As tempting as it was to remain within the confines of our sprawling resort, my wife and I were certainly glad we walked down the beach in Goa. The meal we found was nothing short of spectacular.
Sitting on the western coast of India, we had a view of the Arabian Sea from our hotel room at the Park Hyatt Goa, now called the ITC Grand Goa Resort and Spa. But prices were exorbitant for food…and not just by Indian standards. And you know something else? It’s simply a shame to pay U.S. resort level pricing for food when you are in a “cheap” country with an excellent culinary tradition. That becomes a mind game of sorts, but frankly it seems almost criminal to spend $100 for dinner in India.
So Heidi and I ventured off the property and took a long stroll down the beach. It was a beautiful evening.
Presently, we came upon a little restaurant called Venus Beach Shack and decided to stop for dinner. Usually, pictures on menus are a big warning to stay away, but there were others enjoying the food and it looked pretty good.
Heidi wanted fish and asked what the catch of the day was. Mario, the restaurant owner (center below) said he had just caught a few fish earlier in the day and brought them over to the table so she could choose which one she wanted.
Heidi chose the pomfret. Now who knows whether it was truly caught a few hours earlier, but it certainly smelled fresh. I ordered chicken tikka, a dish I found difficult to deviate from while in India.
It took about an hour for the food arrive. We enjoyed the sunset as we waited.
Finally, the food arrived…and it was worth the wait! My chicken was superb and Heidi loved her fish (I sampled it and loved it too).
When our handwritten bill arrived it was for 1430 rupees, which is about $20. That included a couple Diet Cokes and a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice.
CONCLUSION
Sometimes I am too lazy to leave my resort or even hotel room. But culinary delights in India and beyond await if you are willing to venture out.
Probably made the owner happy by getting $20. In a resort in India, $100 means nothing.
This reminds of a time I stayed on a beach resort in Thailand with my partner, we were getting sick of the buffet style food at the resort and ventured down the beach to find a similar looking restaurant that you ate at. We had a delicious meal there, can’t remember, and enjoyed the sunset as you did. Sometimes it takes a little adventure and courage and try new things even if we want the creature comforts and relative hygiene of home to enhance your trip, which is why we travel in the first place.
I went to a similar establishment in Bali. I’m surprised you did not get sick.
I don’t remember you writing about India before. My wife and I have some strong interest and strong concerns. When was your trip, and will you be writing more about the trip?
Hi Christian,
See below. This was 2016.
https://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2019/05/14/india-maldives-trip-report/
I was in Goa with a friend about 7 years ago; we took the penthouse suite of a large Portuguese-style villa and never regretted it as we could walk to restaurants and go into town with a taxi.
Looks great. My last time in Goa was in 2006 over the holidays. It was a ghost town due to terrorist threats; all the British vacationers had canceled their plans. The Israelis were out in full force, though, partying until dawn! Dining on the beach in much of the developing world is always a good choice, providing of course you always ensure others are dining there and the food and hygiene look acceptable. I have had some seafood on the coast of Baja California that I still dream of.
I think pictures on a menu are great when the text is in a language you don’t understand. How about those meal recreations made of plastic/wax you see in restaurant windows in Hong Kong? I swear they have steam rising off them. Whoever makes those has amazing skill.
Goa is a really awesome place for a holiday. You shared the information about Goa food is nice and helpful. Beaches hotels are excellent. Thanks for posting something worth reading. Great work.
Your comment “it seems almost criminal to spend $100 for dinner in India” is funny. I hope you do know there are high end restaurants in the country which would not seem out of place in New York or London!
I do, that was really not my point. In fact, I spent that at an Italian restaurant earlier in the trip. But the best food in India often runs $1-2 for an entire meal. It is just too difficult to justify.