06 July,2009 09:33 AM IST | | Kasmin Fernandes
Chef-restaurateur Meldon da Cunha is giving Borivali a creative flavour of Portuguese khaana with Tavira. It gets our thumbs up for its eloquent chow, thoughtful service and comfy vibe
You can take a man out of Goa, but you can't take Goa out of Meldon da Cunha. His petite new restaurant Tavira is everything a little Portuguese eatery in Goa would be. Mario Miranda prints adorn the walls. Laminated ones on table covers describe the scenic Portuguese city that the eatery is named after. Waiters in sharp red and black uniforms conduct themselves with a languid swiftness between the al fresco and roofed tables. The unpretentious decor exudes such old-world charm, you'd be forgiven for thinking you are dining room at a colonial home.u00a0
Chef-restaurateur Meldon of Casa Soul Fry and Trafalgar Chowk fame, has drawn out of the Portuguese element of his hometown with this new eatery. So, ingredients like spaghetti, cheese, bacon, ham and peppers feature repeatedly. Instead of yuppie favourites Bandra or South Mumbai, Meldon moved further north, this time, to the IC Colony in Borivali. It's not the usual fare among restaurants in the neighbourhood, so they are starting slow, our attendant Elias explained when handing out the one-page menu. Don't forget to ask for what's on offer off the menu.
Tavira stood by its "simple, yet creative" tagline. The affable Elias tailored the dishes to our liking, and tossed some that weren't on the menu. For instance, the two delicious soups one with lemongrass, ginger, chicken and veggies for an under-the-weather friend, and another creamy concoction of mushroom and chicken. We recommend Garlic Toast (Rs 50) and Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich (Rs 70) for starters, followed by Beef Jeeram Meeram (Rs 130), Chicken Y Pimientos Verdes (Rs 130). The Penne with Mushrooms and Bacon in Bechamel Sauce (Rs 130) were the best; the ingredients' flavours stood out beautifully. On the flipside, the Prawn Piri Piri wasn't fiery, the spaghetti of the Mushrooms and Peppers in Lemon Butter Cream Sauce was chewy, and the Sizzling Brownie had too much caramel.
Chicken Y Pimentos Verdesu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Grilled Ham Cheese Sandwich
At:u00a0Sumit Co-op Housing Society, opposite last stop of 206 bus, IC Colony, Borivali (W).
Free home delivery.
Call: 32914374
Tavira didn't know we were there. The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals
