Thanks Waterproof - Is this the new place, quite near the Nizmar? If so, we stood outside deliberating whether to try it but I was outvoted!

Won't happen next time!

This is not a recommendation, more of a warning.
On Candolim beach road there is a place called "Bright Sides" close to Teama.
I went in there to have a GT while I waited for my optician to fix my glasses.
I used their facilities as did two of their kitchen staff, one of them did number one and the other one number two.
When I tried to wash my hands there was no soap, only water. At that time both of them came also to wash their hands and when I asked them for soap they replied "its out" and only rinced in water and went into the kitchen.
I´m glad that I did´nt eat there!

Not heard much on Ram's Carvery recently, after a couple of very poor reports on meals there, any updates?

went to la fontana on titos lane steak was fantastic and great table de hote menu for 280 rps always had a good meal and stuart the owner is a fantastic host recommended it to loads of people at the beira mar all enjoyed it well worth a visit

Ordered Alo Gobi and Bombay Potatoes at RAMS the dishes were made up from the roast potatoes left over from the carvery.

Well here is where we visited this year.Only thing that annoys me about the food in Goa is the heat invariably reduces my appetite so I can only eat about as half as much as at home.Very frustrating with all the great food on offer.

Over The Flames

An Inferno clone on the road between Calangute and Candolim not far from After Seven.Ate there twice first time quite average and second time much better.In fact second time very much better.Also had a Kareoke night on the second time and one chap was doing Dean Martin better than Dean Martin.

Sendras

Two visits this time and as usual excellent food and great service.Had a good chat with Rovin and he may be moving next year.Having problems with his landlord and it seems his ambition outstrips that of the landlord.A very nice guy who is keen to be up there with Inferno and After Seven.I wish him all the best.

Oriental Thai at The Mira Hotel

Great location and ambience make this a must for any visitor add to that superb food and attentive service and you will not be disapointed.Hard to believe but in all our visits to Thailand my wife has never tried Thai food.She had Tom Yum Gang for starters and was raving.Crispy chicken and beef to follow and she is now converted.Waiters very good at selling up the wine so be aware.

Chinese on the right down Beach road Candolim.

Cannot remember its exact name but it has Taste of India attached to it and is part of a hotel.Peter the boss is an excellent host and the food is inexpensive tasty and portions are great.Barbecue ribs superb.

St Anthonys Tea room.

Had read obout this place on the forum but only visited a couple of days before we came home at lunchtime.Packed out with good reason.Tasty baguettes and pots of tea.Just what you need after days of shack food.Did not get to have dinner there but is on our list for next year.

After Seven

Probably going to rattle some cages with this one but anyway.This place is overpriced and pretentious.Been here several times over the last few years and this years experience just cemented what had been forming in my mind.No starters.I had beef tournados with mash which was tough as old boots.This is not the first time I have had tough meat here in fact every time I have had Fillet steak it has been tough stringy and "tenderised"beyond belief.Another practice with the"steak"which infuriates me is the fact that the chefs seem unable to cook a medium steak without slicing into it laterally to check if it is cooked correctly.I would go as far as to say I am not even sure it is beef.My wife had the fish which she said was superb.A bottle of extremely average Rose' 1000rps.So to summarise.2 Vodka tonics 2 main courses 2 deserts one bottle of wine 2 liquer coffees 3100rps.That is taking the p****.After Seven sells this as a fine dining experience and there is no denying the setting is very nice but the food just does not live up to the final bill and remember this is India.On our way out the owner asked us to tell as many people about it as we could.So I have.Got the impression he was a worried man.

Souyemans Kitchen

A lot of what has been said about After Seven applies here.We all know it is run by the ex partner of After Seven and the same principles apply only the setting is not as good.We both had steak and it was as poor as it could be.Tough stringy and again severely malleted and sliced during cooking to check how well it was done.Again overpriced average wine ended up with a bill of 2700rps.In my opinion these two restaurants specialise in ratcheting up the bill from the minute you enter the premises and in return do not deliver the excellent food experience those prices demand.

Floyds Hut

What can you say.3 visits this year confirms this as our favourite restaurant in Goa.Excellent food my favourites include Khadai veg curry,Butter chicken,Tandoori Chicken and about the best naan bread I have ever tasted.Portions too big for both of us and a reasonably priced wine choice make this place stand out.The service as always friendly and professional.Top place.

Molly Malones

About as Irish as Shilpa Shetty.We only ate here bacause I had a dodgy stomach and thought something simple would do the trick.A rock hard microwaved cottage pie and steak and kidney pie for OH served by disinterested waiters in one of the most soulless atmospheres I have ever experienced.Could not wait to get out of the place.Enough said.

Phew.Well that was our dining experiences this year.Hope it helps some of you but remember food is very subjective and these are my own opinions.

