Nestled in a rustic Goan setting about 900 meters from the beach, it all started after Mr. Martin retired in 1989 it was a corner shop earlier where all the boys from the locality would come to play carom or have a soft drink, it gained popularity to serve Goan dishes like sorpotel, Goan sausage bread and pork chilly fry dished out by Mrs. Carafina. This corner store was then extended into a small eat out with four tables, which would feed taxi drivers whilst their western clients ate at the more up-beat restaurants It has come a long way since. The hard work and dedication put in by Mrs. Pereira and her son’s has put Martins on the world map as a must visit restaurant. Today Martins Corner is a Multi Cuisine a la carte restaurant serving Goan, Indian, Tandoori, Continental Chinese and known specially for Seafood has an impressive bar menu.
Martins now has the capacity to cater to 300 covers at a time and ample parking space for about 60 cars. After years of experience in catering to guest’s Martins Corner in 2007 started their family run boutique resort Martins Comfort which lets you experience “Capture the friendly Goan atmosphere”.
The restaurant is buzzling with the haunt of locals and tourists alike and all this is due to the single handed efforts of one woman Carafina Pereira. The lady, fulcrum of the establishment, whose passion for cooking has made this restaurant one of the most sought after eatery in Goa. After her husband’s retirement, her three sons still in their teens, she set up two small tables outside the house which also served as a grocery store in 1989, and served Sorpotel, Prawn Curry Rice and Pork Chops to the staff of a five star hotel in the vicinity to make ends meet. Her reputation grew and so did her preparations…the grocery corner became the restaurant and was named after her late husband Martin. Sitting in the warm and cozy restaurant, red checked tablecloths on the table; the bar like the tavern of old, one will see photographs of politicians, sportsperson, actors…celebs who have patronized the place .
Although, there is variety of cuisines listed on the menu. The USP of the restaurant is Goan. Try the Rawa fried Mussels, the secret is in the marination – as is most of the preparations. There is no fixed measurement of the spice used, just a quick flick of the fingers and the quantity is measured and standardized. Crab Masala Fry, Pork Vindaloo, Pomfret, Caldin, Kingfish balchao accompanied by the Goan rice. Hot Goan favorites. Sachin Tendulkar even has a crab preparation named after him. Don’t forget to mix the preparation with dry mackerel or the homemade ones (mango, or the lime pickle). She makes those pickles which used to be served in most other establishments in the past well as her own toddy vinegar which is a must in every Goan preparation. No half measures for this lady…its authenticity to the core.
But the story does not end here…old favorites Bebinca and Caramel Pudding are served for dessert. She believes in keeping the legacy of the past steadfast in this time and age. The page 1 and Page 3 celebrities who have visited it keep on returning. The mistress of spice has created an institution for lovers of home cooked Goan food.
0832 2880061/ 6481518, 9822131676
Martins Corner, Binwaddo, Betalbatim, Salcette, Goa – 403708.
