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Fish curry, pork sorpotel, buff chilli, sannas and red rice at O Pedro Mumbai … Picture perfect |
It’s a question of perspective at the end of it all
- My earliest memories of Goan meals are from the humble New Martin Hotel at Mumbai’s Colaba
- Then from shacks and restaurants in largely the touristy parts of Goa
- I have eaten at Goa Portuguesa in central Mumbai and the local Gomantak places here and from the kitchens of a few Goan friends and at the sleepy Snow Flake restaurant at Dhobi Talao
- I went to eat at the recently opened O Pedro restaurant in Mumbai and realised that my meal there was accompanied by the memories of my earlier Goan food encounters. This post is about that realisation!
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Buff steak fry with onions, Goan sausage chilli fry, pav and pork vindaloo at New Martin Hotel Mumbai which talks to my heart |
At
home at the New Martin Hotel, Colaba
I
went Colaba’s New Martin Hotel a few weeks back to meet a British Indian food
writer and author friend of ours, Meera Sodha. She had suggested the venue to me and I
readily agreed though it was a bit of a drive from my home. I love the place you see.
went Colaba’s New Martin Hotel a few weeks back to meet a British Indian food
writer and author friend of ours, Meera Sodha. She had suggested the venue to me and I
readily agreed though it was a bit of a drive from my home. I love the place you see.
I
broke into a smile the moment I entered Martin’s. This tiny little Goan restaurant in
South Mumbai holds so many memories for me, especially of my early days in
Mumbai and of my dating days with K before we got married.
broke into a smile the moment I entered Martin’s. This tiny little Goan restaurant in
South Mumbai holds so many memories for me, especially of my early days in
Mumbai and of my dating days with K before we got married.
The
waiter at New Martin’s welcomed me with a smile and said, “we haven’t seen
you for so long.”
waiter at New Martin’s welcomed me with a smile and said, “we haven’t seen
you for so long.”
He
looked exactly the same as when I first saw him in 1999. The restaurant looked
the same too! As did the plates of Goan sausage chilli fry, the pork vindaloo and the
beef steak fry with chips and onion that I ordered. Dishes that K and I would always order
when we used to come here at the turn of the century.
looked exactly the same as when I first saw him in 1999. The restaurant looked
the same too! As did the plates of Goan sausage chilli fry, the pork vindaloo and the
beef steak fry with chips and onion that I ordered. Dishes that K and I would always order
when we used to come here at the turn of the century.
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The buff steak fry at Martin’s |
You
don’t get to choose the level of done-ness in the ‘steak’ at New Martin. It’s a
piece of buff (water buffalo) meat which is deep fried and served I guess. It is proudly plated in a pool of oil and fat with a
pile of fried onions and chips to give company and a piece of tomato for vitamin C. I’ve never come across this dish anywhere else,
though chips have appeared with every chilli fry that we have ever ordered in
Goa too.
don’t get to choose the level of done-ness in the ‘steak’ at New Martin. It’s a
piece of buff (water buffalo) meat which is deep fried and served I guess. It is proudly plated in a pool of oil and fat with a
pile of fried onions and chips to give company and a piece of tomato for vitamin C. I’ve never come across this dish anywhere else,
though chips have appeared with every chilli fry that we have ever ordered in
Goa too.
The pav that we ordered at New Martin’s the other day reminded me of those good old days when we were
trainees. Ordering each extra pav then was a
momentous decision as it would add an extra five rupees to the bill!
trainees. Ordering each extra pav then was a
momentous decision as it would add an extra five rupees to the bill!
This is Mumbai of course and hence they serve pao here and not the poiee of Goa. Eat local, as they say.
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Don’t even think of having the vinegary sausage chilli fry without pav |
I
would love to tell you that the food at Martin’s has remained the same over the years, but that would not be entirely true. The flavours of what I had the
other day were indeed the way I remembered from a million meals at Martin’s, eaten primarly at the restaurant, and some as takeaways after we were married, which I would bring back home
for K when I went to Colaba on work.
would love to tell you that the food at Martin’s has remained the same over the years, but that would not be entirely true. The flavours of what I had the
other day were indeed the way I remembered from a million meals at Martin’s, eaten primarly at the restaurant, and some as takeaways after we were married, which I would bring back home
for K when I went to Colaba on work.
