Goa state of mind

In time for the famed Goa or Viva Carnival, BKC-based O Pedro is spreading some much-needed cheer from the sunshine state with its Fat Carnival. It’s a celebration of Goa’s stunning culinary diversity, shares executive chef Hussain Shahzad, and an attempt to capture the Viva Carnival’s merry vibe in aamchi Mumbai. An ancient tradition, the Viva Carnival marks the arrival of spring and is celebrated with food made with meat and cheese, appropriate on the “fat” days that come before Lent, he explains. “The Carnival is a big part of the Goan-Portuguese culture and is our reason to bring back the fun of tropical living. I remember having great food and drinks — from Portuguese-style bacalhau [made with shredded salt cod, fried potato strips, onions, eggs and olives], rissóis de camarão [a cheesy fried prawn or shrimp appetiser] and feijoada [meat stew with black beans] to cocktails [at the Carnival],” he explains.