ITP Indian Travel Places: Food, Travel, Tourism Business Events and Trade Shows
Phone: +91 7400092996, 022 26602955
Address: 1st Floor, Hotel Royal Garden, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu, Mumbai, Maharashtra India
Time: 12 Noon – 4 PM, 7 PM – 1:30 AM
Meals for two: Rs. 2,500
Cuisines: Goan, Seafood, BBQ
Facilities: Full Bar Available, Smoking Area, Valet Parking Available, Outdoor Seating, Indoor Seating
I’m a Goa-buff. My first ever long article (when I was working as deputy commissioner with the Income Tax in 1981) was about Goan restaurants: dining with the legendary Gines Viegas in O’Coqueiro, hanging about at Martin’s in Baga beach and so on. The lustily spiced fish Rechiados, chunky chaunak fish, soft poiees, salty sea breezes swaying and waltzing with the palm trees worked wild magical charm. I went back several times to shoot my TV show at La Plage in Morjim beach, whizzing around on motorcycle taxis through markets with the great chef Urbano Rego Cruz and studied and feasted on Goan food in all it’s glory. We would return three times a year atleast. Not any more. It’s too traffic and concrete infested now. And I miss Goa and Goan food. Then along comes the House of Lloyd.
The Goan Candolim beach, House of Llyod, (in a 150-year-old bungalow) popped up on the first floor of a Juhu building. And living close by in their own beautiful sea facing bungalow, gourmet globe trotting couple Amrita and Richard Koszarek, are regulars here. And over a fun dinner, we eat our way through the menu.
House of Lloyd, Juhu, Mumbai: Decor
House of Lloyd is perched on top of the charming Grandmama’s cafe (both owned by enterprising Abhayraj Kohli). Walk up the stairs and whoosh! The blue-and-white azulejo tiles, al fresco bar, Mario Miranda illustrations, nostalgic black and white pictures swirl with Goan charm. The 3,000-square-feet space (kudos) Jannat Vasi delights with it’s bright yellow and sea blue hues. And the retro music magnifies the charm.
House of Lloyd, Juhu, Mumbai: Food
Perfectly and vibrantly soured with tamarind and just the right consistency, coconut infused prawn curry comes up tops. As does the charcoal kissed, sparkled with cane vinegar, thick succulent pork chop. The surprise are the soft and tasty Chicken pan rolls (Lloyd’s mother Celia’s recipe). Plenty for vegetarians, each dish tastes and looks different, be it the soft pillows of potato Gnochi with Rechaido masala or the robustly spiced strifry of banana flower, tendli, coconut, and black channa. Must ask for the VFM thali (Rs. 800), crab, prawn curry, bombil, bibinca Icecream. Wobbly soft, velvety delight… the caramel custard. But the absolute masterpiece is the creamy, biscuittysawdust enriched Serradura dessert. Perfect sweet finale to a great meal.
House of Lloyd, Juhu, Mumbai: Minus Points
No feni? In a Goan restaurant. Blame the regulations but we feel deprived. One of my most favorite dishes Xacuti (the most perfect one used to be in Panjim’s Mandovi Hotel) swims with too much masala here. And the other favourite Goan bread Poee is too dry and leathery here. As is the bread pudding, which could do with less sweet and more moistness. Overspicy Chorizo. More choice in seafood please… especially the Chonak fish.
House of Lloyd, Juhu, Mumbai: My Point
Goa weaves it’s magic in Juhu. It all started over two decades ago (in Goa of course) when Celia Braganza and her son Lloyd cooked up a place known for its home style cooking and welcoming warmth. And it’s Goa once more… Juhu’s House of Lloyd, with it’s charming cane furniture, potted plants, Mario Miranda murals and retro music, sets the perfect stage for the authentic flavours of Goa. Thanks Mama Celia. Husband and wife Lloyd and Nerissa Braganza… we’re Goan crazy happy!
