THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
From the iconic dal baati churma to the indulgent safed maas and crispy pyaaz kachori, Café Mira in Miramar is inviting food lovers on a culinary journey with its specially curated Rajasthani Mini Fest.
Rajasthani flavours arrive
The limited-time festival continues Café Mira's tradition of showcasing regional Indian cuisines, offering guests a taste of authentic Rajasthani flavours through a thoughtfully designed menu that balances authenticity with accessibility.
For owner Radhika Timblo, the festival reflects the café's larger vision of celebrating India's rich culinary diversity.
"India is so diverse in its food. Every state has its own regional fare, and right from the inception of Café Mira, we have tried to bring different foods from different states to Goa," she said.
Over the years, Café Mira has hosted food festivals celebrating Gujarati, Maharashtrian, Bengali, Punjabi and Kerala cuisines. Rajasthan, she said, remained one of the few states yet to be explored.
"I said, this time let's bring Rajasthan to Goa. Obviously, I can't represent the entire state or every regional speciality, but I have curated a menu that gives diners a sense of Rajasthan while keeping the dishes as authentic as possible," she added.
Festival menu
The festival begins with two of Rajasthan's most popular street snacks, Pyaaz Kachori and Dal Kachori, both served as appetisers.
The main course features an impressive selection of signature dishes, including the iconic Dal Baati Churma, Rassa Wala Aloo with Dal Ki Puri, Malai Pyaaz Sabzi with Laccha Paratha, Gatta Ka Pulav with Dahi Kadhi, and Safed Maas with Laccha Paratha.
Instead of choosing the more familiar Laal Maas, Timblo opted for Safed Maas, believing it deserved equal recognition.
"When people think of Rajasthan, they usually think of Laal Maas. I wanted to do something a little different, so we selected Safed Maas, which is equally popular and beautifully showcases another side of Rajasthani cuisine," she explained.
Authentic ingredients
Recognising Rajasthan's arid climate and traditional cooking methods, the menu also highlights ingredients such as gram flour, lentils and onions, staples of the state's cuisine.
"Rajasthan isn't known for a wide variety of vegetables because of its dry climate. That's why you'll find dishes made with pulses, besan, onions and potatoes, ingredients that have been part of the region's culinary heritage for generations," Timblo said.
While creating the menu, Timblo focused on maintaining authentic flavours without making the recipes overly complex for her kitchen team.
"When I curate a festival menu, I simplify the recipes without compromising their identity. I don't have chefs from every state, so the dishes have to be practical to execute while still representing the region they come from," she said.
To achieve that authenticity, Café Mira has sourced several key ingredients directly from Rajasthan.
"Our gatta, moong dal papad and pickles have come directly from Rajasthan. Whenever there are ingredients that aren't easily available in Goa, I try to source them from the state itself," she said.
This practice isn't new for the café. Timblo recalled sourcing traditional sweets and speciality ingredients from Ahmedabad during Café Mira's earlier Gujarati food festival.
Every mini meal served during the festival includes fresh haldi sabzi, garlic chutney, moong dal papad, and masala chaas, creating a complete Rajasthani dining experience.
The festival concludes on a sweet note with Kesar Rabdi, served traditionally in a kulhad, and Shahi Sevaiya with ice cream.
Café's journey
According to Timblo, every festival at Café Mira is designed to transport diners to another part of India through food.
"I want people to feel as though they're eating in Rajasthan. Even if it's just for one meal, they should experience the flavours, traditions and warmth of that state," she said.
Since opening in 2019, Café Mira has established itself as a popular destination for comfort food inspired by Goa, Mumbai and cuisines from across India.
Describing the café as "my second home," Timblo said the concept was born after she left her corporate career and wanted to create a welcoming space centred on hygienic, nostalgic food.
The café first became known for its chaat, South Indian fare and Goan street food before gradually introducing themed regional festivals.
"My menu is inspired by the food I grew up eating in Mumbai, but over the years we've adapted, added and adopted dishes from Goa and other parts of India. That's what gives Café Mira its character," she said.
Growing response
The response to the café's regional food festivals has been consistently encouraging.
"Every time we introduce a new festival, our regular customers return, but we also see many first-time visitors. They enjoy the food, love the ambience and often come back. It's been a wonderful journey," Timblo said.
While she credits herself with conceptualising the menus, she believes the success belongs equally to her team.
"I can't take all the credit. Café Mira is like my daughter, and it has grown because of the incredible team that stands behind it. It's truly a collective effort," she said.
Till August 1
The Rajasthani Mini Fest will be available at Café Mira until August 1, allowing Goans to savour some of Rajasthan's most cherished flavours without leaving the state.
