Sinead McManus
In the centre of Panaji city, there’s a place that has satiated cravings for authentic Pan-Asian food for a decade now. It’s been 10 years since Tamari at Vivanta, Panaji opened the doors to the taste of sushi in Goa, and the food just keeps getting better.
The ambience here is peaceful and relaxing, an excellent getaway from the hubbub of the city just outdoors. It’s the perfect place to enjoy anything from a working lunch to a weeknight dinner treat.
Only last year, Tamari introduced a special Vietnamese selection to its menu, following excellent response to a food festival showcase at the hotel. There are also flavours from Thailand, China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Led by Chef Preshnev R, the team works hard to give you that superlative standard of hospitality that Taj is so famous for. You couldn’t really go wrong with any choice here at Tamari, but there are a few dishes on the menu that really stand out.
The homemade wonton soup is well put together, with the little lumps of meat encased in beautifully translucent wrap. The wok is one of the most versatile cooking dishes in Asian cuisine. Here at Tamari, the chefs make magic with it using the humble potato. The wok-tossed chilli potato has all the right combinations of lemongrass, ginger, garlic, sweet and spice.
The wild honey sesame crispy chicken and Hunan-style spicy sliced pork with grilled vegetables and butter garlic prawns are excellent choices for mains. They pair beautifully with egg fried rice and the quintessential golden fried prawns with Asian dipping sauces.
Other highlights from Tamari’s varied menu include barbeque spare ribs, kung pao chicken and crab dim sum. The chefs go to great lengths to present impeccably put together dishes - one of the cutest is the piggy-inspired pork baos with little ears, nose and eyes.
Pan-Asian cuisine is taking Goa by storm but there are few places that make everything from sushi to tom yum with such authenticity and class.