Papa

Papa I have to agree about Floyds Hut and especially about their naan bread, wish I could have it now. Also agree about the Thai Oriental, absolutely superb food and service and Sendras, our night there was interesting due to the massive storm that took place. Cant comment on the others as I havent been to them due to the fact they dont really sound like they are worth it. My favourite was always Curries and Kebabs but we only went once this season and it was extremely disappointing.

Just returned, having read many good reviews about the Thai at Mira we were very disappointed, on our firts visit were wowed by the setting and ambience, starters were fantastic but mains were very disappointing - the most bland and tasteless Thai food we've ever eaten (Crispy Chicken, beef dish, Pad Thai noodles, and egg fried rice), service was very poor too; I asked the waiter if he could get us a taxi as my mum had hurt her ankle and was using a walking stick - he said 'no, taxi 2 minutes walk away'!!

Having loved some aspects decided we'd try again and just have the fantastic starters, well we were told (by the same waiter as per taxi) that we could not just order starters, we had ordered 5 between the two of us and ended up spending 100 Rs less than when we had starters and the mains we could not eat. He did let us let continue with our meal. The German owner was very welcoming, he'd not spoken to us on our previous visit, on leaving he went out of his way to find us a taxi, I wonder what he'd think if he knew what his staff were saying to customers!! Still have very mixed feelings.

On a more positive note; have to agree and thank all those who have recommended Bombra's - some of the most amazing food I've eaten anywhere in the world. The crispy pork starter with pomegranate and pomello is just to die for, the steak with pepper crust just melted in the mouth - a very very clever and talented chef. Mojito also the best!! Will definately be visiting here again.

On a more positive note; have to agree and thank all those who have recommended Bombra's - some of the most amazing food I've eaten anywhere in the world. The crispy pork starter with pomegranate and pomello is just to die for, the steak with pepper crust just melted in the mouth - a very very clever and talented chef. Mojito also the best!! Will definately be visiting here again

I am so disapointed we didnt get to try Bombras, we walked along one night think it was a Monday, after about a 15/20 minute walk with my OH sounding like a kid..."are we nearly there yet" every few minutes we got there and it was closed

We tried a few new ones after reading some of the recomendations on here and they included.

Floyds - First time here I had Prawn Du Piaza which was great, OH had Spicy Calamari to start which he loved then some kind of Beef and Garlic dish which he wasnt too impressed with but loved the Garlic Butter Nan and the guy on the next tables steak looked very nice indeed. This is definately on the list of ones to go back to.

Tasigos ( think thats how its spelt) - we ended up here the night we were going to Bombras - We started with Salt and Pepper Prawns and Salt and Pepper Paneer both very nice then Butter Chicken for me and OH had Ginger Chicken Shasheek, Ive had nicer Butter Chicken but OH loved his. - Wouldnt go out of our way to return here but would go back

Foxes - Steaks here were the best Ive had in Goa. When we were in it seemed the whole resturant was ordering the steaks. OH had the Big one cant remember whats its called but far too big for him after a starter although he did manage to finish it. This is on the list to return to especially when we are spiced out! Also the prawns in the prawn cocktail were quite big

The rest of the places we went to were returns to old favourites including

Scarface- Never had a bad meal here but if your having Pasta or the Fajitas a word of warning the portions are huge!!

Verundarum - Have always loved this place currys are always good and prices really cheap

Alexanders- OH loves the Spicy Honey Chicken here so weve always got to go at least once, I had the King Prawns in Garlic Butter and got at least 10 which I thought was very good value for 250 rups

The Carvery - I know this place has had some bad reviews this year and I didnt enjoy 1 of my meals at xmas here but weve had some really good food over the last few years here so gave it another go and it was fine. I love the Tandoori Paneer and Beef Vindaloo here.

On average our bill for 1 or 2 starters 2 main courses and at least 4 Vodka and Cokes would be between 600-900 rupees

Where exactly is St Anthonys Tea Room and Bombra's please? Both sound excellent.
Papa, Rovin is the most sincere, lovely guy you could meet. Cant wait to see him again next weekend. We phoned him this week and he told us business was very slow he is trying so hard as well, poor guy.

If you head down the Candolim road towards Aguada.
After the Stonehouse and next door to Buttar Nightclub - you will find Bomras.

Clicky here.

St. Anthonys Tearooms - on the left hand side of the church in the middle of the road on the Candolim to Calangute road. Tearooms until about 6pm then becomes a restaurant with another name I forget but most people just call it the Tearooms.

Thanks Max and Waterproof, will remember for next week

Think it turns into after dark at night.I think he needs bigger premises if the lunhtime crowd is anything to go by.

this is last minute for me, we are away tomorrow, does anyone know where cato lobo restaurant is?? many thanks.
Neil

Hi Neil its called cato loco and its on the main street in Candolim nr Alegria de Goa hotel
and about opposite Dona Alcina
annx

It's a bit further down almost opposite Highland Beach Road.

Thanks Max thought it was in that area
annx

Getting a really good feedback from people who have tried the Phoenix bar of the baga road.

Glad you all enjoyed it, i sure do.

Mike