Authentic food, authentic beach experience
Mostly Goan Beach Shack food
Atmospherics: I think it is safe to say that this resto-bar has the most distinctive interiors in the NCR. It has been done up to resemble a section of a Goan beach with cane chairs placed on real sand, a fantastic play-list that includes Portuguese music that you hear in select beach shacks across Goa, quirky accessories and a wall-to-ceiling screen displaying a visual of Baga Beach that has apparently been shot over eight hours, complete with tourists strolling down for a swim and attendants arranging beach beds. You can watch the sights for hours together: there is no frenzied movement in the panorama, so it is eminently relaxing. Their signature cocktail is Bloody Mary infused with smoked chorizo. The music is loud throughout operating hours, and it is specifically aimed at a fun occasion for the young crowd.
Food: Choose carefully and the food will be as authentic as anything you’ll get in Goa. Every beach shack has its own mix of what customers want and what the kitchen does well, and Lady Baga is no different. So, expect sandwiches, curries and fried seafood with red masala, because it is true to type of a beach shack. Prawns with love (Rs 675) is a fairly authentic prawn curry (fresh coconuts are almost never used in the NCR and the quality of (usually frozen) prawns is as far removed as can be from the coastal norm, but with red rice, it works well thanks to the spices. It is the same for the fish recheado masala (Rs 550) that would be used on a whole mackerel in Goa, where the fattiness in the fish would be counterpointed by the red masala, ground down with toddy vinegar. This version has a large darne of surmai instead. Ros omelette (Rs 275) is a roadside cart standby near bus stops in Goa. Any curry with an omelette, served with a pao can be called ros omelette and the Lady Baga version is lip-smacking, besides being the least expensive item on the menu. The chorizo pulao (Rs 475) is deliciously smoky because of the sausage and is highly recommended.
Plus and minus: No natural light here, mobile signals are weak (but good free wi-fi). The vegetarian section of the menu is no short of bizarre: paneer and broccoli in Goa?
Must try: Acid test cocktail, clam and bacon risotto, kokum brulee
Food: 3.50; Décor: 3.50; Service: 3.00
1st & 2nd floors, P-3/90 Connaught Circus (opp Rivoli Cinema)
Tel: 8130656644, 41500170
Open from 12 noon to 12 midnight
Alcohol served; credit cards accepted
Meal for two: Rs 2,500
