu is wide-ranging offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. Indian, Chinese and Western food. With a few interesting dishes I have yet to see on other menus. 

STAFF and SERVICE

As soon as we entered, we were greeted with smiles. I just knew then MR R had made a good choice. Smiling staff says a happy staff, and I later realised why. The owners, Indihar and his wife Janaki, are a very lovely, welcoming couple. Indira works front of house, hosting and when the restaurant becomes busy, slips easily into the role of waiter. Janaki, works behind the bar with her beautiful smile.

Harish our waiter for the evening was charming. Took and served both our drink and food orders professionally and promptly and also did a table check, in addition a table check by Indira.

The actual surroundings are modern, with a feel of a continental, patio bistro.

The table was beautifully set, with cutlery, condiments, fresh linen table cloth and napkins as well as paper napkins. A nice touch with the flower.

DRINKS

 60ml vodka Rupees 70/£0.76/€0.87/₽64.87/$0.98/₴27.36

Large Kingfisher Beer Rupees 110/£1.18/€1.36/₽101.91/$1.54/₴43.00

Diet coke Rupees 60/£0.64/€0.74/₽55.59/$0.84/₴23.45

There was a slight error with the drinks, in respect to the menu said vodka was Rupees 60, however when the bill was delivered the vodka was priced at Rupees 70.

 HYGIENE

The restaurant and bar area, immaculate. The table setting and cleanliness excellent.

Toilets. Only one toilet and sadly I have to say due to there being a urinal in there it smelt badly. There was soap, toilet roll and paper napkins.  Passable, but certainly not the standard I expected compared to the restaurant.

FOOD

Fillet Steak: Rupees 380/£4.10/€4.73/₽352.12/$5.34/₴148.54

Garnished with fried tomato and mushrooms served with boiled vegetables and potatoes or chips.

I was disappointed at first to find that what I actually was given was a flattened steak, which wasn’t mentioned on the menu.  I asked for medium rare, however the outside was medium and the middle was medium rare. On a positive note, the steak was beautifully tender and succulent. The vegetables fresh and tasty, not overcooked slightly sautéed. Presentation, spot on.

Half Chicken Tandoori: Rupees 250/£2.68/€3.11/₽231.57/$3.51/₴98.05

A good portion of chicken that undoubtedly was a half chicken with breast, leg and thigh. Great fiery seasoning, which MR R loves. I would advise if you don’t like too much spice mention this when ordering. Cooked exactly to MR R requirements-well done. Well worth the money.

 

 

 

                                      THE SCORES:

                                             FIRST IMPRESSIONS 5/5

                                             AMBIENCE 5/5

STAFF    5/5

SERVICE 5/5

HYGIENE Public areas 5/5 Toilets 2.5/5

FOOD 5/5 5/5 

DRINKS 4/5

OVERALL SCORE 4.6/5 Red Hot chillies 

 

WOULD I GO AGAIN?

Most definitely

The highlight of the evening, had to be the Folk dancer. A great atmosphere and guest participation.

 

 

 

 

TOP NOSH

SOUZA VADDO, NEAR THE STONEHOUSE, CANDOLIM GOA

 

 

 

Lunchtime Review Sai Leela Restaurant – Calangute Goa

Sai Leela Restaurant is situated on the crazy, busy, main street in Calangute, opposite the Shantadurga Temple and bus stand.

The restaurant offers: Breakfast, snacks and main meals-veg and non veg.  As well as soft drinks and hot drinks. They also have a small selection of alcoholic drinks, at reasonable prices. The restaurant offers A/C and Non A/C, opening 24x7

On entering Sai Leela Restaurant, straightaway I said to MR R, “Does this remind you of the bus stations and market cafes, back when we were kids?”

He sniggered and said, “Actually it does.”

Then I recalled, back in my student days. I used to go to a café much the same as this in Derby, for breakfast with friends, before I started my shift at FHW shoe shop. Shabby, cheap, we called it. But we didn’t care about our surroundings. The most important thing was, they served an ample plate of excellent, inexpensive, food. Would Sai Leela Restaurant do the same?

STAFF & SERVICE

While studying the menu, MR R and I were approached by a smiling, young lady. Her English, seemed somewhat limited, as we asked when seated for a bottle of water. After a little sign language and our very limited Hindi, our request was understood. No sooner had she pulled the bottle from the fridge, a young man ran in and grabbed the bottle, apologizing for his absence. The young lady was the cleaner! Bless, I give her 5/5 for astuteness, in maintaining a customer.

The waiter was a very pleasant guy. God love him, he came back with two sparkling glasses for our water that he proudly poured, as if a fine vintage wine.

He gave us a few minutes to read the menu, then took our order repeating it back.

Food took fifteen minutes to arrive.

A table check was done half way through the meal.

HYGIENE

The non a/c section we sat in was clean. I did not get to see the A/C section as it was closed. The tables, menus, cutlery and plates all clean.  A hand wash area, a little scruffy but was passable at the back of the bar.

FOOD

Palak Paneer Rupees 180/£1.92/€2.19/₽164.86/$2.51/₴69.83

One of the best Palak Paneer, I have yet to have had in Goa.  Indian Palak (spinach) can be really bitter if not cooked right. So many times I have had this dish and it has been very thick and stodgy. The gravy sauce was so deliciously creamy and light and no scrimping on paneer.

Egg Masala Rupees 150/£1.60/€1.83/₽137.38/$2.09/₴58.19

It’s an egg in a gravy sauce, but trust me, I have had many egg masala’s but this one…OMG, and the gravy sauce had just the right amount of spice, just how I like it. Then right at the last minute…you get a kick of mint. Awesome.

Vegetable Biryani Rupees 120/£1.28/€1.46/₽109.90/$1.67/₴46.55

Perfectly cooked rice and vegetables, but the real treat is when you get to the middle of the dish and hit that curry sauce. More than enough for two.

Chapatti Rupees 15/£0.16/€0.18/₽13.73/$0.20/₴5.81

THE SCORES:

                                              FIRST IMPRESSIONS 3/5

AMBIENCE 1/5

STAFF    4/5

SERVICE 4/5

HYGIENE 3/5

FOOD 5/5 5/5 5/5

OVERALL SCORE 3.6/5 Red Hot chillies 

 

 

WOULD I GO AGAIN? Yes. Shree Sai Leela Restaurant, may be no frills, but certainly served an ample plate of excellent, inexpensive, food.

Sai Leela Restaurant

Baga Road, opposite the Shantadurga Temple and bus stand, Calangute, Goa