Chef Peter’s Kitchen at Pilerne: a unique place for traditional, yet amazingly tasty Goan food

PANAJI: This dainty Goan restaurant at Pilerne, in North Goa, is not really a beach-side property or in the swarming masses of tourists at Baga, Candolim or Calangute. It not flashily decked up with the latest hi-tech gadgetry, but is a home away from home – at least for Goan food lovers like us.

According to info in the public domain, Chef Peter Fernandes, the man who cooks the food and serves it himself at Chef Peter’s Kitchen was awarded the ‘Best Chef of India’ award by the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, in the non-hotel category. And it’s not difficult to figure out the reasons.

This down-to-earth, family-run restaurant is way away from the noise and bustle of the coastal belt, yet it exudes a very typical natural Goan charm and vibe -that’s difficult to find or replicate elsewhere.

For starters, the spices, masalas and all the items used in the food at Chef Peter’s Kitchen are organic and natural and locally sourced. The seafood is always fresh and poultry items are sourced from local Goan poultry farmers.

Most dishes are authentic local Goan fare with a twist, depending on the preferences of the guests, for example the spice level in a spicy recheado stuffed pomfret may be toned down for guests who prefer non-spicy food. Some of the dishes served here are long-forgotten traditional items like the Vonn which used to be served for the bhikareachem jevonn (or food for beggars) and the Kazaracho stew or wedding stew.

Chef Peter’s Kitchen is proud of its flagship dishes, which one must definitely taste or try out when you visit this dainty, lovable place.

Chicken Cafreal: this dish has its authentic flavours and taste like it should be and we know you won’t get that same flavour and taste else where. It’s one of the fast moving fare and much preferred by most guests.

Kazaracho stew: this dish used to be served for Goan weddings in the good old days. Hence the name Kazaracho stew, meaning wedding stew.

Salted Pork Chilly Fry: this traditional Goan dish is a forgotten delicacy which is not available everywhere and Chef Peter’s Kitchen is one of the few places one can savor authentic Goan Salted Pork Chilly Fry – the way Goans do it in the villages. It is a big hit with foreign tourists from the UK, US and Germany who frequent the tourist state during the winter months of November, December and January.

Vonn (dessert): another forgotten Goan traditional dish, which used to be served at the bhikareachem jevonn or food for beggars, few days before a wedding or in the memory of a departed family member. This is made of coconut milk, jaggery, and pulses and is always served warm.

In addition to the above, one must try out the seafood and poultry dishes for example the chicken xacuti, fish xacuti, steamed fish, vindaloo, sorpotel, choris pulao and many others. The restaurant has a fine collection of house wines to complement your palate and a chat with the chef will help you chose your menu and wine (or alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage) to go with it.

Our Verdict: We strongly recommend a visit to this beautiful place. The food here is out of the world and for Goan food lovers, this place is a must try.