However, something was different this time. The quality and texture of the meat in each of the three dishes, the sausage, the vindaloo and the steak, were all better than before. Each was a lot more tender than before.
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Even the pork in the vindaloo was so tender |
I
commented on this to the waiter at the end of the meal and while I packed some prawn curry to take for K’s
aunt, Perin aunty. He smiled back at me bashfully and said that they have
changed their meat supplier and that this could explain it.
commented on this to the waiter at the end of the meal and while I packed some prawn curry to take for K’s
aunt, Perin aunty. He smiled back at me bashfully and said that they have
changed their meat supplier and that this could explain it.
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Never figured out why they give this Chinese restaurant like finely chopped vinegared chillies at Martin’s |
As
I stepped out of Martin’s that afternoon, the penny suddenly dropped on something
that I’d been mulling with for a bit. About why I felt a sense of confusion when I went to a
restaurant called O Pedro in Mumbai during the same period as my recent Martin’s visit.
I stepped out of Martin’s that afternoon, the penny suddenly dropped on something
that I’d been mulling with for a bit. About why I felt a sense of confusion when I went to a
restaurant called O Pedro in Mumbai during the same period as my recent Martin’s visit.
I went to O Pedro not once, but
twice, to investigate this. Coincidentally the first time was with good old Meera with whom I had gone to
New Martin’s this time.
twice, to investigate this. Coincidentally the first time was with good old Meera with whom I had gone to
New Martin’s this time.
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The Goans called this sousegad. I am sure that the cats do too! |
Wait, wasn’t this about O Pedro? Welcome to The Museum of Memories
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The aristocratic world of O Pedro Mumbai |
For
those who didn’t know this, O Pedro is a fairly new restaurant opened at Mumbai’s BKC
precinct. It is the brainchild of the US based Indian chef, Floyd Cardoz. A
Goan himself who has among other things, earlier brought us the runaway hit, The Bombay
Canteen, in Mumbai. From whatever I gathered from the many media and social
media reports on O Pedro. This is a project born out of his love for Goa and Goan food. Chef Floyd’s tribute to his roots. A few Goans whom I know of, had gone to O’Pedro
and tweeted/ posted about loving it. I was keen to find out how it was.
those who didn’t know this, O Pedro is a fairly new restaurant opened at Mumbai’s BKC
precinct. It is the brainchild of the US based Indian chef, Floyd Cardoz. A
Goan himself who has among other things, earlier brought us the runaway hit, The Bombay
Canteen, in Mumbai. From whatever I gathered from the many media and social
media reports on O Pedro. This is a project born out of his love for Goa and Goan food. Chef Floyd’s tribute to his roots. A few Goans whom I know of, had gone to O’Pedro
and tweeted/ posted about loving it. I was keen to find out how it was.
My first visit to O Pedro left me confused as I said earlier. Perhaps ‘intrigued’ is a better word to use.
This was not the Goan food that I
knew of. Of course, by now I have hopefully ‘grown up’ enough to know that
having had a few meals cooked by Goans in Mumbai and in Panjim, a few more meals
had in restaurants and hotels in Goa, and at the two and a half Goan
restaurants in Mumbai, was not enough to claim that one is an an ‘expert’ at Goan food. I am far from that in reality but I did love whatever I have had of Goan food so far.
knew of. Of course, by now I have hopefully ‘grown up’ enough to know that
having had a few meals cooked by Goans in Mumbai and in Panjim, a few more meals
had in restaurants and hotels in Goa, and at the two and a half Goan
restaurants in Mumbai, was not enough to claim that one is an an ‘expert’ at Goan food. I am far from that in reality but I did love whatever I have had of Goan food so far.
