Last week I noticed a 2 for 1 coupon in the Bohemian for a new Goan restaurant in Santa Rosa called Sobbit Goa. I've heard of Goa as the coastal vacation area of India that is known for its vivid nightlife and relaxed atmosphere. Wikipedia informs me Goa is India's smallest state, one of its richest, and is known for its celebrations of diversity. But what about the food?
Walking into this restaurant I could feel the tender care given to the space. Things were clean, bright and welcoming. I noticed a colorful painting of lovers picnicking on the wall. The smell hit, a bouquet of delcious aromas that brought an instant joy to my whole body. The waiter appeared with a friendly greeting and a great menu. I see some familiar phrases: locally grown, hormone free, no antibiotics, vegan foor on request, organic fresh food. And then I see a not so familiar phrase: Gluten Free Naan. WHAA? Oh what good fortune. I can hardly stand it.
All entrees include rice, which is as it should always be in my opinion (hear that Thai Pot and Himalayan Tandoori and Curry?). There were some very difficult choices to make on this menu, including several dishes I had never heard of - Goan Xacuttis - a traditional roasted coconut base curry with a touch of tamarind juice, Galinha Com Coentro - chicken in mild green chiles and cilantro based sauce, Veg Caldeen - a goan style mix vegetables with onions, coconut, mild green chiles, ginger and garlic, and some others. Also they had chicken pakoras and paneer pakoras, which we will save For Next Time.
So on this Very Hungry Weeknight we ordered an abundance of food - Mixed Vegetable Pakoras, Paneer Tikka Masala, Chicken Korma, Keema Naan, GF Naan. Gold stars for the pakoras and the sauces. The Naan was served piping hot and was delicious. Granted, it's been a minute since I've had real naan, but to me, this piping hot pancake-type-shovel was divine. So divine in fact that I forgot to take a picture of it until I had almost eaten the whole thing!
Both the Korma and the Tikka Masala were creamy and delicious, and had a tad of something sweet. There was plenty of spice to the dishes even though we both ordered the 'medium'. It was different because of the sweetness, which added a very delicate and balanced undertone to the spices. I gobbled up as much of the delicate and delicious sauce as I could with my Naan.
The best part may have been the incredibly sweet man who was vigilantly tending to our water glasses. They were never below half full. He was a short man, with a round face and a smile that I will not soon forget. He had such a warmth about him that made the meal feel that much more lovely.
I want to Go(a) again!
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