It’s no secret. Goa is a melting pot of food. From local seafood to North Indian, South Indian and even Japanese cuisines, Goa’s got it all. Italian food is also a big hit in Goa with a few restaurants serving this kind of cuisine in certain places in the state. Enter a brand and a chain of restaurants that’s going to really give them a run for their money. The DIVA brand is best described as a dash of flavor, a pinch of creativity and ounces of passion for food! It’s a true recipe for success by famous chef Ritu Dalmia. And now it’s right here in Goa having been launched on the 21st of May at the Andores Resort & Spa, Calangute.
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The Chef Extraordinaire, Ritu Dalmia
Nothing in Ritu Dalmia’s lineage suggests she could be the brilliant and talented chef and restaurateur she is. However, in her mid-40s, she has surpassed all limits. The lady is the successful co-owner of 6 restaurants as well as a catering business in Delhi, a renowned chef and owns another restaurant in Italy.
The lady has an interesting background, though. Before even dreaming of becoming a chef, she worked in her Marwari family’s stone business. From the tender age of 16. The job took her to Italy many times where she developed a taste for the delicious food as well as a talent for making it herself.
In 1993, at age 21, she set up Mezza Luna, a Mediterranean restaurant with an Italian accent, in Delhi’s Hauz Khas Village. However, while the food was mouthwateringly excellent, the restaurant didn’t fare as well. But she was not to be beaten. She moved to London, where she opened Vama, an Indian fine dining restaurant. The restaurant was a big success and won rave reviews.
Back to India
However, as they say, there’s no place like home. This led Dalmia back to Delhi where she opened her first DIVA restaurant. Given her talents in the kitchen, the place became a major success and boasted of a wine cellar which no other restaurant could rival. Dalmia’s success continued to grow with each of the restaurants she launched and she had a staff of 200 to manage. The crowning glory is her eatery, Cittamani, in Milan. Cittamani’s menu is a fusion of Indian and Italian elements; with Dalmia cooking locally-sourced Italian ingredients with Indian techniques. And with this, she has come full circle. She started her restaurateur life trying to introduce India to genuine Italian food; now she’s getting Italians to taste and enjoy the flavors of the Indian sub-continent.
The launch of the DIVA restaurant in Goa
After much success in Delhi and Italy, now, Goa gets to experience the talents of Chef Ritu Dalmia. The first DIVA restaurant was launched at the Andores Resort and Spa in Calangute. Speaking at the launch, an excited and enthusiastic Chef Dalmia said, “I’m delighted to launch DIVA in Goa and very excited with the very good response it has received. Goa has always been my favorite destination, and now I have a legit reason to come to Goa and experience its business with DIVA. The support of the team is very encouraging and I would say so far so good. Our best is yet to come.”
DIVA at Andores Resort and Spa
The DIVA restaurant in Goa is located in the heart of Calangute, at the Andores Resort and Spa. The signature flagship restaurants is a 64 cover, fine dining restaurant. It will be operational all year-round and will offer lunch, apertivo and dining experiences for guests with an authentic Italian menu. This menu is specially curated for Goa, keeping in mind the State’s vibrant local flavors and ingredients.
Image credit – Think Geek Media
The restaurant’s interiors are plush and there is a gorgeously vibrant outdoor terrace with seating as well. The outdoor terrace overlooks the pool and the outdoor pizzeria. So in choosing the terrace seating, diners can enjoy a true Neapolitan slice whilst sitting beside the pool. A fully operational bar with a special menu of cocktails and a wide selection of wine and beer aims to enhance the most discerning tastes. DIVA promises an experience that reinforces the award-winning brand philosophy of ‘respecting and celebrating authentic food by combining clean, simple and fresh ingredients to create rich and unique dishes that promise to give your taste-buds an unforgettable experience.’
If you want to taste authentic Italian cuisine that is made for the Goan palate, reserve yourself a table at DIVA soon.
For more information, check out the official website.
Address: DIVA at Andores Resort and Spa, Tivai Vaddo, Calangute, Bardez, Goa – 403516.
For reservations, call on 0832 -6654400 and get yourself a table at Goa’s hottest new restaurant!
Information credit – Think Geek Media
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