Author: Food and Travel Secrets

The very best curry – Fish Cafreal, Calangute, Goa

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Following in the footsteps of Rick Stein on the quest for the best curry in India….we found it! (Or at least, it was our best).
The Fish Cafreal (for about $AUS5) at a small eatery on a corner under the Plantain Leaf in Calangute, Goa, was a winner.
As Plantain Leaf nearby is in noted in Lonely Planet Guides (their top pick, worth a look too for thalis), it is easy to find, very well run, great value…and delicious.
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Cafreal is a dish that was introduced to Goa by the Portuguese from their  colonies in the Africa. The sauce ingredients include fresh coriander, onion, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, pepper, chilli, mace, cloves and lime juice.

A Canberra Street Food Tour – a great group summer idea

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Exploring street food specialties is one of the most enjoyable foodie travel activities. So why not try the same idea back home?

This way of sharing food together offers variety, value, an opportunity to learn about foods from other cultures, a short stroll between courses and some interesting conversations with eatery staff. But more than that, the ‘progressive dinner’ nature of the meal mixes everyone up each time the group moves, so there’s a chance to chat with more people. It’s a great idea for groups wanting to get to know each better.

Tips for organising a successful street food tour include:
1. Choose warm evenings if sitting at tables outdoors.
2. Choose spots with a BYO licence and low corkage (as you will pay this more than once).
3. Avoid busy nights and stick with eateries where you don’t need to book. (It is hard to predict exactly what time you will arrive and it can be frustrating for staff who are expecting to cater for a whole meal if you only are wanting to order one course.)
4. Pick places where you can come and go easily.
5. Plan to share dishes so that everyone can eat a number of courses but still be comfortable.
6. But do also plan to order sufficient at each spot to justify the use of crockery. (Paying corkage is helpful to cover the use of wine glasses).
7. Estimate the cost per person and keep a kitty to pay from at each venue.
8. Include the cost of wine and corkage. It can be helpful to buy and bring the wine for the group.
9. Leave a tip.

Suggested Canberra City Street Food Itinerary

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Entree:
iPho, Garema Place – Vietnamese fresh spring roll $2.50 each ($5 for two, must be bought in pairs). Corkage $3 per bottle wine.
(Allow $3.25 per person) (Open late)

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Main:
Global Cafe, Northbourne Ave – Ethiopian Injera bread with Meat and vegetable combination Wat $18.90 per serve (share one between 3 people, includes extra Injera and rice). Corkage free.
(Allow $6.30 per person) (Open until 8-8:30pm).

(On a Wednesday, the Roller and tap beer/cider special at the Treehouse is hard to beat for $10).

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Dessert:
Thirst, West Row – Modern Thai Street Food – homemade sorbet ($2.90 per scoop), coffee/tea $3.90, salted plain or peanut caramel $1 (or 80c with a hot drink).
(Allow $7. 60 per person) (open until 9:30pm)

Total $17.15 per person (not including cost of wine or tips)

On Red, Red Hill Lookout, Canberra

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On Red has an undeniably outstanding view over Canberra and it’s hard to beat for a great setting.
It also helpfully offers a wide range of smaller entree sized serves, designed ‘for you to ‘build your own’ tasting menu’.
The options are three $67, four $78 or five $89 dishes.
However, while dishes sound interesting and creative flavours are not as outstanding as other similarly priced top Canberra restaurants.

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Onred on Urbanspoon

Pickled Octopus, Tuross, South Coast NSW

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The Pickled Octopus  at Tuross is a true South Coast favourite. Offering both casual fish and chips and BYO (cheap corkage) down by the water , under the verandah, if you go early as well as a la carte dining (BYO corkage $10) upstairs. Great views where ever you decide to eat.

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Pride Of The Catch BBQ’D w’ Chefs Sauce Salad & Chips

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BBQ Pickled Baby Octopus Marinated w’ Chilli & Garlic    Sesame Crusted Tempura Prawns w’ Honey & Soy

Cork Street Gallery Cafe, Gundaroo

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Cork Street Gallery Cafe in Gundaroo is a lovely spot for lunch on a sunny day.

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The gourmet pizzas are good value and have a gorgeous thin crust. (Half and half toppings available.)

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BYO only and corkage is low.

The setting and atmosphere is relaxed, casual and child -friendly.
Great pick for a weekend lunch and worth the drive (39km from Canberra).

(25% discount for Entertainment Book holders).

Cork Street Gallery Cafe on Urbanspoon

Casa Anjuna, Goa – sleeping

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This converted Portuguese mansion offers four types of rooms, each with it’s own charm.

1. Standard rooms start at $108 in the low season and are lovely. (Casa Special Rooms)

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Room 7 (A block first floor, overlooking the front garden)

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Room 6 (A block first floor, overlooking the front garden)

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Room 9 (A block first floor, no balcony)

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Room 8 (A block first floor, no balcony)

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Garden rooms G1 & G2 are in a bungalow in the front garden and share a common entry.

