Pranav Dhuri’s latest venture is a combination of scrumptious food, cheeky cocktails and the perfect dine out.
Situated bang opposite the Municipal Garden in Panjim, Pranav Dhuri’s, gastrobar, ‘Petisco’ boasts of a menu that marries local Goan ingredients and Mediterranean flavours, and gives one an exotic experience.
The interiors are elegant as well as cozy, in staggered patterns of green, wood and gold which favours a contemporary rustic theme. Guests can choose to sit upstairs and the lighting along with soft music playing in the background makes for a perfect ambience.
‘Petisco’ is to the Portuguese what ‘tapas’ is to the Spanish. Their menu is an amalgamation of Mediterranean flavours that feature small and large plates, cheekily crafted cocktails and a selection of beers. Their food philosophy involves applying modern cooking techniques to local Goan produce. Their flavours are influenced from along the Mediterranean coast and the Spanish colonies with a hint of modernity.
The simple menu has the famous rooster of Barcelos, which is a legendary symbol in Portugal and appears all over Goa. While the menu has a wide range of cocktails, mocktails, imported and domestic wines, as well as beer, Pranav, the ever gracious host, recommends two fancy sounding cocktails. The ‘Ginger Cosmo’, which is Vodka based cocktail sweetened with cranberry and balanced with a ginger spice was a smooth and mellow drink. The ‘Jungle Bird’ is a sweet and slightly bitter concoction flavoured with dark rum. Both the drinks lived up to their names and are a real treat to cocktail lovers.
When it comes to starters, Petisco has a wide selection of small plates. With a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian plates, one is spoilt for choice. Vegetarians can pick from dishes like ‘Cold Barley & Apple Salad’, ‘Assorted Mushroom’, and ‘Marinated Tomatoes and Buffalo Mozarella Salad’. Non Vegetarians have varied options of ‘Chicken and Cheddar Croquettes’, ‘Prawn a La Plancha’, ‘Chimichurri Chicken’, are some of the starters to name. The Assorted Mushrooms are a great option for the vegetarians. Served with marinated brie and croutes it’s a real palate pleaser. The Pan Fried Mackerel comes accompanied with Roasted Baby Potatoes; Triphal infused Beurre Blanc and a shaved fennel salad. The Pan Fried Mackerel went beautifully with the beurre blanc and was totally a melt in the mouth culinary delight. Fish lovers will relish this starter and declare this a winner amongst appetisers.
The main course menu offers larger plates such as ‘Potato Rosti’, ‘Herb & Nut crusted Polenta’, ‘Roast Chicken’ ‘Crispy Potato Sage Gnocchi’, to name a few. The Potato Rosti is paired along with a corn jalapeno and cheddar puree, fennel and a smoky chipotle salsa. The Potato Rosti is crisp while the smoky chipotle salsa served with it, is full of flavour and colour. The Roast Chicken plate has two large pieces roasted to perfection and is served with lyonnaise potato and curried jus, and a side serving of fried okra. The chicken is well cooked and the accompaniments make for a perfect culinary threesome. Both the main courses are fantastically plated and are a delight to both, vegetarians and non-vegetarians.
Apart from the small and large plates, ‘Petisco’, offers a limited dessert menu, consisting of one cocktail based dessert. The Yogurt Panna Cotta is served on a bed of mint and olive oil marinated orange, nut crumble and has a delicate orange tuile as a topper. The Banana Tart is a buttery soft tart, served with a Caramel and rum sauce, and Vanilla scented ice cream.
The cocktail based dessert aptly named as the Top Deck has Baileys, coconut rum, cream and chocolate – all put together to make a sinfully delicious palate pleaser. While the Yogurt Panna Cotta was the customary silky, smooth panna cotta, it was well balanced with the orange sauce and nut crumble while the orange tuile was delicate and just melted on one’s tongue.
The ultimate winner was the Banana Tart. Paired perfectly with the caramel and rum sauce, the buttery, flaky tart topped with sliced bananas and the ice cream, hits all the right spots and makes it a must-try for their guests here.
Everything about ‘Petisco’ is pleasing for gastronomic lovers and a treat for food photographers. Be it the small plates, the large plates, the varied cocktails and liquors, along with a limited but delightful dessert menu, it will definitely gratify people looking for a delightful culinary experience along with a beautiful ambience. Every dish is nicely plated and enough to satisfy the most voracious foodie.
Pranav is the perfect host and everything suggested by him is a real winner. He visits every table to get to know his guests and the staff is super helpful and courteous. ‘Petisco’ though a new kid on the block, will definitely be on top of the charts and a must visit place when in Panjim