Coming
back to O Pedro, its head chef in Mumbai, Chef Hussain, explained to me on my
second visit to the restaurant that the food at O Pedrois a mix of Goan inspired food, food that
follows the Goan imprint across the world (the Portuguese influence) and some
classical Goan dishes too which the chefs here have not tinkered with according to hime. The terms that he used were slightly different from what I have written here. His explanation reminded me of a post that I had written at the end of last year about how
difficult it is to define ‘Indian restaurants’ today, especially with regional
gems coming up across the country and with local chefs travelling the world and
infusing their sensibilities into the dishes the create.
back to O Pedro, its head chef in Mumbai, Chef Hussain, explained to me on my
second visit to the restaurant that the food at O Pedrois a mix of Goan inspired food, food that
follows the Goan imprint across the world (the Portuguese influence) and some
classical Goan dishes too which the chefs here have not tinkered with according to hime. The terms that he used were slightly different from what I have written here. His explanation reminded me of a post that I had written at the end of last year about how
difficult it is to define ‘Indian restaurants’ today, especially with regional
gems coming up across the country and with local chefs travelling the world and
infusing their sensibilities into the dishes the create.
You could say that my experience at O Pedro did not confirm
to my what my expectations from a conventional Goan restaurant. I was trapped in my Goan museum of memories.
to my what my expectations from a conventional Goan restaurant. I was trapped in my Goan museum of memories.
Let me explain why.
O Pedro deboned, deveined and deconstructed
My first visit to O Pedro was during dinner time on a week day. The place was packed at 8.30 pm which is when
we arrived. We had made a reservation prior to coming.
we arrived. We had made a reservation prior to coming.
The
décor as we observed was beautiful and spoke of thoughtful detailing. The overall ambience,
very recreated sepia and felt like
what a Portuguese bungalow in Goan would be like. A world far removed from the humble world of Martin’s.
décor as we observed was beautiful and spoke of thoughtful detailing. The overall ambience,
very recreated sepia and felt like
what a Portuguese bungalow in Goan would be like. A world far removed from the humble world of Martin’s.
It
was very noisy though at O Pedro that evening, partly because of the buzz of conversation, but largely
because of the music. This was disconcerting as we had thought that O Pedro was a
restaurant which serves cocktails too and not a bar and therefore had hoped that it would be a bit more serene. Conducting a conversation was
tough that evening. This was was sad as the idea was for K and me to catch up with Meera over a
nice meal.
was very noisy though at O Pedro that evening, partly because of the buzz of conversation, but largely
because of the music. This was disconcerting as we had thought that O Pedro was a
restaurant which serves cocktails too and not a bar and therefore had hoped that it would be a bit more serene. Conducting a conversation was
tough that evening. This was was sad as the idea was for K and me to catch up with Meera over a
nice meal.
It was also sad as the waiting staff at O Pedro was very
enthusiastic and well versed with the menu and were quite eager to explain the
long menu. However, one gave up trying to understand what they were saying
after a while and just ordered and hoped for the best. A far cry from its
sister concern, The Bombay Canteen, where I went a few evenings back and faced
no such noise issues. We had gone with K’s family at Soda Bottle Opener Wala
one Sunday evening and again the noise came in the way. Something for their restaurant owners to look at.
enthusiastic and well versed with the menu and were quite eager to explain the
long menu. However, one gave up trying to understand what they were saying
after a while and just ordered and hoped for the best. A far cry from its
sister concern, The Bombay Canteen, where I went a few evenings back and faced
no such noise issues. We had gone with K’s family at Soda Bottle Opener Wala
one Sunday evening and again the noise came in the way. Something for their restaurant owners to look at.
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Both O Pedroand Bombay Canteen have staff that are young, cheerful, enthusiastic and know their stuff which is great . These gentlemen are from Bombay Canteen though. |
What
makes ordering your food even more
difficult at O Pedro is the array of dishes on offer. It’s a long long
menu unlike traditional Goan places which barely offer 5 or 6 Goan dishes.
makes ordering your food even more
difficult at O Pedro is the array of dishes on offer. It’s a long long
menu unlike traditional Goan places which barely offer 5 or 6 Goan dishes.
The food at O Pedro comes in
various portion sizes. The staff does urge you to try a variety and yet at the
end you realise that your bill is not as much as you thought it would be
as many of these are small plates.
various portion sizes. The staff does urge you to try a variety and yet at the
end you realise that your bill is not as much as you thought it would be
as many of these are small plates.
Tell us about the food!
Let
me tell you about what I really liked during our first meal at O Pedro.
me tell you about what I really liked during our first meal at O Pedro.
