Riverside

A poesie for Queenie.

River run, Nerul

Lazy Goose, entrance. 

-Brian Mendonca

Looking for a place to make Queenie feel special, I chanced on Lazy Goose, Nerul. We had often driven past it, and wondered what it was like. Today, being International Women's Day, seemed like the perfect occasion. 

The best part of it was that we did not have to rush - even though we got there past 3 for lunch. Many ambled in after us and the joint was  swinging around 4. All the tables were full. 

On one extended table sat about ten men in their late 50's, with one middle-aged lady donning a white sun hat which she refused to take off. During the course of lunch the tall gent in capris at the corner rose with a huge white sheet which looked like a site map of some property. They looked like angel investors.

A young woman, with tresses to her waist, simmering in a white cotton shirt and olive pants came in with three of her girl friends, perhaps wanting to treat them on IWD. 

The family in front of us were in casuals and spoke softly. The girl in shorts had folded her legs up in the cane chair. The large man in blue spoke earnestly, and when they walked to the hired taxi he sat behind the wheel. 

To my right four men walked in with a young lady with a waist that could fit into a key ring. In a white sleeveless top, she smiled amiably over her mocktail. Her partner, on her right, spoke rapidly on the phone, advising a client on a property deal, while nursing his feni. 

Lazy Goose does not serve thali (or biryani) but they do not close at 3 or 3.30 like most places in Goa. It's perfect for a holiday like today - declared for Mahashivratri. We ourselves hit the road home 10 minutes shy of 5.

The shadows were already lengthening. On the way up the hill to Porvorim we passed the placid lake with its birdwatching outpost at Pilerne. As we turned left  to climb into Porvorim we spied the majestic St. John the Baptist Church. 

You could almost miss the untarred path leading to the restaurant. Parking, under the Nerul bridge, is at a crunch and the way to the place is uneven. But the low tide seemed in no hurry to get anywhere and it took us with it. 

The lady who picked the phone, when we called to say we would be coming, arranged for flowers for Queenie. As we munched on our Kingfish curry rice (₹610), and Dwayne, on his grilled chicken with sauce and fried potatoes, it seemed a moment to savour. One may cavil about the 7 per cent service charge - in addition to CGST and SGST - but what the heck, even the dessert was called 'Lazy Apple Pie with Ice cream.'

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Location courtesy,  Lazy Goose restaurant, below Nerul bridge, North Goa. Pic above taken by restaurant staff. Pics below taken by Brian Mendonca on Friday, 8 March 2024. Updated 9/3/24.