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Pool rooms 1&2 are in a bungalow next to the pool. P1 is opposite the restaurant.

2. Luxury Rooms (Casa Favourite) start at $122 in the low season

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Room 1 (Ground floor A block) has a lovely verandah onto the front garden but could lack privacy in the busy season.

Room 2 is at the other end of the verandah and is also a luxury room.

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Room 4 has a lovely verandah, but it looks on to the restaurant.

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Room 10 (first floor A block) has access to two nice shared areas with Room 11.

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Room 11 (first floor A Block)

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Room B1 (ground floor B Block)

 

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Room B2 (Ground floor) B Block

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Room B3 (first floor B Block)

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Room B4 (first floor in B Block)

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Room 12 (A Block second/top floor, overlooking back garden) next to suites.

3. Suites (Casa Luxury) (A Block second/top floor, overlooking the pool/back garden) start at $222 low season

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Shared areas on top floor A Block (shared by Room 12, Mango Suite, Palm Suite)

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Mango Suite (lots of room, but not as charming as other rooms).

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Palm Suite (more charm than Mango Suite, and lots of room).

Also in the Suite category is…..

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Room B5 (Ground floor B Block)                     (Opposite Room 1 in A Block)

and…

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Penthouse suite (top floor B Block) has lots of room, and a kitchen.

My favourites were the Luxury Rooms (Casa Favourites) Rooms 1&2, on the ground floor of A Block as they have the lovely verandahs overlooking the front garden and are close to the shared areas. (But they would lack privacy in the busy season). Room 4 on the ground floor near the restaurant in A block is nice in very low season if it’s quiet (but otherwise would be very public).

The Standard (Casa Special) Garden Rooms are lovely, private and over look the front garden. They are ideal for two couples who are travelling together as they have a shared entrance area.

Luxury Rooms  (Casa Favourites) Rooms 1,2,3& 4 in B Block are also very nice (and could be more private than rooms in A Block), but are away from the restaurant and shared areas.

Standard (Casa Special) Rooms 6& 7  in A Block on the first floor, are also nice (7 has a great bathroom) and have small balconies overlooking the front garden. Room 6 nearby is also nice with plenty of room, but no balcony.

The Suites are not very attractive (but the Palm Suite is the best as it does have a four poster bed.) However, there’s lots of room if you need to fit in an extra bed.

Standard (Casa Special) Room 5 on the ground floor of A block has a verandah like Room 4, that overlooks the pool but is more private. It is near the restaurant and could be busy. Room 3 in A Block is on the ground floor at the bottom of the stairs and probably not very desirable.

 

 

Public Bar Dining, Manuka – a quick look

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The Public is a good spot for a meal with friends or a drink, but does get busy and noisy. Two for one pizza night on Mondays is good value.

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Moroccan Lamb Pizza $22

Salt & pepper squid salad $21 Shredded iceberg, fresh chilli, crisp basil & nam jim dressing

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Slow cooked lamb $23 With quinoa tabouli, mint yoghurt, fresh pomegranate & pistachio crumble

Burger $20

Public @ Manuka on Urbanspoon

Casa Anjuna, Goa – eating

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The garden setting restaurant at Casa Anjuna serves meals, snacks and drinks throughout the day (very handy if it’s rainy).

The room tariff includes a generous breakfast with both western and delicious Indian options.

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Besan ka cheela                                                  Goan pao

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Aloo Paratha

The lunch and dinner offer a range of classic Goan dishes and are a good option if you want to eat in.

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Chicken Xacuti and Kuchumber salad

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Prawn curry & rice                         Prawn vindaloo

 

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Fish Masala Rava Fry                                       Marsala papad

 

Asian foodie travel – what to pack

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Pack lightly and plan to wash and wear, to leave plenty of room to fit in shopping. Metallicus stores have great, quick drying, no iron mix and match pieces  that roll up to almost nothing, often on sale. Join the loyalty club at no cost and get $15 off a shop each month that you spend at least $1. Rinse clothes out each night in the basin, using soap/bath gel/shampoo provided, wringing out well, laying flat in a towel, rolling it up and twisting it. Hang clothes on clothes hangers in air conditioning and they will be dry by morning.

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Women

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Men

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Add sunscreen, insect spray (Bushman’s), alcohol hand rub, camera, phone, iPad/tablet/power plug adapter, toiletries, underwear, makeup, hairdryer, ear plugs, first aid kit (consult your own medical practitioner for your individual specific needs, but ask about medications for treating gastroenteritis and cold and flu (and preventing malaria)) also documents including e-ticket, passport, visa, booking confirmation print outs, insurance details, money, ATM cards if using, small change purses.

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A 70 Litre backpack with wheels and daypack/ small bag is ideal. (Kathmandu has some good options when they are on sale.)

It’s a good idea to pack essential items and a change of clothes in carry-on luggage in case checked-in baggage is delayed.

Also consider packing a light extra bag that packs thinly, to carry-on extra shopping or fragile items on the way home.