Lush green landscapes, serene beaches and the rich aroma of seafood – Goa is a paradise for food enthusiasts. Bringing the authentic taste of Goa straight to our city, The Lodhi, Delhi is calling all Goan food lovers for an exclusive pop-up ‘Gourmet Goan Gusto’ in partnership with Cavatina , a modern restaurant in south Goa. The brainchild of Chef Avinash Martins, Cavatina presents local regional dishes combined with a touch of European love for modern palates. Chef Avinash Martins delves into a treasure trove of forgotten recipes from the Saraswat and Portuguese communities and presents them in reimagining, farm-to-table. A pioneering Goan festival awaits you at the Elan in The Lodhi hotel and this is not to be missed. That was on July 23, 2022.
I was invited to taste the special Goan feast and I couldn’t be more delighted. The 7-course meal covering Goa’s many different communities and food cultures is truly mesmerizing.
I started with passionate cocktails made with ‘forest juice’ – a feni-based concoction and they provided the perfect ‘kick’ to my culinary exploration. Coming to food, first I have Poder Poder Ponk Ponk, is a Portuguese-style bread that is now a staple of Goan cuisine. The freshly baked bread is full of delicious flavors and paired with some outstanding chili sauces, it’s just amazing.
Poder Poder Ponk Ponk
Next up is Betul Bisque – a beautifully plated mix of shrimp, mussels and mussels, decorated with coral-blue tulle. The shrimps were very tasty and succulent. Soul Prawns soaked in kokum and coconut sauce are also good but could be better with a stronger flavor. If you like squid, you must try Squid Caldeirada with its taste immediately.
Betul Bisque
I cleared my palate with Aam Ras Puri, which refreshed and stimulated my appetite. For the main course, I tried the Patra De Goa – seabass stuffed inside a banana leaf, and paired with minced pumpkin. It was a magical meal with loads of flavor radiating in every bite. Duck lovers are sure to enjoy the Duck Cabidel – cleverly paired with khichdi corn and a rich cabidel sauce.
Patra de Goa
Que Serra Seradurra provided the perfect sweet ending to my meal. The combination of velvety vanilla ice cream and crunchy cashew chikki is phenomenal. The Goan festival at Elan is an immersive festival where they place postcards with each meal explaining the food, its origins and its cultural influence on the Goan culinary circuit.
Try it before you miss it!
What: Gourmet Goan Gusto
Where: Elan, The Lodhi
When: Until July 23 (Lunch and Dinner)
Cost for the whole meal: 4000 INR
