The Second House — Restaurant in Goa

I had heard about this new happening place in Goa,a restaurant in what was formerly a more that a century old Indo-Portuguese bungalow in Saligao from some friends and also from reading a review of it in a reputed magazine (architectural digest), and since I was going to Goa, I made it a point to visit it along with my group of childhood friends.

As a former crew member of an international airline(i flew for almost 39 years),I have had the privilege to explore many many cities around the world and visit all kinds of world class restaurants and hotels, and I can say with conviction that I was equally, if not more,impressed with 'The Second House'

At first glance, what really stood out was the wonderful ambience and the tasteful(pun intended) way everything had been planned and set up.

Technology and aesthetics have been wonderfully merged and the results are there for everyone to see and admire. In fact, all the senses, be it taste, sight, smell, feel and hearing were treated to a blissful experience that I will remember.

Every one who visits this spacious two-level 9,000 square feet restaurant(it even has a glasshouse and a verandah !! ) is personally shown around by one of the friendly staff, sometimes even by the deservedly proud founder-partner Dishant Pritmani(The Daily All Day in Mumbai and Tsuki in Pune are now already well known) and you will be surely impressed by the innovative blend of AI, heritage,art and creativity which must have gone into making this such a wonderful experience. Obviously, a lot of planning, effort, time and, above all, passion has gone into making this a place to remember.

What is also good are the different spaces-each with unique seating arrangements, creavity, ambience and feel-good vibes-to sit, unwind and enjoy, whether you are part of a group, family or with your better half, bff, bae, or valentine. There is even the experience of sitting and dining in what could be your very own living room, which was so beautifully done up with a collection of art works, paintings and even a library on one side! Or you can stand by the bars, listening, or better still, grooving to the dj beats or live band.

Now that I have mentioned about the fantastic ambience, let's come to the more important part of a restaurant-the food and the drinks. Tasteful (I seem to be using this word too many times) dishes from different parts of the world besides the local cuisine,mocktails,cocktails (some with their own house wines) make The Second House a place to 'savor'. My friends and i(we were a group of nine foodies-all with different tastes, some of us vegetarians, some tee totallers) tried various dishes and drinks, vegetarian and non-vegetarian, mocktails, cocktails, desserts, and came away with all our senses overwhelmed and stomachs full.

Some of the dishes we savoured-and here are a few that I can recollect-were PT&G.,Broc and Cauli, Kimchi Cutlet, Carrot Toastada, Crudo, Not So Bachao and Chicken tacos, and a dessert named Coffee and Cream. The drinks were Raw Mango wine, Tajin Watermelon Sour, Guava cooler, Mango and chia seed cooler amd Virgin Pina Colada. Even the ice cubes were specially made inhouse.

Believe it or not, we were so satiated that though we had VIP access(which includes free foreign liquor and wines, as well as gourmet food) to the casino that we went to after this lovely dinner, we did not have anything to eat or drink there!

The friendly and knowledgeable service staff made it a perfect evening and we look forward to revisit The Second House. May there soon also be a 'Third House', then a 'Fourth House', and so on!

P. S. I could have attached some photographs, but there are so many better ones online-I am not good at taking pictures and would not have done justice to the restaurant...

PT & G+ (Tomato Peanut Milk, Truffle Oil, Savoury Granola):This dish offers a unique blend of flavors and textures. The creamy tomato peanut milk, enhanced with truffle oil, creates a rich and indulgent base. The addition of savory granola adds a delightful crunch and depth of flavor, making it a standout starter.

SECOND HOUSE CRUDO (Catch of the day, Sweet & Sour Aioli, Avocado, Puffed Rice):The Second House Crudo is a culinary masterpiece. The catch of the day is fresh and expertly prepared, complemented by the creamy richness of avocado and the tangy sweetness of the aioli. The puffed rice adds a satisfying crunch, creating a dish that is both visually stunning and incredibly delicious.

SALMON TOAST (Brown Butter Brioche, Egg Yolk Jam, Pickled Chili):The Salmon Toast is a perfect balance of flavors. The tender salmon, paired with the richness of the brown butter brioche and the tanginess of the egg yolk jam, creates a mouthwatering combination. The pickled chili adds a subtle kick, elevating the dish to new heights.

NOT SO BALCHAO (Fresh Local Prawns, Red Chili, Kaffir Lime, Coco Vinegar):This dish is a true celebration of local flavors. The fresh prawns are cooked to perfection and infused with the bold and vibrant flavors of red chili, kaffir lime, and coco vinegar. Each bite is a burst of freshness and spice, making it a standout dish on the menu.

SÔ CÓ LA (Dark Chocolate Pavé, Dehydrated Chocolate, Salted Caramel Gelato):For dessert, the Sô Có La is an absolute must-try. The dark chocolate pavé is rich and decadent, perfectly complemented by the indulgent salted caramel gelato. The dehydrated chocolate adds a unique twist, creating a dessert experience that is both luxurious and satisfying.

Veranda (Cocktail):To top off your dining experience, the Veranda cocktail is the perfect choice. With its tantalizing blend of flavors and sophisticated presentation, it's a cocktail that is sure to impress. Whether you're enjoying it as an aperitif or sipping it throughout your meal, it's the ultimate way to elevate your dining experience at The Second House.

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While our rating is a solid 5/5, I'd like to begin with an experience that almost made us cancel our reservation. The lady in question is Kavita who handles the reservations. I made the reservation for 7.30pm at 3pm; following which I received a confirmation via WhatsApp. As we started, because of Visarjan we realised we'd be 15mins late. I called her to inform her and she said okay but we will be given a high table. I asked her how does being 15mins late move us to a high table (it actually felt like we were being punished). She said that is what is available. I told her that was something she should have told me at the time of making the reservation so I could have dressed differently as I was wearing a short skirt. After going back and forth she said she will call me in a few minutes about the table. She did not. I called and she said she never said she was going to call and that she already told me a table was there. Which again she absolutely did not. Anyway, when we reached she (the lady who was wearing a white shirt with shorts, assuming she is Kavita) didn't even have the courtesy to even smile or bid us the time of the day or even hold the door open when she was ushering us to our table. Extremely cold and mannerless.

What we absolutely loved. Goan-Portuguese history which is very thoughtfully encapsulated in the interiors of the Second House. Yohan played the perfect host by showing us around and elevating our experience to a different level altogether. Thank you, Yohan. We truly loved everything you shared with us :) The service staff exemplified Goan hospitality which we haven't seen much, of late in most establishments. One gentleman in particular who waited on us (he wore spectacles and had slight wavy curls) was so helpful in assisting with food choices. Sorry we didn't get his name. Both these gentleman made our overall experience at the Second House an absolute enthralling experience. Nishitha too was very gracious and made sure we were well looked after. The food, hands down a delight that will have us returning everytime...