Goa has a new restaurant that is serving modern South Indian fare with a side of art

Gone are the days when eateries in Goa were limited to resto-bars or pubs reserved for the partying crowd. The restaurant scene in the state is seeing a renaissance with chic places that are not afraid to experiment and put fun, unapologetic food front and center. EHV International’s HOSA is the newest addition to the crop. The company behind Indian Accent, Comorin and the recently launched Koloman in New York has opened up the restaurant in Siolim that will serve South Indian dishes that go beyond the usual.

Rohit Khattar, founder chairman of EHV/Old World Hospitality says, “We have always wanted to create a slightly more approachable and contemporary interpretation of the marvellous flavours of South India. Set on the waters opposite the magnificent St Anthony’s Church in Siolim, we hope Goa embraces our newest concept.”

Interiors that marry avant-garde South Indian art with the quintessential Goa vibe

The 100-seater restaurant is set in an old Goan bungalow and has an expansive patio along with an art room that is a gallery by day and a private dining space by night. Designed by Rohini Kapur, EHV’s design director, you’ll find contemporary furniture contrasting old-school Portuguese tiles and traditional art rubbing shoulders with eccentric pieces from the South. In fact, the restaurant is opening with an exhibition spotlighting 35 pieces of artwork of new South Indian artists on the block, along with art by old masters such as Thota Vaikuntam, Ravinder Reddy, and Shinoj Choran.

A refreshing take on your South Indian favourites 

While hosa means ‘new’ in Kannada and the brand chef Suresh DC is a Bengaluru resident himself, the menu is a mix of South Indian dishes—from Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu. A quick skim and you’ll find small plates with ample vegetarian options—think gunpowder kid corn and banana blossom cutlets. The large plates section also features interesting dishes like wild mushroom varuval and duck kottu parotta. If you’re visiting with a crowd, go for the extra large plates like ghee roast cauliflower and the Tellicherry pepper crab roast. There’s also a designated section for combos, where mains like spring vegetable stew are paired with chilli podi appam. 

The bar is helmed by Varun Sharma, who leads the acclaimed bar at Gurugram’s Comorin, so prepare to sip on cocktails that push the boundaries of what drinks can be—from a breezy gun fizz powder with gin, vanilla, and gunpowder mix, to a potent sol kadhi with tequila, kokum, coconut and paan. 

Desi desserts get the contemporary treatment

The dessert menu follows the same pattern as the food—expect a twist to classics with dishes like Mysore pak coffee cheesecake and a coconut and curry leaf sorbet. If you’re a purist, then the restaurant’s rendition of the famous Mangalore gadbad (ice-cream sundae with candied nuts and seasonal fruits) will be right up your alley, or the chiroti, which is a deep-fried layered Kannada sweet. 

Where: HOSA Restaurant & Bar, at Irada Home, House No. 60/1, Near St Anthony’s Church, Vaddy, Siolim–Bardez, North Goa, 403517.
 

All images: Rohit Chawla