Joecons Garden

Critic´s Review

• Food: 3.5 / 5
• Service: 3 / 5
• Decor: 3.5 / 5

-By Odette Mascarenhas

'Foodtainment' is the apt word to describe the experience here. Miguel Rodrigues has created a concept of sorts which would find few competitors… food, entertainment, pricing and ambience, the Goa of yore. It starts at the entrance with three big statues blowing away the trumpets. And then you are in an open-air garden with beautiful landscaping. To have the refreshing garden ambience and still maintain the cool effect, his restaurant boasts of being the first to tie up with an Italian company to blow mist (a water spray) which brings down the humidity in the restaurant. He does not like ACs for they spoil the open-air effect. His wife Succorina still helps maintain the 'traditional' touch by making the masalas at home. He was in the fishing business…he still is - his trawler gets in the fresh catch of the day. Start with the Loos Calamari - the squid is tossed in spring onion, garlic and red chillies; the seasoning is light so as to bring out the flavour of the fish. Another 'fusion' preparation is the mouth-watering Greeny Prawns - a mix of the Goan and the Oriental, coriander with a touch of those Chinese herbs. The cooking is unique. The dish marinated in spices is put on a tray and then placed in a wood-fire oven (very similar to pizza ovens). The wood from the tamarind tree imparts its own smoky flavour to the dish. Unlike other restaurants that cook on gas or electricity, his preparations have the old authenticity of taste and flavour. And as you sit in the garden, the cooling mists create a hill station effect, and the live entertainment is a boost to your spirits. Remember the new mantra in town: 'Foodtainment at Joecons.'