Hotel Narayana

Narayana ‘Hotel’ is the one of the most famous old-time restaurants in Mangalore. This humble eatery stands tall and brave in the coastal city despite the invasion of fast food joints and multi start hotels. Located in the bustling Bunder area near the fishing dock, Narayana is famous for its seafood. If you are not from Mangalore, you might need to take a little help of the locals to get here.

As seen in the picture below, Narayana does not offer any plush interiors or an enticing ambience. Definitely a place if you want to feast on the freshest of fresh fish and not the place if you are on a date. The place looks more like a house converted into a hotel.

The no-frills Hotel Narayana

We make it a point to squeeze in sometime for a good meal at Narayana each time we are down in Mangalore. Finding a seat for yourself is always a challenge especially during the lunch hours. We prefer the seating on the mezzanine floor. Sharing a table with total strangers is the way to work around this place.

The place offers vegetarian and fish meals, the latter being most popular. The meal comes with rice, fish curry, a vegetable and pickle. But the steal is the platter of fish. The waiters bring along huge trays of fried fish and you can take your pick. From the bhuthai (sardine) and bangda (mackerel) to the Kane (lady fish) and Pomfret, Narayana offers some of the best choices of fresh fish. A visit here is a must to taste what fresh fish tastes like. Quite different from what we get to taste in our cities!

The popular fish meals

Fried fish

The fish is basically fried in a red chilli masala and extra masala is given on request for those who like their tongues on fire. It is a homecoming each time we eat the boiled rice, with the coconut based fish gravy and a slice of fried fish. Wash it down with a buttermilk or a soft drink and your meal is complete.

Adding to the local flavor is the crowd. Businessmen, working professional, masons, local traders, college students - all find their way to Narayana. Overall Narayana never fails to satisfy those looking for great seafood. The place might not score a ten on ten for hygiene but does not let you down either. Mangalore being hot most of the year, it is advisable to sit close to one of the large industrial fans.

Pay by : Cash only

Restroom: Have not tried

Average meal for two : Rs 200 depending on the size of fish.

Mel’s overall rating : 3.5 out of 5

Location: Reach the Taj Manjarun (now known as The Gateway) and ask for directions towards Bunder. The road is called Azizudin road, if you must know. Ph : 0824 2440891.

Ritz Classic Restaurant and Bar

We had heard about Ritz Classic Restaurant and Bar from afew friends. And since it had to do with Goan cuisine, we had to be there. ThinkGoa, think seafood, think Ritz. Locating the place can be quite a challenge butits popularity helps you find the way.

We did a smart thing by reaching there early promptly to beushered to our seats. We were told that most people have to wait to be seatedduring the lunch hours. The seating is basic and does not promise a fine diningexperience. But the AC provides a respite from the scorching heat outside.

The humble interiors of Ritz

 This restaurant has been around for ages and boasts of avast seafood menu among others. Of course with it, come thousands of loyalcustomers. Hubby and me usually pick chicken or pork over seafood most often. Quitestrange for a Mangalorean but true. But this time it was going to be a good helping of seafood at Ritz.

We started our meal with a plate of Mussels Rawa Fry.  A local favourite here, the bites are crispy and the quantity is good if not great. If you like to pick your fish, the waiters bring a large tray of fresh fish for you to choose from. King fish, shark, snappers, tiger prawns, lobsters, pomfrets, mackerels….there’s lots to offer. We picked a large whitepomfret to be fried in the traditional recheido masala. The fish was at its fresh best and the masala was great. I missed the tanginess that most Goan dishes have but I am sure the taste has been neutralized to suit all tastebuds.

Mussels Rawa Fry

White pomfret in recheido masala

Beer and port wine go without saying. Vinod and me helped ourselves with two rounds each. Ritz is famous for its fish plate meals or ‘thali’.Having seen it on all tables, we could hardly resist it for main course. For a100 bucks, this was a complete steal. The meal came with a prawn curry and rice, shell fish sukka, a large piece of fried king fish, dry prawn chutney, a ‘parra’of sardines and a veggie. Belt on these meals and you wouldn’t needstarters too. Vinod settled for the meal while I had some other choices.

Fish meals

I feasted on a Sea Food Fried Rice. In Goa I prefer theirpulaos but with the spice overdose, I decided to stick to the slightly bland fried rice. Squids, prawns, fish and crab meat found their way into the riceand was yummy to say the least. To go with it, I ordered for my favourite –the Prawn Balchao. The gravy was spicy with large prawns and went well with therice. Having tasted the Balchao at various places, I would well put my money on the one sold at Martin’s Corner. Good try nonetheless if you have not tried the former. Plain rice or bread (pao) too is a great accompaniment for balchao.

Sea Food Fried Rice

Prawn Balchao

Vinod was particularly happy with this meal and I too had myfill of seafood. We are definitely going back there.

Payby : Cash and cards

Restroom: Basic and pray that it doesn’t stink

Averagemeal for two : Rs 1000 (with drinks); ours worked up to Rs 1400. Just keep a watch on the taxes on the bill though.

Mel’soverall rating : 3.5 out of 5

Location:First Flor, Wagle Vision, 18 June Road, Panjim, Goa. Ph : 0832 6644796