IN REVIEW

BANYAN TREE- EXPERIENCE AUTHENTIC THAI CUISINE RIGHT HERE IN GOA!

by Aditi Malhotra Images by: Armaan Malhotra, Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa (Chef Lily)

Banyan Tree, a Thai speciality restaurant at Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa is not just a restaurant, it’ s a deep dive into Taj’ s culinary promise and hospitality standards that it stands for. The restaurant is nestled around a 300-year-old Banyan Tree and no points for guessing that it derives its name from the same. As you climb the wooden stairs, you witness a small stream of water flowing across a small bridge and lets you enjoy the serene, green beauty of Taj Holiday Village on the whole. There is ample outdoor seating where you can dine amidst nature or choose the classier indoor seating.

To ensure the authenticity of flavours and to serve you nothing but the most traditional Thai food, Taj recently hired the services of Chef Thomthong Sungkaha who hails from Nonthaburi province in Thailand. Chef Thomthong brings with her extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of the cuisine while making dishes that suit the Indian palate perfectly. Chef Lily as she is fondly called, had a passion for food and curiosity about ingredients since the nascent age of 10 years when she helped her family-run vegetable and noodle stalls at the local market before going to the school every morning. Following her passion, she trained at the Hotel and Tourism Training Institute, Tourism Authority of Thailand and began her career at the celebrated Celadon Thai restaurant in Sukhothai Hotel Bangkok. Following her roles at key hotels in Bangkok, including The Peninsula Hotel and The Dome, she migrated to India in 2010 with the aim to innovate, standardize and popularize Thai Cuisine while achieving a perfect balance between international tastes and authenticity. Having been the MasterChef at the Leela hotels in Chennai and Bangalore, and running her own restaurant and food delivery venture, Chef Lily is now spearheading the culinary team at Banyan Tree, at Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa, Goa. While Thai food is her forte, Chef Lily ’ s 27 years of rich experience have honed her into a skilled Pan-Asian Chef with a focus on Indonesian, Burmese, Malaysian and Vietnamese cuisines. She is a strong supporter of the ‘Garden to Plate ’ concept and believes that food tastes the best, with the freshest of ingredients plucked from home–grown gardens.

Her passion and her attributes are all evident in her cooking and you will get to experience it while dining at the Banyan Tree. We started our culinary journey at the Banyan Tree with Pumpkin Crackers that made for the Amuse Bouche. It was followed by Satay Kai, a traditional dish of grilled chicken skewers served with peanut sauce & tangy cucumber salad. The chicken was succulent, tender and almost melted in the mouth. The peanut sauce and tangy cucumber salad definitely elevated the taste. Som Tam, the raw papaya salad is indeed one of my most favourite Thai dishes. The crunchiness of papaya and its tanginess balanced well with a dressing that includes honey, Som Tam makes for a refreshing salad. Chef Lily had my heart with this beautiful preparation of hers. Next, we tried the Pad Woon Sen, a Thai glass noodle salad topped with prawns. I have to admit that it was one of the best dishes I had that day. It was like a burst of flavours in your mouth and this is definitely something I would go back for. Scallops were the next thing that I made an entry on our table, It was my first time at trying Scallops and must say that I really liked them. The subtle flavours left a great aftertaste on the tongue. Phor Pla Je, Thai crispy veg spring rolls with sweet chilli sauce is what we tried next. Loved the outer crispy covering with juicy veggies on the inside. Tom Yum Soup, a spicy preparation that was full of lemongrass flavours along with bird' s eye chilli, is something that you surely musthave.At most places the flavours of lemongrass are overpowering, but at Banyan Tree, it was perfectly balanced and made for a great accompaniment to the starters. For the mains, we tried Chicken Thai Green Curry, Chicken Thai Red Curry, Jasmine Rice, Phad Thai Noodles and Pla Rad Prik. Both the red and green gravies were delicious to the core and teamed with sticky jasmine rice, they made for a perfect combo. Phad Thai Noodles, these stir-fried flat noodles ooze out flavours and transport you straight to the streets of Bangkok. Pla Rad Prik was a delectable dish of crispy fried fish in tamarind sauce. The authenticity of flavours, the freshness of ingredients and Chef Lily ’ s expertise came across in every single dish and one cannot ask for a better Thai food experience than this. To complete the meal, we had the Tub Tim Grob, a refreshing dessert made of water chestnuts soaked in rose syrup served in sweetened cold coconut milk. You have to try this to believe how good it is. I mean you can just keep on sipping the coconut milk and the sweet bites of rose-flavoured water chestnuts are almost irresistible. Overall, Banyan Tree is a true Thai food dining experience that offers you the best of street food, as well as fine dishes from mainland Thailand and Chef Lily surely, has elevated the whole culinary scene with her years of work experience and her native knowledge of the cuisine. This place should definitely be on your list and I am sure you would enjoy it as much as I did.

