Review Ryan’z Bar Candolim Goa

Have you heard the phrase, simple is best? Well this is perfectly true of Ryan’z Bar. Situated next to Fortune hotel, Ryan’z bar was a gem of a find. The atmosphere was a buzz of laughter and chatter from visibly hotel and restaurant staff enjoying a Friday night drink and meal after work, as well as a few of middle age Indian couples taking pleasure in night of good food and company.

The menu caters for all types of palates, offering Indian, Chinese and western food. There was nothing I found on the menu to be excessively overpriced. In fact cheaper than most restaurants and certainly cheaper than the beach shacks. Drinks too, very cheap.

DRINKS

60ml vodka Rupees 50/£0.52/€0.59/₽44.57/$0.68/₴19.08

Large Kingfisher Beer Rupees 110/£1.14/€1.29/₽98.05/$1.50/₴41.98

Diet coke Rupees 50/£0.52/€0.59/₽44.57/$0.68/₴19.08

For years now I have walked past every day, smelling the aromas wafting from the kitchen, which always get my taste buds salivating. It was for this reason, Ryan’z bar has been on my- To review list for quite some time now. The minute I entered I knew that I liked this place. The ambience, and the friendly staff had me right there. Not to mention no extra taxes and GST.

STAFF

MR and I were received with smiles and a gracious welcome by Prem. Passing small conversation about seeing us walk past every day, how long we had been in Goa and how pleased he was we had finally decided to eat there.  

All waiters were well-presented, attentive and polite. Chefs looked clean and smart in whites.  

SERVICE

No sooner had we sat, than Prem gave us a menu and a drinks order was taken.

Drinks were served quickly and efficiently.

On looking at the menu there were so many nice things, MR R and I were spoilt for choice.

Finally, when ready to order food, Prem was there promptly.

 Having repeated our order, asked if we would like more drinks.

There was an interval when the power went off for 10 minutes, but a candle was quickly place on the table. However, this did not hinder the arrival of food, arriving 30 minutes after ordering, then asking if we would like more drinks.

Table check on food, and once more asking if we needed drinks.

HYGIENE

The restaurant and bar area, very clean, neat and tidy.

Toilet were clean, with toilet paper, the hand washing area soap and hand towels. There is only one toilet, so when busy could cause a congestion.

 

 

FOOD

 

VEG KOLHAURI: Rupees 170/£1.77/€2.07/₽151.54/$2.31/₴64.88

This is one of my favourite curries. Lordy lord, astounding! Bursting with flavour and heat, and not a wishy-washy sauce. It was thick more like a puree that even so was pleasing on the palate. By the end of the meal, it was a fight to see who was going to wipe out the dish first, me or Mr R. Needless to say, I won!

FULL TANDOORI CHICKEN. Rupees 390/£4.06/€4.60/₽347.66/$5.30/₴148.85

When the plate was placed down in front of us the first thing Mr R and I said was, “Wow!” In all my years of having full tandoori chicken I have only ever had one that was a full chicken. 2 legs and two breasts. Trying my first piece, I have to say this is the best tandoori chicken I have ever tasted. Cooked just how we like it, burnt on the outside juicy and succulent on the inside and oozing with spice. A magnificent portion size. Well done!

ROTI: Rupees 20 /£0.20/€0.23/₽17.82/$0.27/₴7.63

 

THE SCORES:

FIRST IMPRESSIONS 3/5

AMBIENCE 4/5

STAFF    5/5

SERVICE 5/5

HYGIENE Public areas 4/5 Toilets 4/5

FOOD 5/5 5/5 

DRINKS 5/5

OVERALL SCORE 4.4/5 Red Hot chillies 

WOULD I GO AGAIN?

Oh yes! Mr R is already planning our next visit on the calendar.

Jo’s Aubergine Tofu tomato and basil Toasties

A scrummy supper.

You will need 2 slices of aubergine already fried for each bread roll/burger bun or poee (Goan Bread)

A slice of lightly fried tofu per bun.

A slice of tomato, basil leaf salt and black pepper per bun.

Cut bun in half and on the bottom layer as follows:

Slice of aubergine, slice of tofu, slice of tomato, basil leaf, salt and pepper. Top with another slice of aubergine.  

Put into a toasty machine until crisp and brown.

Serve with tortilla chips and salsa.

If you want to be really naughty! Then on top of the last slice of aubergine grate some cheese.

I also swap the tofu for paneer cheese.

 

5/5 for Amazon India.

Earlier this evening I received my Amazon order of 2 BOXES of 100 Ty-phoo Classic Assam Teabags. Or so I thought.

The first thing I noticed was, that the box had been opened.  Over the Amazon tape was now sticky tape.  Inside the package, I found one box intact, but one box had been ripped open and three packets of 25 bags (75 teabags) MISSING.

So where were they taken? And who has them?

Went straight onto Amazon India chat and spoke with a really nice guy, Harish. Within minutes he had refunded my order.

Jo’s Chicken mint & lemon Patties Serves 2

Jo’s Chicken mint & lemon Patties Serves 2

Quick and easy to make and oh so yummy. 

