SPICE GOA, VEREM
After fruitfully satisfying the taste buds of Goans and tourists across the globe for over 19 years from their restaurant in Mapusa, Goa’s #BestSeafoodRestaurant, Spice Goa makes its way closer to the heart of the capital city in the picturesque village of Verem
Well known and celebrated seafood restaurant Spice Goa has now opened its new branch at Verem! Hailing from the village of Korgao, started and run by Atul and Aparna Shah, Spice Goa has made a distinctive mark in the hearts and souls of the people of Goa as well as tourists as far as seafood is concerned. Known as “Dr. Fish” for his expansive expertise with seafood delicacies, Atul along with his wife Aparna and their son Rohan, bring to you an extroverted array of delectable Goan seafood cuisine cooked with homemade masalas made by Aparna herself!
Set within the interiors of an old-style Goan house at Verem, Spice Goa which has rightfully earned the title of the ‘Best Seafood Restaurant’ at the Times Food Award and has also been the recipient of the ‘Certificate of Excellence’ from TripAdvisor, besides Business Goa Awards; is just the perfect restaurant if you yearn the flavours of a delicious Goan meal along with the added touch of archetypal Goan ambience.
Spice Goa, Verem has been designed like a emblematic Goan village with a Portuguese styled bar named ‘Shau Cho Bar’ which gives one the feeling of being at a local rustic ‘taverna’ redesigned to suit modern times where a variety of alcohol is served. Attached to this local styled bar is a private dining space which is called ‘Ranchikud’ that resembles the architecture of a mud house!
Having said that, coming to the culinary delights this restaurant has to offer, Spice Goa, Verem has an expansive food menu right from authentic Goan seafood starters to the mains (including Goan as well as Indian and Oriental cuisine) to their classic array of lip smacking desserts!
The magnificent choice of starters is nothing but a delightful treat to the taste buds of each person, specially Goans. Few of their ‘must try’ dishes include one of their signature starters which is the Mackeral (Bangde) Sukhe/Tikkle. This dish, predominantly governed by flavours of coarsely ground coconut has just the right flavour to tickle one’s sense of taste, taking one back to one’s childhood that reminds them of their grandmothers’ cooking! The Tisryo Sukhe cooked to perfection with flavours of coconut and a dash of kokum, is another starter one just cannot miss out on.
While, the Prawn Peri Peri bursts with flavours of the world famous African pepper sauce (piri piri) also known as hot sauce, is an absolute spicy-tangy delight, another signature dish that is particularly impressive is the Vade Sagothi Dry. Imagine the world famous Goan authentic Chicken Xacuti served atop rice flour puffs (Vade) that instantly melt in the mouth and dissipate into satisfaction. That is what this dish is all about! The prawns wrapped in banana leaves is a culinary invention at Spice Goa, where the prawns are marinated in masala that is hand grounded on the grinding stone and wrapped in banana leaves and fried to the ‘T’. All this dish does is leaves one craving for more!
On the Indian and Oriental front, Banjara Kebab and Bangkok Chicken are highly desirable and full of appetizing, aromatic flavours!
When it comes to the mains, the authentic Goan fish thali emerges supreme! This aesthetically pleasing thali includes rice, fresh fish curry, a slice of fried fish, tisryo (clams), veggie preparations, kokum kadi, salad and a sweet dish. While the fish thali is a prime favourite of every Goan, this one surely does justice to one’s expectations!
On the Indian side, the Chicken Bukhara topped with cheese cubes with some crispy Churchur Naan would be ideal choices to experience true gastronomic palatability.
What is further unique about Spice Goa is their genius drinks menu! While the mocktails menu include classics such as the citrus cooler with fizzy flavours of lime, mint, fresh mosambi and lemonade and the classic Masala Kokum Sherbet, the Cocktails deserve a special mention.
Rohan Shah, Atul and Aparna’s son, who has completed his Hotel Management degree from V.M Salgaocar Institute of Hotel Management and has interned at The Oberoi at Nariman Point is the man behind the cocktails! Having taken a bartending course with leading bartenders of the world, Rohan has managed to include some of the most creative combos in their cocktail menu. Some signature cocktails include ‘Goan Collins’ which is an explosive combination of gin infused with ginger juice, cucumber, lime and ginger ale, the ‘Kokum Rita’ which is tequila infused with kokum juice, lime and sea salt, the ‘Bromance’ which is scotch and spice syrup infused with tamarind puree and lemon and the ‘Jungle juice’ that is a fiery amalgamation of coconut Feni, lime, paan leaf, black pepper and lemonade.
To wrap up this journey of nothing but absolute lusciousness, the classic Serradura (Portuguese saw dust pudding) is the most attractive and idyllic choice of dessert to complete your meal!
If you are looking for an experience of true culinary contentment with the added touch of local Goan aestheticism, then Spice Goa, Verem is the place where you should head to!
