Ori – Pan Asian Cuisine

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Sinful Date Pancake and Ice cream at Ori in Vasco
Who said you can’t get world-class cuisine in Vasco?
Yes, Vasco has a lot going for it, the best harbor, the only airport, home to the Navy and many other lovely attributes. But as a culinary destination? Perhaps not yet, but if you spend a little time at Ori, the Pan Asian restaurant at the HQ Hotel in Vasco, you will see this coastal city is in fact capable of offering up some very good food. The truth is the food at Ori is good not just ‘for Vasco’, as it would hold its own in any Indian metro or international capital.
The first thing that hits you when you enter Ori is the stunning Japanese-style décor, recently put together by the highly talented British designer Martin Grace. Warm, minimalistic and very elegant, the dining room features comfortable seating, a large sculpture in the shape of a fan, a well-stocked and eye-catching bar, and a fountain with gentle running water. This sets the mood for what’s to come.
On a recent afternoon, we sampled appetizers that included the Maldivian Chicken Salad, oriental chicken with bean spinach and sesame dressing. At the first bite, we understood that the quality of the food easily matches the elegance of the atmosphere. Next came the Tom Yom, a traditional Thai hot & sour clear soup with lemon grass and fresh chili. Again, a pleasant surprise. It tasted the way it’s supposed to (certainly not a given in restaurants that bill themselves as Pan Asian). The main courses we sampled were the Oriental Pork Chops with chili garlic sauce and the Chai Ta Ha Prawns, cooked in herbs and fragrant green coriander sauce. Both were triumphs.
Interiors of Ori
In the interest of full disclosure, let us state that Goa Streets was invited by the restaurant to lunch at Ori. So unlike other reviews, this one was not conducted anonymously as the management very much knew we were there! No matter the circumstances, we had an extremely positive experience – one that was capped by a particularly decadent offering for dessert. The Date Pancakes – wantons with sweetened dates and minced nuts with ice cream – were good enough to be declared illegal.
On the day we lunched there, we shared the dining room with many others – a testament to the fact that the three-year-old restaurant’s popularity is growing, especially with the recent renovation by Grace.
It’s worth the trip even if you don’t live anywhere near Vasco. And if you have the time and the dough, you might even want to consider staying overnight at the HQ, Vasco’s only four-star hotel where Ori is housed. That way you can enjoy Ori without having to bother with a long drive home. Turns out there’s lots to do and see in the Vasco area. Ori isn’t the city’s only surprise.
The staff at Ori
• The Food:
Pan Asian. Very Good.
• The Ambience:
Warm, elegant, understated.
• The Service:
Attentive
• Contact:
Swatantra Path, Vasco-da-Gama.
Tel: +91 832 250 0015/16/17/18,
reservations@thehq.in