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Fish mousse |
We all loved ‘Aunty Castro’s fish mousse’ which served in a tin can. The can was a tribute to Portugal’s love for canned fish chef
Hussein told me when he suggested that I order it. I later saw canned fish were indeed popular there in
the Lisbon episode of ‘Somebody Feed Phil.’ The mousse at O’Pedro was soft and
creamy and a true flavour bomb. The tomato confit added to it a
bewitching tanginess to balance the fishy flavours and the seasoning was
perfect too and it was bathed in good olive oil. This was a truly exquisite dish.
Hussein told me when he suggested that I order it. I later saw canned fish were indeed popular there in
the Lisbon episode of ‘Somebody Feed Phil.’ The mousse at O’Pedro was soft and
creamy and a true flavour bomb. The tomato confit added to it a
bewitching tanginess to balance the fishy flavours and the seasoning was
perfect too and it was bathed in good olive oil. This was a truly exquisite dish.
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Veal tongue prosciutto |
The
other dish that we absolutely loved was the veal tongue prosciutto. While we have had lovely ox-tongue roasts at
Infantaria at Goa in the past, we have never had tongue as a cured meat before.
The texture of the prosciutto at O Pedro was just amazing and the cushiony meat
did a little happy jig in one’s mouth. The garlic butter emulsion served with it cut the meatiness of the dish and added a bit of freshness between the bites.
other dish that we absolutely loved was the veal tongue prosciutto. While we have had lovely ox-tongue roasts at
Infantaria at Goa in the past, we have never had tongue as a cured meat before.
The texture of the prosciutto at O Pedro was just amazing and the cushiony meat
did a little happy jig in one’s mouth. The garlic butter emulsion served with it cut the meatiness of the dish and added a bit of freshness between the bites.
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garlic prawns |
The
spicy garlic prawns that we had that night which reminded me partly of the butter garlic prawns of the Mangalorean
restaurants of Mumbai and partly of the gambas pil pil of Catalonia. This is another solid
bet at O’Pedro and was pure prawnography on a plate. The prawns were juicy
and not overcooked and with just the right hit of spices to pump them up a wee
bit.
spicy garlic prawns that we had that night which reminded me partly of the butter garlic prawns of the Mangalorean
restaurants of Mumbai and partly of the gambas pil pil of Catalonia. This is another solid
bet at O’Pedro and was pure prawnography on a plate. The prawns were juicy
and not overcooked and with just the right hit of spices to pump them up a wee
bit.
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Stuffed squids |
The stuffed squid dish that we ordered was pretty nice too. The squids were kept whole and the texture wasn’t too chewy. A sign of admirable cheffing prowess in the kitchen. The robust spicing added a life to the dish.
There
were some dishes that we didn’t think much of. The raw papaya kismur for
example and then the crispy pork chicharones, which here was more about the
crackling it seemed than meat. Different from the cubed pork belly that Meera and I had
had at her favourite tapas bar in London a few years back.
were some dishes that we didn’t think much of. The raw papaya kismur for
example and then the crispy pork chicharones, which here was more about the
crackling it seemed than meat. Different from the cubed pork belly that Meera and I had
had at her favourite tapas bar in London a few years back.
The
sourdough poiee that we ordered at O Pedro was a lot chewier than what had in Goa
a few weeks later which were regular poi of course. I recently had
poi that tasted like leather at Mumbai’s Goa Portuguesa which made me feel
that perhaps poi is perhaps best left to the poders (bakers) of the villages of Goa.
sourdough poiee that we ordered at O Pedro was a lot chewier than what had in Goa
a few weeks later which were regular poi of course. I recently had
poi that tasted like leather at Mumbai’s Goa Portuguesa which made me feel
that perhaps poi is perhaps best left to the poders (bakers) of the villages of Goa.
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Vindaloo ribs |
There
were a couple of dishes at O Pedro that left me a bit perplexed when I compared
them with what I had expected to be. One was the smoked pork ribs vindaloo. The slow cooked pork was indeed very tender but the spice palate of the dish here was a lot sweeter than one
associated with vindaloos one has had till date.
were a couple of dishes at O Pedro that left me a bit perplexed when I compared
them with what I had expected to be. One was the smoked pork ribs vindaloo. The slow cooked pork was indeed very tender but the spice palate of the dish here was a lot sweeter than one
associated with vindaloos one has had till date.
