#blahvsfood goes to Spice Traders at The W, Goa

 

The team at the W invited us to check out their Asian restaurant Spice Traders leading to a really happy, really filling and really satisfying lunch. 

Katafi prawn with Kasundi and galangal

Malai prawns 

More than the Asian food, what I loved was the food that mixes Asian and Bengali elements that the chef Konaark Sharma will soon be introducing to the menu. A malai prawn with bird eye chilli and a katafi prawn that had Kasundi with galangal, lemongrass and chilli were both creative and surprisingly coherent. 

The chef’s use of seasoning is perfect for the tourists from Mumbai and Delhi that will order mountains of the Chonqing chicken and and Tamarind tofu though I actually think the lighter dishes like the Japanese style tuna truffle pizza were the real gems. The sashimi faces the challenges that all Indian restaurants besides Megu and Wabi Sabi do in terms of freshness but that’s not a function of the restaurant as much as it’s the result of sourcing challenges in our country so my advice is stick the the stuff that the chef has worked on and you’ll find that whether it’s the grandmother or the teenager, everyone will be happy with their meal. 

The chonqing chicken is a big crowd pleaser 

The Japanese style pizzas are a highlight 

I also wanted to highlight the drinks by Kshitij Goel who has cut his teeth learning from some of India’s leaders in the bar world. This guy makes wonderful, balanced drinks, both classic and inventive. He has energy and dynamism and creativity but knows the importance of not over engineering a drink. A bar talent to watch out for. 

Final word on the GM, Tanveer Kwatra. At age 34 he is probably the youngest GM in the country. A former chef, he is bright, innovative and he just gets how luxury is evolving. Under his guidance, the W could end up being the first 5 star resort in India that understands the needs of a younger luxury traveler who seeks something more contemporary. 

Japanese style fried rice 

- Chonqing chicken

- Malai prawns

- Tamrind tofu

- Katafi prawns

- Tofu carpaccio

- Sashimi platter

- Ahi ahi(tuna roll)

- Sake sake (salmon roll)

- California roll

- Tuna nigri

- Unagi nigri

- Pepper pizza

- Tuna truffle pizza

- Duck Chahan 

- Hargaw

- Chicken chestnut dimsum

- Gyoza veg and chicken

- Duck and cherry dim sum

- Truffle edmame dimsum