If driving through Porvorim, the fact that the area ismerely on the way to a belt that boasts some pretty exceptional restaurants,one would have to definitely think twice before stopping to eat at most placesthere. Yet, as a few unnamed contemporaries in the place have proven, if one isin the right place, Porvorim can prove to be quite appealing. This isespecially true of the new place on the block; Kudos.
Conceptualised by brothers Shawn and Savio D’Souza, therestaurant, in keeping with its name, is of more than just decent quality. Withan ethnic chic look, wood panelled walls coupled with inlaid stone work anddiffused lighting; the ambience is appealing and sets the tone for a quietrelaxed evening. The service is both friendly and attentive, and very smartlydressed. It is the food however, that takes one completely by surprise, in thebest way possible.
On ordering a pizza, you would expect the usual margherita,with nothing short of a tomato and onion base, topped with shavings ofmozzarella cheese that stretch with every bite. At Kudos, however, thisconventional Italian dish comes with a twist. The thin crust base is smearedwith a layer of fresh in-house (not that cheap stuff out of a jar) pesto, thatis painstakingly made by Chef Eldridge Lobo, before being sprinkled generouslywith chopped tomato and chicken that is slightly smoky in nature. Bear in mindthat these pizzas are cooked in an earthen wood fire oven, which gives themthat extra crisp and freshly baked flavour.
At Kudos, the pièce de résistance on display to your visual,auditory and most definitely olfactory senses is the array of sizzlersavailable. For those who lived in Panjim until the early 2000s, think ‘ChickyChocky’, a venue that stood proudly across from the Panjim church. There can benothing more appealing and teasing to the senses than a slow cooked meal thatgently simmers on a platter before. From an array of meat that ranges fromseveral varieties of lamb, chicken, beef or pork, to vegetarian options, onewill definitely be spoilt for choice.
Fair to say that if a night out that involves good food,quality service and an all-round ‘old school meets urban’ ambience is yourthing, then Kudos to the boys behind the workings indeed, as it is the place togo to, for all of the things above.