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O’Pedro’s take on Feijoada |
The other dish that was not what I expected it to be at O Pedro was the duck feijoada. Feijoada is dish which has travelled from Portugal and Brazil to Goa from what I am given to understand. Each country has its own version I am told but as far as I know the dish is about beans with pork added to it and was once meant to feed plantations workers, slaves and was essentially poor man’s food.
At O Pedro, they turned the dish on its head and made it all about duck which showed the chef’s culinary prowess no doubt but one could hardly see any whole beans in the dish. I use the word ‘see’, as the beans could have been mashed in.
The dish was as unrecognisable a feijoada to me as is the eggs kejriwal at their sister concern, The Bombay Canteen, compared to the ones that I have at the RBYC in Mumbai.
Coming to the
Watch:
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The Goan feijoada at Pousada by the Beach in Goa |
If
you had the feijoada without any context then it was a good dish but I feel
that the Syrian Christian duck curry that they do at Bombay Canteen, a very
different preparation of course, but where the duck seems to be rendered in a similar way, is a much
more memorable dish.
you had the feijoada without any context then it was a good dish but I feel
that the Syrian Christian duck curry that they do at Bombay Canteen, a very
different preparation of course, but where the duck seems to be rendered in a similar way, is a much
more memorable dish.
Just as is the Chettinad aglio olio prawns that I had at
the Bombay Canteen is compared to the butter garlic prawns at O Pedro.
the Bombay Canteen is compared to the butter garlic prawns at O Pedro.
Two very
different dishes of course but if there is one prawn dish I would recommend that you try, it would be the
one at Bombay Canteen. The spices are more intricate there as are the prawn flavours
rendered in by their adding in the heads of the prawns to infuse flavour to the
oil.
different dishes of course but if there is one prawn dish I would recommend that you try, it would be the
one at Bombay Canteen. The spices are more intricate there as are the prawn flavours
rendered in by their adding in the heads of the prawns to infuse flavour to the
oil.
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Syrian beef curry at The Bombay Canteen |
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Chettinad prawn aglio olio at Bombay Canteen |
Why
am I comparing two very different dishes from two different restaurants?
am I comparing two very different dishes from two different restaurants?
Simply
because as a customer that’s what I would do while deciding on where to go. We
do not look at options in isolation after all. That’s the thought behind conjoint analysis in market research after all.
because as a customer that’s what I would do while deciding on where to go. We
do not look at options in isolation after all. That’s the thought behind conjoint analysis in market research after all.
A peek into a mom’s kitchen at O Pedro
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Had to post this since my friend Rushina hand modelled patiently while I clicked this |
I
did want to go back to O Pedro and try out the more ‘conventional’ Goan
dishes. I got the opportunity to do soon after my first visit to the restaurant.
did want to go back to O Pedro and try out the more ‘conventional’ Goan
dishes. I got the opportunity to do soon after my first visit to the restaurant.
I happened to be
with my friend and fellow food writer, Rushina Munshaw Ghildiyal, in the
vicinity of the restaurant on a Sunday afternoon and decided to go to O’Pedro
for lunch once done with work.
with my friend and fellow food writer, Rushina Munshaw Ghildiyal, in the
vicinity of the restaurant on a Sunday afternoon and decided to go to O’Pedro
for lunch once done with work.
It
was around 2.30 pm so we didn’t have to wait for too long for a table and once
I settled down I realised that O Pedro in the afternoon was rather different
from what it is at night. It was not only more nice and bright and more cheerful and warm
then, but the ambient noise was more restrained and Rush and I could talk in peace
unlike what happened the night when Meera, K and I had come here at night.
was around 2.30 pm so we didn’t have to wait for too long for a table and once
I settled down I realised that O Pedro in the afternoon was rather different
from what it is at night. It was not only more nice and bright and more cheerful and warm
then, but the ambient noise was more restrained and Rush and I could talk in peace
unlike what happened the night when Meera, K and I had come here at night.