150g Chicken mince

1 small onion

1 small clove garlic

3 tbsp. mint

Pinch of chilli flakes

Juice of ½ a lemon (this is the small Indian lemons)

Salt and pepper

Put onion, mint and garlic into a processor and chop finely.

In a bowl combine the chicken mince with the onion mixture, chilli flakes, lemon juice and salt and pepper.

Divide the mixture into small patties. Put in the fridge for a couple of hours (Min of 30 mins if in a hurry.)

Lightly grease a riveted grill pan or frying pan and fry until brown on either side.

Serve.

I serve with homemade coleslaw and mixed vegetable rice.

I also braise them in my slow cooker. Place them on top of potatoes so not in liquid.

Public Transport inexpensively around Malaysia

The best way to explore Malaysia is traveling by bus. It is not only cheap, and comfortable but efficient with 160 bus companies covering 6k bus routes, makes it a desirable experiences for travellers.

On Monday we took 2 metro trains, a 169km bus journey, ferry and taxi. Cost for two people: RM160/£19.52/Rupees1,810.45/$27.34/€22.19/₴714.82/₽1,678.55

We left our hotel at 07:00 and arrived at Nipah Bay Villa, Pangkor Island at 13:15

Metro from Pasnar Seni – KL Sentral  2 tickets RM2.60/£0.47/Rupees44.15/$0.66/€0.54/₴17.43/₽40.94

 

 

 

 

Metro from KL Sentral – TBS (Bandar Taslk Salatan) 2 tickets RM4.60/£0.84/Rupees78.12/$1.17/€0.95/₴30.84/₽72.43

Bus TBS-Lumut 4 hours/169km 2 tickets RM55.40/£10.14/Rupees940.89/$14.21/€11.54

/₴371.49/₽872.34

 

Ferry Lumut – Pangkor 2 tickets RETURN RM28/£5.12/Rupees475.54/$7.18/€5.83 ₴187.75/₽440.89

 

Taxi from harbor to Nipah Bay Villa, RM16/£2.93/Rupees271.73/$4.10/€3.34/

₴107.29/₽251.94

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheap, easy and hassle free on Kuala Lumpur’s metro system.

Of course the best way to sightsee in the city is on foot. However, if you are not up for walking then KL’s efficient light rail transit, commuter rail, and monorail systems will get you to around the most part of Kuala Lumpur.

 

 

 

 

The LRT (Light Rail Transit) runs from 06:00-24:00 Trains run every 3-15 minutes

Fares starting at RM1/£0.18p/Rupees 17/€0.20/$0.25/₴6.70/₽15.74 per person for a single journey.

KL Monorail runs from 06:00-24:00 Trains run every 12 minutes in off peak times. Fares starting at RM1.20/£0.22/Rupees 20/€0.30/$0.25/₴8.04/₽18.90 per person for a single journey.

MRT SBK Line Connects several neighborhoods within the city, by 31 stations. Trains run from 06:00-24:00 on weekend 23:00. Fares starting at RM1.20/£0.22/Rupees 20/€0.30/$0.25/₴8.04/₽18.90 per person for a single journey.

HOW TO PAY: It is very easy. There are token machines at the entrance to all the stations. The dispensing machines are operated by a touch screen, with easy to follow directions. They also give change. If you have any problems there is always an attendant in a kiosk who are more than willing to help. (All staff speak English)

You can also get a map at any station kiosk, to help plan your routes.

If you think you will be using public transport throughout your stay then you may consider buying a KL Travel Pass. 2-days unlimited rides on LRT, MRT and KL Monorail lines.

Passes can be purchased @

KLIA Platform, Level 1 

Gateway@KLIA2, Level 2 

Departure Hall, Level 1, KL Sentral

For more information go to myrapid.com

Jo’s Mushroom Xacuti on Toast.

This is not a traditional recipe for Mushroom Xacuti, this is just something I tried one lunchtime and loved it.  This is a really quick, easy and most of all yummy lunch.

SEVERS 2

2 TBSP Olive oil    1 spring onion sliced (INC GREEN STALK)       150g mushrooms thickly sliced      1-1/2 TBSP Goan Xacuti Masala   2 packets coconut powder      1 cup water    2-3TBSP chopped fresh coriander    Sea salt and ground black pepper to season. Three bread rolls cut into half (I use the bow shaped Goan bread Katriche pao.)    lettuce     grated fresh carrot    sliced tomato

Heat the oil in a frying pan and then add the spring onions and the mushroom. Fry for 3-4 minutes.

Add the masala and fry for another 3-4 mins then add the coconut powder and the cup of water.

Bring to the boil and then turn down the heat to simmer until the coconut milk has reduced and becoming thicker.

While the mushrooms are thickening and reducing, toast the bread lightly. Then put three on each plate, topped with the lettuce, the carrot and finally the tomato.

Just before serving add the coriander and mix in well, season to taste.

Divide the mixture over the top of the open salad rolls.

Now tuck in and enjoy.