Thalassa

There was a post earlier of the myriad tastes of Goa but in the various details of travel, the individual sort of got lost in the telling. So, this post is my attempt to do justice to this place by the sea - Thalassa. And apologies in advance if I tend to wax lyrical for a few extra paragraphs. I visited the place with my sister. We had taken a few days to gallivant around Goa. On that particular day, we had left early in the morning to travel our way around North Goa. As my sister likes to say - we travelled from Aguarda to Ashwen in a 9 to 5 frame. It was exhausting and absolutely exhilirating. We basically biked through all these places  - me at the wheel and my sister at the back google maps at the ready. It was a huge accomplishment. I dont think I have found a place anywhere in India where it has been  easy for a couple of women to travel around by themselves. And this is what I loved about Goa. We saw forts and their breathtaking views, we saw beaches and lost count of the number, we strolled around Anjuna Market - the beads and strings thrumming slightly at the wind coming in from the beach below, we went on a boat ride right into the ocean and saw dolphins gliding in the ocean water.  In the middle of all that we braked for a glass of chilled Kokum soda and toasted chutney and vegetable sandwiches. By the time we made it back to the room and get dressed - we were suntanned and pleasantly tired. But nothing would make us change into comfy pyjamas and just sleep our way to the next day. 

The view from Chapora Fort, Vagator, Goa

So we got dressed and were off. The time we arrived the sun was already touching the water. We made our way through the cobbled path passing the small shop, doors named after Greek gods[they mispelled Poseidon] and an exhibition of seafood on offer today. Finally we came to the restaurant - square tables with wicker chairs. The staff was placing lit candles on the tables. There was a crowd already their eyes glued to the sunset on the other side. And that is when you realize that the place is set on a low cliff and all you can see for miles is the darkening sea. We were ecstatic. As soon as we sat down the candle was placed and menus handed to us. And there were some really good ones. My only regret is that we could not eat our way through the many selections on the menu.

What my sister loved was the vegetarian options in the menu. She is a hard core vegetarian and her mission in life is to find places that serve good options that is not meat. And that is one of the attractions of the place. We ordered Mushroom Saganaki and a shot of Ouzo for starters. The Ouzo was aniseed flavored and warmed your throat as you shot it down and muttered an Opa under your breath. It puts you in a good mood and prepares your palate for the meal to come. In the next fifteen minutes the saganaki is placed in front of you with crusty bread drizzled with olive oil. Ravenous after our all day outing we broke chunks of bread, dippped into the saganaki sauce  and literally gobbled it down. We followed it with spoonfuls of mushrooms and melted Feta. It was pretty darn good. The flavors - the combination of feta, chili, garlic, mushrooms and tomatoes - was so complex and delicious with toasty bread.

 The appetizer was followed by Veg Souvlaki for my sister and Chicken Gyros for myself. Neither of us have a huge appetite. We cannot just keep on eating and eating. For us small portions are all we can manage. And the plates that they give are enormous. The Veg Souvlaki came wrapped in foil with lemony potato wedges, herb salad, pita triangles and tzatziki. The souvlaki was tender skewers of marinated paneer, onions, peppers and tomatoes. Mixing with wedges and the crunch of the salad it was an absolutely gorgeous medley of tastes. The Gyros, on the other hand, was a heaped plate of lemon, oregano roasted chicken, pita bread, tomato and onion salad, fries and tzatziki as well. You spread a pita triangle with tzatziki, put some chicken on top and take a huge mouthful. The crunch of the bread, combined with the yoghurt-herb dip and the melt-in-your-mouth chicken - I will remember that taste for a long time. The dish of the evening was definitely the Tzatziki - this was a yoghurt dip flavored with dill, cucumber, garlic and pepper. It highlighted both the meals so well. We were just dipping our pita bread or our potatoes in the dip and savoring its fresh herby tastes.

The platters were huge especially for the both of us. We barely mangaed to finish the food - we were so utterly full and were in no position to order anything else. I know that the next time I am in town I am going back to the desserts that they have on offer. The moon was high in the air above the rustling coconut trees. The sea was dark and the wind was starting to cool around us. It was time to leave and put the evening into our permanent memory boxes. So book a flight a Goa and find this place in North Goa and enjoy the comforts of a Greek evening.

Location: Thalassa, Vagator Beach, North Goa

What to try: Everything mentioned aboved, Also try the spanakorizo, spanakopita on offer

Rating: 4.5/5