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Buff chilli. The food looks better in natural light of course |
We
started with the buff chilli fry that afternoon at O Pedro. The dish had the sharp punch
of pounded green chillies which gave an unrestrained, rustic, Goa shack-like touch to
it. The meat was a tad chewy too. This was more ‘earthy’ food, than refined
food.
started with the buff chilli fry that afternoon at O Pedro. The dish had the sharp punch
of pounded green chillies which gave an unrestrained, rustic, Goa shack-like touch to
it. The meat was a tad chewy too. This was more ‘earthy’ food, than refined
food.
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Aunty Beryl’s fish curry |
I
tried the fish curry (xodi) this time around. It’s called Aunty Beryl’s fish curry here. After chef
Floyd’s mother and the recipe is hers I am told. The orange coloured, grated
coconut based curry, with kokum berry (I am guessing) infused tanginess, reminded me of the
Goan fish curry at Candies which a Goan friend of mine with a strong point on food dotes on as does my Parsi mother in law.
tried the fish curry (xodi) this time around. It’s called Aunty Beryl’s fish curry here. After chef
Floyd’s mother and the recipe is hers I am told. The orange coloured, grated
coconut based curry, with kokum berry (I am guessing) infused tanginess, reminded me of the
Goan fish curry at Candies which a Goan friend of mine with a strong point on food dotes on as does my Parsi mother in law.
The curry at O Pedro was a tad sweeter and thicker than at Candies. The fish used here was snapper fillets
and in the best traditions of Goan curries that I have had in the past, the
taste of the curry dominated the dish than that of the fish. There was no attempt here to
change this concept, unlike in the feijoada where the duck and not the beans was the
hero at O’Pedro. We had the curry with Goan red rice. The fish was juicy and not over cooked at all.
and in the best traditions of Goan curries that I have had in the past, the
taste of the curry dominated the dish than that of the fish. There was no attempt here to
change this concept, unlike in the feijoada where the duck and not the beans was the
hero at O’Pedro. We had the curry with Goan red rice. The fish was juicy and not over cooked at all.
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Sorpotel with sannas |
The
other dish that I had here was the Goan pork sorpotel with sannas, the rice
flower based fermented idli like bread which is used to soak up the sauce. The pork
bits of the sorpotel were juicy and tender the way they should be in a good sorpotel. Once
again, as in the fish curry, the sorpotel was slightly sweeter and thicker than
other sorpotels that I have had, the Goan as well as the east Indian ones. Rushina,
who loved it, wondered if there was ketchup in it and the chef assured us that
it wasn’t as even I was a bit baffled.
other dish that I had here was the Goan pork sorpotel with sannas, the rice
flower based fermented idli like bread which is used to soak up the sauce. The pork
bits of the sorpotel were juicy and tender the way they should be in a good sorpotel. Once
again, as in the fish curry, the sorpotel was slightly sweeter and thicker than
other sorpotels that I have had, the Goan as well as the east Indian ones. Rushina,
who loved it, wondered if there was ketchup in it and the chef assured us that
it wasn’t as even I was a bit baffled.
To
me, the sorpotel and fish curry at O Pedro seemed more like what one would
expect in someone’s house than in a restaurant. Comforting but not too spicy, not something
that challenges your taste-buds or digestion.
me, the sorpotel and fish curry at O Pedro seemed more like what one would
expect in someone’s house than in a restaurant. Comforting but not too spicy, not something
that challenges your taste-buds or digestion.
Coming to the
point of this rambling post
I
just realised that I have been writing this post over about three weeks now
with travel and work coming in between. So I thought that I should sum up what
I am trying to say here, using my O Pedro experience as the context.
just realised that I have been writing this post over about three weeks now
with travel and work coming in between. So I thought that I should sum up what
I am trying to say here, using my O Pedro experience as the context.
1.
