Just returned from Candolim and have to put a word in for TIGER TRIAL, Chinese restaurant next to Newtons, THE GREEN JACKET and THE CURRY HOUSE, both on the Beach Road. Fantastic food and service from all three. We tried INFERNO and have to say that we were very dissappointed - bland food and service not a bit like we expected after reading the forum.
Try MARTHA BEACH SHACK, excellent service and cheap. Say Hello to Mecelle for us.
If you want a henna tattoo try Anita on the beach outside D,Mellos and Marthas. She is very talented and will do any design you want and for whatever you want to pay.
Managed a full fortnight without buying anything from the beach girls!

As mentioned by Fiona herself ........ the Casa Sea Shell in Candolim, was by far the best meals we ever ate in Goa.

The manager (Sam), is brilliant. The waiters are all around you, cant do enough for you. The food was excellent on the 7 occasions we went there, and the price was similar to the other restaurants in the locality.

Also, it not only looks hygenic, it is hygenic .... and the toilets are fantastic !!!! It's only been my first trip to Goa, but 'toilet-talk' plays a big part in ones holiday, I've come to appreciate.

Agree - for a nice meal, casa seashell takes some beating

Been to Casa Sea Shell when we stayed at the gross Phoenix Park, and very nice meal, but not good enough to make me want to return time and time again. You must have loved it if you went SEVEN times. Can I ask how long your holiday lasted for?

You can ....

16 days. Ate out for all 3 main meal times. 7 times at Casa Sea Shell.Brilliant food.

We were a party of 20+ people who, 8 of which are seasoned travellers in North/South Goa. Out of all the places we tried, Casa Sea Shell came up heads and tails above all the others for the best meals we ate.

Granted, the menu can be exhausted in a few days, but, the choices that are available are cooked to perfection. Also, the ambience, hygiene and staff awareness were not to be bettered at any of the other places we tried, from Coco beach to Manadarim Beach.

the restaurants we visited this year[Nov/Dec] were
Casa seashells[nice food, nice ambience, nice service, still as good as ever]
I-95, Calangute, our favourite, superb, went twice
Tibetan kitchen, Calangute, went in January and liked it- this time is was disgusting
Floyd's Hut, Candolim - still as good as ever
Beach BBQ at Fisherman's Paradise on Calangute beach,lovely food, entertainment and company
Le Jardin, Calangute, Lovely
Mermaid,Candolim, rubbish
Goan Heritage hotel, Calangute, Pirates night, excellent, 500 rupees for as much food as you could eat, excellently cooked, good entertainment and loads of prizes in a lovely setting
Fiesta, Baga, nice but wouldn't rush back
Kingstork, Calangute, where we were staying, lovely food and value for money- ate there twice
Chef Sumyier's kitchen, between Calangute and Candolim - super, chocolate mousse to die for
East Meets West, Baga, great night out, nice food , will return
Think that's about it

Must agree OAP, I dont rate Mermaid much either, its like a poor mans version of After 7/I-95 or Souymens Kitchen.
I like Fiesta as well, but we didnt go this year because last time we found it too dark inside, is it still the same?
Souymens Kitchen was fantastic. Leo from After 7 wont be pleased that Cheft Souymen has opened up so close to his place as both sell the same type of (excellent) food.

Yes Gemma - still dark inside Fiesta.

Well we got back just over a week ago after a three month stay. Tried all the touristy places gradually as they opened after the monsoon and NOT ONE of them compared to Bhattia Village Bar in Nerul.

Consistantly beautiful fish and chicken dishes and all at a third of the places on the 'main strip'. Michelle's spicy veg rice was the best I have ever tasted and it was obvious by the amount of 'parcels' of Chicken
Cafreal they did for locals that her food was much appreciated.

60ml of vodka (romanov) costs Rs14 and mixers were Rs13. Very busy at times and limited space but if I had to name a favourite after 7 years visiting Goa then this would be it!! Chicken cafreal costs Rs45 and spicy veg rice is Rs35.

For the non spice lovers there is beautiful creamy mash potato and the most succulant plain fried chicken ever. Her homemade chips are also to die for. Patrick runs around like a **** ar** fly looking after you and the whole place is spotless clean.

If you want to try it....go early (7pm) or late (after 9pm) to make sure you get a table. If you get to the little junction at Nerul turn left (instead of right for Cocoa Beach) and follow the lane until you see his lit up tree outside.

Try it, you will love it.

Its quite out the way if youre not staying in that direction Towpal (we normally stay at the Marinha Dourada) however, certainly seems worth a visit so I will go along in March. We have friends flying out this Saturday who are staying at the Prazeres so I will pass the information onto them and I am sure they will pop in.

towpal we are staying at the phoenix park in feb. would it be easy to get a taxi from there and would you get the taxi to wait or just get another when you want to come back?
thanks

Hi there
No problem getting to Bhatti from there, just get a taxi and either ask him to come back at a certain time or take his number and ring or get Patrick to ring for you. Not many people get their taxis to wait unless they have come a long distance. Although this place is a little off the beaten track it is not far away in km's from the main areas of Candolim.
regards
Michelle

Well we got back just over a week ago after a three month stay. Tried all the touristy places gradually as they opened after the monsoon and NOT ONE of them compared to Bhattia Village Bar in Nerul.

Sounds excellent! One to add to the list. Where exactly is Nerul though?

Nerul is just outside Candolim on the back road from Sinquerim - Panjim via Betim.
The Map

It's on the main bus route to panjim.

Just back last night, had some lovely meals, Souymens Kitchen scores very high with us, excellent service and delicious food.

Very disappointed with Sublime at Baga, it has changed hands, absolutely awful experience there, my main meal was stone cold, OH's was extremely tough, we had to send it all back and OH spent Christmas Eve night in the bathroom with a bad case of delhi belly. Will not go there again until it once more changes hands.

Miccie lovely to have you back. Cant wait to hear all the news.
I am so glad you liked Souymens kitchen, I was very impressed as well.
I am shocked and surprised about Sublime, like yourself, it was one of my favourite restaurants as well, but maybe I will give it a miss, your poor hubby, what a shame.

Gemma I think you were right with your comment to me before I left, Souymens just has the edge on I95, I didn't think that I would think that!!

We were very disappointed about Sublime, we were looking forward to the chocolate fondue!!

The Sublime we all know and love moved to Anjuna last season. Its on the road to the flea market just before La Franza. Chris is still cooking, menu almost the same and the chocolate pud is still to die for. Needless to say he is very busy, reservations only, pm me if you want his number. Other good restaurants in Anjuna imo are, in no particular order, Xaviers in south anjuna, Luis Restaurant on the beach in middle anjuna, also great cocktails, Orangeboom for breakfast and lunch, Basilico italian restaurant, Bean Me Up vegetarian and homemade tofu. Happy eating.

Yes, I know that Chris, the founder of Sublime, moved to Anjuna and have had the pleasure of eating there, my comments were in relation to the Sublime restaurant at Baga and in no way reflect on Chris's Sublime at Anjuna.