The Sushegad Life (2)

Review: Sushegad Gomantak

Once in a while you discover an unassuming restaurant that makes you want to kiss the chef’s hands. Sushegad Gomantak is one of those. Owned & managed by a mother and son duo, the chef here is the mother – a lady who seemed to be in her mid 50’s.

My boss, a proud Goan, decided to treat me and a few other colleagues to this place. A stout man, my boss has had access to the best of ‘Goan’ food in his life so if he recommends something I’ll go with it blindly. But that is only limited to ‘Goan’ food, his choices for other things? Well let’s not get there, high possibilities of me losing my job

A hole in the wall, Sushegad Gomantak barely can accommodate 20 people at one time. With the famous Sneha (Mallu cuisine) & Kakori House as its neighbours this place may just go unnoticed.

My boss begins talking to the lady in full Konkani while ordering our food. It’s quite amusing to hear this man, who yells at the top of his lungs in office, to speak in this saccharine tone. I savour the moment; it’s very rare after all!

Rava Prawns

We begin with the Rava Prawns – a traditional goan delicacy, these are simply batter fried prawns. You can’t go wrong with this and aunty does full justice.

Tisrya Masala

We move on to the Tisrya Masala – clams cooked in freshly ground spicy coconut masala. Finger-licking goodness!

Stuffed Bombil

We move on to the Stuffed Bombil – This is the best I have ever tasted. Bombil batter fried in rava and stuffed with some really delicious masala. This is a #MuseMustEat

Prawn Cutlets

We then had the Prawn Cutlets – melt in the mouth patties of shrimp. Again yummy in my tummy!

Prawn Curry

Crab Masala

We ended the meal with Prawn Curry and Crab Masala  – both flavoured with the tanginess of kokum and the balminess of coconut. Pair these with bhakri (rice flour pancakes/dosas), Vade (multigrain puris) or just some steamed rice and you will know no other love. Eat it with your hands and experience the myriad of flavours with all your senses.

The Co-ordinates

Sushegad Gomantak

Shop No. A 11, Shiv Sagar Society, L J Road, Mahim, Opposite Paradise Cinema, Mumbai

02224445555

No Credit/Debit Cards facility

Goan Cuisine, Seafood

Fishy Business

Review: Fresh Catch

Hidden away in what I would call ‘patli galli’ next to the Mahim station is this traditional Goan eatery called ‘Fresh Catch’. A board hangs there claiming ‘Gems of the Kokan Belt Cuisine’. Is it? Well we are about to find out. Also placed outside is a pelican with fish tale hanging out of its mouth. Cute! In a wierd way. Crowded and chattery with only about 6 tables, it starts almost where it ends. We wait for a while till we are guided to small table with traditional cloth mats.

Right opposite is the wall hanging with alot of media cut outs of all the reviews written. Think I missed this big time because I have never heard of this place and had to wait for this cute couple, I have befriended some time ago to introduce me to this place. The stout man in the photo’s comes to take are orders. He seems to be the owner and has had the privilege click pictures with Sachin (twice!), Busy bee and quite a few others!

Prawn Rechad

We open the menu, a mix goan Konkani dishes listed. I let the couple order- We order for Prawn Rechado – beautifully spiced shrimps that are soft and yet give you that crunch in your mouth. Impressed. The other dishes are suggested by the man in the photos/owner, Crab Butter Garlic- good but I prefer eating it with shell, this was the meat culled out and served. Next Calamari Chilli Fry – yum yum yum! Usually am not a very big fine of calamari but this one was not the chewy gummy kind, just beautiful soft rings. We had the Bombil Fry – crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside just like it should be, Grilled Rawas- soft succulently grilled fish that just melts in your mouth, the Clam Sukka – clams cooked in delicious masala and grated coconut. Slurp.

Clams Sukka

For the mains we order the Pomfret Rossa Curry and Neer Dosa- again delectable flavours, not too spicy, just right. I think to myself while I sit back and savour the meal, a satisfied grin on my face, how do only few restaurants get it right? The big launches, celebrity parties and all the hoopla, all in vain! Only a few restaurants get that. They get the fact that simplistic and true flavours and are the ones that really satisfy people. Fresh Catch definitely is one of them.

Pomfret Rossa

For desserts we have the Caramel Custard, the humble owner accepts that he likes the one at Britannia better. All we do is smile and savour the perfect end to the perfect meal.

A meal at Fresh Catch would cost anywhere between Rs 650 per head

Verdict:

Food: Yummy

Ambience: Simple

Service: Helpful

Quick Tip: Simple & true flavours. One of the best sea food restaurants in my opinion. Must have the Prawn Rechad & Calamari Chilli Fry.

Just by the way Culinary recommended this restaurant in Rashmi Uday Singh’s Bombay Times column, here is the piece.

The Co-ordinates:

Fresh Catch

Where: Lt. Kotnis Marg, Near Fire Brigade, Off L.J. Road, Mahim West, Mumbai

Tring Tring: 022 24448942, 022 32968981

Timings: 10am-3pm; 6pm -12midnight

Food Type: Seafood, Goan, Konkan

Payment Methods: Credit cards accepted