When
we sit down to eat, it is not just the food in front of us that defines our experience. It is
our past memories, and biases formed therefore, that sit with us too and impact
how we relate to a meal. The Museum of Memories as I like to call it. In my
case, it is New Martin in Colaba which sets the standard of what a Goan
restaurant should be. To someone else, it will be different. It is important however,
to acknowledge and state one’s bias though before expressing an opinion
When
we sit down to eat, it is not just the food in front of us that defines our experience. It is
our past memories, and biases formed therefore, that sit with us too and impact
how we relate to a meal. The Museum of Memories as I like to call it. In my
case, it is New Martin in Colaba which sets the standard of what a Goan
restaurant should be. To someone else, it will be different. It is important however,
to acknowledge and state one’s bias though before expressing an opinion
2. It
would be hard to define what is ‘authentic’ in any Indian cuisine and Goan food
is no exception. A few days after my O Pedro meals, I ate once again at the Mahim neighbourhood favourite, Goa
Portuguesa. The sorpotel there had more fire in its belly than that at O Pedro had and was
more spicy too. The fish curry using surmai at Goa Portuguesa was thinner and stronger on coconut
flavours. The issue of concluding on authenticity is further compounded by the fact that I am not Goan and hence trying to say how things ‘should be’ would be
very foolish of me. What one can safely conclude is that O Pedro opens your mind to the world of Goan food beyond vindaloo and…well, vindaloo!
would be hard to define what is ‘authentic’ in any Indian cuisine and Goan food
is no exception. A few days after my O Pedro meals, I ate once again at the Mahim neighbourhood favourite, Goa
Portuguesa. The sorpotel there had more fire in its belly than that at O Pedro had and was
more spicy too. The fish curry using surmai at Goa Portuguesa was thinner and stronger on coconut
flavours. The issue of concluding on authenticity is further compounded by the fact that I am not Goan and hence trying to say how things ‘should be’ would be
very foolish of me. What one can safely conclude is that O Pedro opens your mind to the world of Goan food beyond vindaloo and…well, vindaloo!
3. Pricing
is very contextual. Depends of not just the food but factors such as the
ambience, the produce used, skill of chefs, marketing, rent etc and one cannot
use price as a factor to compare an O Pedro with a New Martin. When eating at
an O Pedro, you have to compare it with restaurants in a similar genre in
Mumbai
is very contextual. Depends of not just the food but factors such as the
ambience, the produce used, skill of chefs, marketing, rent etc and one cannot
use price as a factor to compare an O Pedro with a New Martin. When eating at
an O Pedro, you have to compare it with restaurants in a similar genre in
Mumbai
4.
And
finally, when it comes down to food, I would still maintain than it comes down first to the quality of what is cooked that makes or mars a meal for me. Take that fish mousse at O Pedro for example. That didn’t need
any explanation or story once it was in your mouth to push it through. It was a sheer drama of
brilliance from there on and won our hearts.
And
finally, when it comes down to food, I would still maintain than it comes down first to the quality of what is cooked that makes or mars a meal for me. Take that fish mousse at O Pedro for example. That didn’t need
any explanation or story once it was in your mouth to push it through. It was a sheer drama of
brilliance from there on and won our hearts.
This brings me to the question that I want to ask you, can you isolate a meal from the trappings around it? Are we ever alone when we sit down to eat or do we are memories give us company?
Please write in and let me know what you feel on this and thanks for reading till the end.
I am so happy to finally press on the ‘publish’ icon!
Appendix:
Some more pictures of what was discussed in the post
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Sorpotel at Goa Portuguesa |
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Fish Curry at Goa Portugues |
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With Rushina and chef Hussein |
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With Rushina Munshaw Ghildayal at O Pedro |
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With Meera Sodha at O Pedro. Signing and giving me a copy of her book, Fresh India |
O Pedro Address:
Address: Unit No 2, Plot No C-68, Jet Airways – Godrej BKC,, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051
Menu: opedromumbai.com
Notes:
1. Our first meal for 3 at O Pedro cost Rs 3,900 with
no alcohol. The second for 2 cost Rs 1,800 with no alcohol. My meal at Goa
Portuguese soon after came to about Rs 2,000 per head. There were 8 of us. We
had alcohol and crabs too. The latter is always expensive.
no alcohol. The second for 2 cost Rs 1,800 with no alcohol. My meal at Goa
Portuguese soon after came to about Rs 2,000 per head. There were 8 of us. We
had alcohol and crabs too. The latter is always expensive.
The New Martin Hotel visit on Finely Chopped TV:
Read:
My earlier post on New Martin Hotel
A rather old post of mine featuring Goa Portuguesa