Lunch at this 100-year old Goan Villa by the Lake – Amrapali House of Grace

Goa always surprises with hidden restaurants and my latest find, Amrapali House of Grace, is proof of that.

For years, I’ve passed by this 100-year-old villa on the way to the airport (and on countless trips to South Goa). Everyone has, even you, if you stay in Goa! And like me, I’m sure you envied the residents of this Goan Villa – with their drive-way being lined with shady trees and their verandah on one side of the house, just in line with a quiet, natural pond, the perfect spot to stand if you’d like to go fishing! During Christmas Season, it is hard to miss since a floating crib (Nativity Scene) is set on a little platform (or is it a raft?) on the lake.

About Amrapali House of Grace

I found out only recently, that what I thought was someone’s private residence is actually a small boutique hotel and restaurant! And that it’s not just the residents of the house who could admire its architecture and drink tea overlooking their own private pond touching the compound wall – but you, me, and everyone looking for something to do, but tired of the same beaches, pubs and restaurants in Goa

My first impression of this immaculately-maintained mansion was that it was almost like a time-capsule! Verdant gardens, pink blossoms, birds splashing in the lily pond that take to flight as honking cars zoom by on the street, and this rose-colored daydream of a maor that has its aged charm intact. This enchanting property makes for a remarkably peaceful escape, be it for a meal or for a stay in Goa, in contrast to the frenetic pace of beach-side properties. And thanks to its wonderful, convenient location, it can be easily slotted into any itinerary.

Its century-old façade may lead you to believe that the interiors pay homage to the distinct Goa-Portuguese architecture and décor, like the Menezes Braganze House. But make no mistake, there is a definite dichotomy between the Portuguese-Goan architecture with vintage collectibles that can only be possessed by an avid antique collector, and chic-minimal décor such as mini cacti in tiny bronzed pots on the table and bulbs set beside plants that hang over the counter.

The cafe

Amrapali Café in Goa Velha is definitely an Insta-worthy spot in Goa! Tall windows overlook the lush garden on one end, and on the other, open up to the verandah blowing with warm afternoon breeze from the lake. A display case shows off an array of delicate-looking pastries, while plush-looking coloured stools and and a leafy wall mural make this place an absolute treat, not just to the palette, but also for the eyes. The entire café is tastefully splashed with muted colours, keeping in mind even the minutest of details.

The food

This simple, sophisticated spot lets the fare speak for itself. With a concise but well-curated menu to choose from, I picked the pesto pasta and risotto (with two kinds of fillings!) And for dessert, I opted for the brownie and the strawberry cake. The risotto duo, in my opinion, was impeccable and truly warmed the belly, but the taste of the pesto pasta could get monotonous if you don’t have anything else to alternate with. Dessert-wise, too, I thought the brownie was a quite dense and looked richer than it tasted, but the strawberry cake made up for it in lightness and freshness of the fruit layered within.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jade (@thatgoangirl) on Jun 27, 2019 at 8:01am PDT

It’s definitely a place I’d return to, being such a serene spot in Goa to enjoy a long-drawn meal. Of course, catching up with friends here over coffee sounds ideal, as it isn’t crowded and the view is worth sharing. Follow me on Instagram to check out some of my pictures of Amrapali – House of Grace, but mark my words, nothing will quite prepare you for the romantic charm of this stunning restaurant in Goa.

Some other great places in Goa that I’ve tried out over the last couple of weeks are Peep Kitchen and Tamari, both in Panjim. Let me know if you have any other restaurants you’d like me to review next! Bye for now!