Address: Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa, Bardez, Near Candolim, Goa Contact: +918326645858 Average Cost ₹3,000 for two people (approx.) Without alcohol Exclusive of applicable taxes and charges, if any Cash and Cards accepted Digital payments accepted More Info: Full Bar Available, Indoor Seating, Table booking recommended, Outdoor Seating

GOA BAKING COMPANY- A GOOD BAKING COMPANY!

by Aditi Malhotra Images by Armaan Malhotra and Goa Marriott Resort & Spa

From being just a hotel cake shop at Marriott Goa Resort & Spa, Goa Baking Company has come a long way. Today it has an identity of its own and people swear by its products and services.

Goa Baking Company or GBC as its fondly known started in 2018 under the helm of pastry chef Kalyan Banerjee and the mentorship of Executive Chef Dibyendu Roy. Kalyan brought his love for baking forward and turned it into art while Chef Dibyendu ensured the quality of the products at every step. Slowly and steadily, GBC became a household name for ordering cakes, pastries and other tea-time savouries. It’ s been my personal favourite too and whenever I wanna relish a really good cake, GBC is my go-to place. GBC has a regular menu that includes cakes, pastries, donuts, some exotic desserts, savouries and even coffees. It doesn ’t have a huge seating space and usually, clients parcel the stuff they like, but trust me, grabbing one of the chairs there and devouring a coffee with a donut or croissant will surely elevate your experience. The savoury items at GBC have a perfect mix of global as well as our local Goan fusion. They were amongst the first ones to bring about a chorizo croissant and married the flaky and soft croissant with a filling of spicy and tangy Goan sausages. And it certainly is a match made in heaven. Some of their other local and global fusions include a Chicken Cafreal Twist and Prawns Balchao Roll along with a Manchurian Twist as well. I personally loved the Chicken Manchurian Twist, it' s my all-time favourite. I also love the fact that at GBC every customer gets personal attention, and they literally ask the customers what particular dish they would like on the menu. And as per the demand, they do special promotions and let their customers enjoy what they asked for. For instance, they did a special donut promotion in the past wherein a huge variety of donuts was made available and that too at a special price.

There were some 8 colourful and delicious flavours of donuts including, the rainbow donut, the peanut butter donut, the lemon meringue donut, red velvet donut, cookies and cream donuts Then I also remember their Quiche and Pie promotion, which had a wide range of quiches and pies with different fillings and flavours. My personal favourites included Chorizo, Mackerel, Chicken Cafreal and Apple Pie. The latest promotion from GBC was the mango mania where Chef Kalyan delivered his finest creations. From cakes to desserts, smoothies and shakes, the mango mania was nothing less than a heavenly experience for mango lovers. And the greatest innovation came in blending some off-beat flavours together, for instance, can you imagine coming together of ginger, chocolate and mango to create a beautiful dessert.

But Chef Kalyan typically works where our imagination doesn ’t even reach and makes them a delectable reality. These promotions are what keep GBC alive and always kicking. Also, they strictly follow the policy of serving only fresh bakes to their customers. Thus, you will never find a prior day bake on the shelf. They also run a happy hour promotion every day from 9 PM to 10 PM where all that is left for the day can be bought at half the price and they do this to reduce waste and to always offer fresh bakes the next day. They have a special team who bakes every day at 4 AM to ensure the quality and freshness of all bakery items. And you know what the best part about GBC is, if not cheaper then it surely matches the rates of your neighbourhood bakery. It’ s a whole lot easier on your pocket than other five-star hotel bakeries or stand-alone shops. Most things are priced between Rs 100-200 max and I am sure that for assured fresh bakes, this price is a bargain. So if you still haven ’t tried GBC, it' s time. And yes, you can thank me later.

