TAVERNS OF GOA

MISKI - THE COMMUNITY BAR

By Vandita Images by Vandita

Miski! A rustic community bar, all about retro vibes, nostalgic Goan and Portugueseinspired food, classic cocktails, and good music, with balcao overlooking the lanes of the historic capital of Panaji that has witnessed history and has stories to tell.

I was fascinated by the coolest name roughly chalked upon a rustic blue wall, and while I tapped on safari looking for the synonym, The Head chef also known as the meat man of Goa Vasquit, shed some light upon my curiosity. Like most of the taverns and local businesses in Goa, Miski was also one such places named after its owner, Miskita. Although It has always been there since the 1960s, well then a cafe and a bar only since the 70s it’ s still quite of a hidden treasure in the city I’d say. The owner boasts about his parents ’ bunking classes and coming to Miski back in the day. And oh how cool can that be? The new owners took over it about a year ago and Miski is now slowly the buzz of the town. It’ s a small tavern with a big heart. The vibe in here is nostalgic if you ’ re a Goan and super cool even if you are not one. It will take you back to reminiscing the good old days. It has a humble sitting with wooden furniture. The old wooden chairs at Miski remind me of the pair in my grandparent' s house that I doubt now exists. The classic horizontal mirror just like the one in saal or halls of the Portuguese houses in Goa adds to the retro walls at Miski and might as well surprisingly make an aesthetic mirror selfie with some improved megapixels in the dim lighting. But my favourite would still be the veranda sitting outside. It’ s a great spot to chill with a beer and simply participate in the chatter with other like-minded heads out there.

Talking about the drinks at the bar, They

’ ve some cool cocktails like Diwar Island Iced tea and the Tambde Rosa that’ s quite famous in the chromatic Fontainhas, Panjim ’ s Latin Quarter. Yes so, the next time if there ’ s a throng at Josephs ’ , while you were only there for the tambde rosa, the popular feni cocktail, Gundu the barman might whisperingly direct you to Miski. That’ s how I got here too. Miski is a sister venture of their own and the good news is they have the classic tambde rosa too. The young barman at Miski also boasts of the Thomas Coffee, a drink inspired by his greatgrandfather Thomas who would whip his own coffee along with a whiskey concoction at family gatherings. I am yet to try it but you definitely should add it to the list. The food here can range from small plates to a wholesome combo meal and so it’ s just not the ordinary bar food you would imagine. They believe in serving nostalgic Goan food that is now almost disappearing from the Goan menus. And that’ s exactly what they do. Most of the signature dishes here include a lot of beef and pork. The beef tongue and pork ribs are some top picks amongst the crowd, Vasquit mentioned. Apart from that, they do have finger-licking chicken and some extraordinary seafood preparations. One such favourite is the crab meat stuffed papads. These wrapped cones are a must try and makes a great bar snack at any hour of the day. Miski also got some inhouse specials available only on the days you ’ re lucky enough. They also have weekly barbecue nights on Tuesdays, and I could only imagine a live grill at the coolest spot on the streets. While the retro scene with the lights as that of a carrom board on the inside suits just right and is sure to get you happy high, I would still enjoy sitting outside or simply leaning at the favourite spot at Miski with a chilled beer not just to escape the boiling inside but for the street view of the less busy lanes during the night that otherwise would have different stories to yell. And most of all for some gramworthy clicks of course.