Gastronomically Goan: This new pop-up feast will bring the best of Panaji to Mumbai

Sea Perch Ceviche. Pics courtesy/Praca Prazeres

For Mumbaikars who are intrigued by what Goa has to offer in terms of food apart from its seafood, the upcoming weekend offers a pop-up to experience the range of elevated, inspired flavours, beyond the obvious. Popular eatery, O Pedro is hosting the fourth edition of Pedro's Pals, a weekend series inviting a dining outlet from the sunshine state to take over their kitchen. This time, the invitee is Praça Prazeres, from Panaji.

Praca Gnocchi

Chef Ralph Prazeres fills us in on what to expect, "We will serve Wood-Fired Chicken Wings glazed in a Xacuti Sauce, and Praça Gnocchi [with a] punchy sauce made with Goan sausages - served with pumpkin puree, brown butter, and goat cheese. The Root Veg Caldeen is our take on a traditional Goan curry," he shares.

The chef says that, to really understand [Goan cuisine, as interpreted by Praça Prazeres] diners must try the Slow-Cooked Pork Belly with Apple Sauce, the Sea Perch Ceviche, the Short Rib Croquettas, or the Mushroom and Cheddar Croquettas. He adds, "There's also the Mushroom Orzo or the Seafood Orzo. I believe all these dishes are popular because they're simple yet full of flavour."

Short Rib Croquettas

Prazeres, who has described his cooking style as classical in a recent Instagram post, informs us of quite a few new dishes added to the menu to be served for the weekend pop-up, "[There is] Roasted Whole Crab in a Goan sausage XO sauce; it's sweet, spicy, and piquant, and salty from Goan chouriço and dried prawns. It's our first time serving this dish, and it's essentially Goa on a plate."

Ralph Prazeres

For vegetarians, a must-try is the creamy and flaky Baked Cauliflower Pastel, a savoury twist on Pasteis de Nata (egg custard tarts), topped with a crunchy truffle parsley gremolata. "There are plenty of other new creations, but you'll have to come and try them this weekend," Prazeres signs off.

On November 8 and 9
Time 12 pm to 4 pm (Lunch); 7 pm to 12 am (Dinner)
At O Pedro, Jet Airways-Godrej Building, Bandra Kurla Complex.
Call 7506525554 (reservations)