25 November, 2000

Almost the end of November now and just about every restaurant that we had been dreaming of is open. Last Saturday, went to J & A's Little Italy, not to be confused with the other Little Italy. Across the Baga river, in the garden of a small yellow washed house is J & A's Little Italy, an immensely successful eatery. The owners, Jamshed (J) and Ayesha (A) are great folks. They have utilized their off-season period quite fruitfully by producing a baby boy, Zal (Z). Both the parents are as good looking as skilled in the culinary arts and I can say in all honesty that the food is even better than the last season. Each and every course we order is good. The Pizza Romano with its spicy imported salami is yummy, the steaks bursting with juice, the pasta sauces are rich. But the lemon cheesecake takes the cake. Oh boy, how can something be so light, so delicious! Hats off guys! As if the food was not enough to go gaga over, Z arrives with his granny. A cherubic child with a contented look, Zal is like a magnet, drawing a knot of cooing women. So, Cheers to babies, small and big and to memorable times with your dear ones.

13 November, 2001

Just a couple of days before, we had visited our old favorite, J & A's Little Italy. J & A have toiled hard to further improve this charming place on the banks of the Baga River. Gold painted new chairs and lamps that add not only illumination but atmosphere. And the food! You know, maybe I do write about this place rather more fondly than most others, but ask the large number of regulars who flock to this place, it is superb. I swear in the few years of visiting it, we have not had a single disappointing dish. Not to be sadistic but do allow me to tell you what we had. A Pizza Romano, with spicy salami and some warm squid in tomato sauce with crostini as starters. A fillet of pomfert came lovingly coated with out of the world presto, a Beef stew cooked to perfection in red wine and what nots. You would think that this was enough to satisfy a hungry family? Not mine, they went on to order the lemon cake and a Chocolate Mousse followed by a demitasse cup of coffee! Never, ever, leave this place without sampling the aforementioned desserts.

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