Thalassa, for authentic Greek-Mediterranean food.
While the Thalassa at Campal, Panjim will not have the vibe of the water front or water view of its counterparts, it is a good option, none the less, to have a taste of Greek food in the city. The original Greek restaurant opened in 2006 initially at Vagatorby Mariketty Grana from Corfu. A smaller restaurant as a branch opened in the capital city around 2019 just prior to the pandemic. The setting of the city restaurant is simple, quaint and tasteful. The blue and white décor is soothing and reminds one of the calmness of the sea. The menu is just nice for choice and portion size is good enough for the price.
It does have the option of a small indoor conditioned sitting along with a curb sort of arrangement along the promenade of the main road going to Miramar. The choice on the menu includes meats and seafood and there are options for the vegetarians as well. The seafood salad, Pork Gyrosand the pasta Risotto that we did order was as good as it gets. The Sangrias are served huge so if you are not used to having large drinks, go easy if there is an offer on it.
Since it is a specialty restaurant, do not go there expecting the typical Goan, Mughlai or Chinese fare as an add-on. Though it is not a local Goan fare, it does come recommended by one if one wishes a different taste palette when in Goa.
Frida Cantina, for a taste of tacos and all plates Mexican.
Frida Cantina pays ode to its Mexican roots and nothing can deny that going by the huge portrait of Frida Kahlo hanging in there. Its menu is well defined with distinct categories printed on different flyer pages that include drinks, bites and nibbles, small plates, mains and dessert. And yes, it does cover beef and pork dishes too.
It has an outdoor seating area which is cosy at night with all the lights overhead. However, there are garbage bins in its close vicinity which can be quite a no-no. Indoors, there is a bar area and tables with its kitchen on the ground floor. The main area is upstairs which is quite tastefully done with the tables are well spaced out.
The menu is limited but covers enough for one to have a good choice of typical Mexican fare. The signature cocktails are limited but good. Appetisers as in Bites and Nibbles or the Small Plates section covers nachos and tacos (of course), but for a change we ordered the Ceviche which was a cold fish salad. Main course of Black beans and Tenderloin was just well done and nice. The portions are sufficient for one person. The food and service are great.
Frida Cantina does offer a Sunday brunch from noon to 4p.m. every Sunday, except it’s A la Carte and for the price, brunch elsewhere makes more sense.
Price wise it is on a higher side but worth it. You get to take a postcard as a memento when settling the bill. I think after one visit, another one is tempting enough. The best part was the Desserts with its churros, served with a chocolate and a caramel dip. Six churros are a generous serve per plate. This is one thing that gets its clients back as I saw people coming in only to pack the churros as a take-away.
Schandis, for a taste of Persian cuisine.
Schandis (I think it means kebab-making) is located along the Miramar-Dona Paula road and is attached to a Seaside Hotel yet independent of it as a restaurant. Thankfully there is ample parking just near the entrance. Stepping in, one has the option to sit at the back of the restaurant that faces the Miramar beach. Though the seashore is just steps away, one cannot really see the waters seated down. But none the less it adds to the vibe of the place. The décor is not much and looks almost dated but the restaurant makes up for it in the quality of food served, which really tasted wholesome to me, a first timer.
Us being tee to tallers I cannot say much about the hot drinks served, but I can tell you about the Persian lassi which I ordered. It is a tad more sour but nice if you like the taste of buttermilk. The freshly prepared flavoured teas are soothing as ever, given the fact that teas form a major part of the Persian food culture. For lunch, we ordered the Olivieh salad (which I really liked, it was rich and nothing like I had tasted before in terms of a salad) and Chicken Kubideh (kebab). The portions are sufficient for a person. I heard that their ice-cream is super but opted for the baklava instead for a change. It did not disappoint. The plus factor for Schandis is that there are good options for vegetarians and the aubergine (brinjal) dishes are out of this world.
There is a nice low seating area in the center of the restaurant, complete with hookahs if one wants to really be transported to Iran for the eating experience. Schandis should be visited atleast once.