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EAT & STAY GOA - July 2022 Issue
Martin's Place, Navelim
In the heart of the beautiful village of Navelim in South Goa lies a beautiful restaurant and pub called Martin's Place. The restaurant, which is run by Malito Da Costa, started its journey in the year 2010. During the journey, the restaurant was leased out to a private party to run it. However, in September 2016, Malito took over the reins of the restaurant once again, and ever since then, there has been no looking back.
Malito's father, Mr. Martin Da Costa, had a restaurant in Colva in the late 70s by the name ‘Goodman’s’. Being a pioneer in the restaurant industry back then, nostalgic Goan food was the primary goal. This inspired Malito to name his restaurant after his father. Hence the name ‘Martin’s Place’. Malito believes in the saying that “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”Through his venture, he aims to extend his father’s traditional warm hospitality, rich culture and heritage to his customers.
Malito holds a degree in Business Administration and has a very strong exposure in the field of sales and marketing, His last assignment before starting Martin’s Place was with Ramada Caravela hotel as a reservation supervisor.
Martin’s Place is not a restaurant to just eat and go. It is more about understanding what the customer is asking for and catering to an exotic culinary experience. Malito terms Martin's Place as a ‘Food Clinic' for mouth-watering and lip-smacking delicacies.
Martin’s Place offers a wide array of cuisines, ranging from authentic Goan dishes to fresh seafood, world delicacies, Indian food, and Chinese cuisine. Some of the authentic Goan dishes they offer include beef tongue, beef chilli fry, pork amsol, pork sorpotel, pork vindaloo, aadh maas, Beef roulade, Chicken Cafreal etc.
Besides this, the other popular dishes on their menu include sausage pulao, butter chicken, chicken satay, batter fry squids, etc. They also offer a wide selection of whiskeys, rum, gin, brandy, vodka, and beers from around the world, along with classic cocktails like Pina Colada,
Irish Coffee, Tequila Sunrise, etc.
Famous for whole fish preparations, patrons of Martin’s Place have an option of choosing from red snapper and sea bass and can customize the preparation according to their individual taste and liking. Additionally, the restaurant also offers the option of two preparation styles using the same fish.
The restaurant's signature Stuffed Crabs and Stuffed Squids with Goan chorizo are must-haves. Malito's mother’s recipe of Pepper-Garlic Tongue keeps customers of Martin’s Place constantly coming back for more. Buffalo Wings, which are chicken wings tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce, are an instant hit with new customers. Nobody misses out on the Stuffed Mushrooms, which is loved by one and all, when at Martin’s Place.
With live music on Sundays, the restaurant also hosts numerous screenings, be it IPL or soccer matches. The future is incredibly bright for Martin’s Place, as the restaurant is currently in talks with investors to set up a franchise outlet in Mapusa.
Malito is thankful for the great support that his restaurant has received over the years from patrons. He aims to constantly improvise his restaurant’s menu and quality of service with the help of the feedback received from customers.
Malito observes with worry that Goans are migrating from our beautiful state. He believes that somehow, we need to make an effort to preserve our rich traditions and culture. He points out that one way to do that is to preserve Goan food, by passing it on to the next generation, so that the Goan identity is preserved.
To Malito, life or business would not be interesting without a challenge, as he deals with the crazy cost of raw materials and the lack of availability of skilled and cheap labour. Albeit, he always says that there is no dead-end unless you create one and cease to be innovative and resourceful.