Restaurant Details Address Goa Marriott Resort And Spa, Miramar Beach, Panaji, Goa Contact +918322463333, +918750703006 Average Cost ₹700 for two people (approx.) More Info Home Delivery Takeaway Available Indoor Seating Desserts and Bakes

A LAVISH DAYCATION EXPERIENCE: THE LEELA GOA

By Kevin Pinto Images - Kevin Pinto

The Leela Goa is surrounded by lush gardens and swaying palm trees and overlooks a scenic lagoon. It offers peak comfort, relaxation and luxury and is the perfect spot to disconnect and rejuvenate with your friends and family when in Goa. This award-winning resort is sprawled across 75 acres and is an oasis of tranquillity. It redefines the art of unwinding.

The Leela Goa is all about hospitality, and the utmost satisfaction of its guests and the hotel staff welcomes you warmly to ensure you have the best time here. Since the property is huge, you ’ll be escorted to your rooms in an in-house car. You ’d be awestruck as you drive through the lush green resort. This magnificent resort houses a 12-hole golf course, a rejuvenating spa, four in-house restaurants, bars & lounges, a huge swimming pool, and so much more. A section of the resort also faces an isolated beach, and we all know that an empty beach is nothing short of luxury in Goa. The daycation at The Leela Goa is something that one should look forward to, and why not? The resort offers exquisite Lagoon Terrace Rooms in its daycation package, where one can check in at 11 am and check out by 11 pm. The rooms have a unique vintage aesthetic and are bathed in elegance. They are spacious and airy, and the best part of the room is the view it offers. Imagine entering your room and realizing it has a private balcony that offers mesmerizing views of the lagoon! You would not want to leave this spot ever. The blossoming lotuses floating on top of the lagoon is a visually arresting view that will stay with you even after you have left the property. The room is designed tastefully and features Portuguese architecture, making you feel at home. You also get access to amenities such as in-room dining, a huge bathtub, aesthetic interiors, and high-speed internet. The 24/7 doorstep service is a cherry on the top where all your demands are met, and your needs are taken care of instantly.

One of the highlights of the daycation package is their complimentary scrumptious lunch buffet at ‘The Restaurant’ . Delight your taste buds with the local Goan, western and Asian cuisine prepared just for you and wash it down with your favourite beverages. Their menu is expansive and features dishes from across the globe. Their live interactive kitchen ensures that the food is hot and fresh and tailor-made as per your taste. The endless dessert menu will spoil you for choice, and your toughest decision will be choosing between chilled ice cream or the creamy chocolate mousse when you ’ re full. The delicious food is not the only great thing about this fine dining restaurant. It also offers amazing views of the poolside and its expansive golf course to its guests. The wholesome food and the amazing views at ‘The Restaurant’ make for a great combination to spend a lovely afternoon. Post this, you can go back to your room and take an afternoon nap on their luxurious & comfortable bed. With a full tummy and a soft bed at your disposal, we assure you that it will be the best sleep you ’ ve had in a long time. But if you ’ re the kind who wants to make the most out of a daycation and do something exciting, you can take a dip in their expansive swimming pool to beat the heat. Or lounge in the sun chair with a cool, refreshing drink in hand. There is also a gym onsite for an adrenaline-pumping workout. If you want the real deal, visit the beach that has private access through the property and enjoy the waves crashing at your feet.

After the sun goes down, enjoy a mouthwatering specially curated dinner with unlimited cocktails at ‘Riverside ’ , which is also a part of the daycation package. The best part of the restaurant is that it is located right beside a river and offers a splendid view. Dine amidst the swaying palm trees and enjoy the view while you gorge on their delectable food. There is nothing better than a brilliant sunset in front of you, sand between your toes, the sound of the sea and the soft breeze to calm your weary soul. Add unlimited and flavourful cocktails that are specially curated to the mix, and you are sure to experience a magical night with your family and loved ones. The Leela Goa is not only an aesthetic abode but also cares about your aesthetics. They offer digital photography services in their daycation package, ensuring you get the best Instagram-worthy photos for your feed. You can take your high-quality pictures against the property ’ s picturesque backgrounds. After all, what’ s a daycation without some beautiful pictures to capture these memories? That’ s not all. Suppose you want to pamper yourself with a relaxing spa session or play a game of golf because there is a 25 percent discount across all resort services when you opt for their daycation package. They also offer yoga, pilates sessions, and other leisure activities such as archery, cycling, rifle shooting, nature walk trails, and more. At INR 12,000 for two adults (plus taxes), it is quite a steal for the wholesome and memorable day you ’d have at The Leela Goa. Enjoy Goa ’ s ‘Susegad’ philosophy of slow living in all its glory at your daycation in Leela. Be rest assured that you ’ll leave the resort feeling energised and already planning your next trip here! It is an awesome place to visit with your friends and family for a daycation.