Escape the busyness of life and savour one delicious dish at a time at Masko Cafe in Porvorim which emulates the ambience of eateries along Goa’s tourist belt
SHERYL GONSALVES
Did you ever wish that there was a place in Goa’s bustling urban areas that had the same vibe as restaurants along the main tourist belt of the state? This is what Jatin Arora, the owner of Masko Cafe in Porvorim, had in mind while designing the establishment.
He pondered whether residents of Panaji, Porvorim, and Mapusa struggled to find dining options, given that most hotspots are located in areas like Candolim, Vagator, Anjuna, and Morjim. “I feel that the locals now want to go out and experiment with new kinds of food, but the choices given to them are very limited in urban areas,” says Arora. “There are small places which serve good food but we wanted to offer an ambience and a feel of a person going to Anjuna, Vagator, or Morjim, excluding the seafront. Our desire was to give people an open space to come, relax, chill, have their drinks, and enjoy a different line of food.”
Once an enchanting bungalow, Masko Cafe stands as a testament to preserving Goa’s charm amidst rapid urbanisation where old homes are often broken down, without a second thought. This is why Arora wanted to protect the place, only do minor renovations, and retain its rustic look. “I preserved the mango trees, coconut trees, and the jamun tree. Our sweet dishes are served with the same mangoes directly plucked from the trees. We have not harmed anything in nature. We have used nature as our guideline for the interiors of the place,” he says. “The covering we’ve installed is a specially designed insulated material that significantly reduces heat levels and diminishes noise levels.”
Another great aspect of Masko Cafe is its laid-back atmosphere. In fact, you are encouraged to take as much time as you want there. “Some people come at 11 a.m., and linger until 2 p.m., enjoying conversations while having fresh lime sodas, burgers, or coffee. Others simply come to unwind with a good book. I want that kind of a place, a very casual place,” says Arora.
Their menu is very trendy which features a combination of dishes from a couple of outlets in Mumbai. “The engine of the menu is our sizzlers. They come in generous portions and are pocket-friendly. We don’t want people coming only once a week or once a month. This is the reason behind the affordability of the dishes,” he says. Some of their bestsellers are their Parsi food which may increase from six to 15 dishes by next month. The mutton berry pulao which is loved by customers is aromatic and has pops of sweetness from raisins and caramelised onions which complements the meat. A chicken, egg, and vegetarian version will be introduced as well. The Afrikano chicken with bold flavours, featuring a harmonious balance of spices, is a must-try too. They also offer Asian food served in bowls, which come in hearty servings that most likely can’t be finished by one person alone.
Recognising that tourists typically have pre-planned itineraries and don’t usually venture into this area, being about 45 minutes away from the main tourist hub, Arora focused on catering to the domestic crowd and has even kept the nearby catering college in mind. The repeat customers are a testament that this place has something unique to offer. Hosting more events and birthday parties is one of the future plans for the cafe.
In a nutshell, Masko Cafe is much more than just a dining destination. It’s a testament that nature can be preserved if you put your mind to it, a city area can be quiet and laid-back, and that good food with an enchanting ambience doesn’t have to be over-priced.
