Over a month ago, I visited Salt and Pepper, drawn by claims of hosting the best “Hello to the Queen” dessert. It lived up to the hype then, and after sampling many versions of this dessert elsewhere, I returned to reassess.
The restaurant is spacious, offering decent Wi-Fi of around 20 to 30Mbps. The chairs are notably comfortable, featuring leather padding and an abundance of ventilators for cooling.
The extensive menu presented many choices, but I initially opted for the tandoori chicken, requesting it be made slightly spicy.
As the family dining nearby departed, the atmosphere became quieter, though the staff turned on the TV, playing Indian music at a reasonable volume.
The tandoori chicken, though seemingly sauceless at first, surprised me with its juiciness and subtle spice, perhaps a tad too salty, but fittingly so, given the restaurant’s name.
In a new venture, I recorded a video of myself eating, a decision made impulsively but adding a fun element to the meal.
Next, I ordered a strawberry lassi, specifying a cold serving in advance. It was deliciously thick and more strawberry-forward than anticipated but enjoyable nonetheless.
Later, I tried the Malai Kofta with cheese garlic naan. The naan arrived in abundance, striking a good balance between thinness and flavorful cheese and garlic.
The malai kofta was uniquely presented with a creamy, greenish-yellow gravy and a singular, sizable kofta.
The gravy was delightful, though the kofta, heavy and lacking in cheese flavor, was made from an mix of paneer, cashews, raisins, and potatoes, the paneer though was hardly felt.
The staff’s friendliness added to the experience, taking time to inquire about my thoughts on the dish.
With excess naan remaining, I sought another dish and was recommended the Paneer Butter Masala.
It arrived swiftly, with the staff kindly reheating my naan. The dish stood out, with its butter-rich, creamy-yet-not gravy and flavorful paneer, making it a highlight.
Finally, I revisited the “Hello to the Queen” dessert. It was nearly divine, served traditionally with ample hot chocolate, two scoops of ice cream, and well-caramelized bananas.
Requesting an extra scoop of ice cream halfway through was accommodated, enhancing the dessert significantly. Though more bananas would have perfected each bite, it remains the best version of the Hello to the queen dessert in South Goa.
My visit concluded wonderfully, enhanced by playful kittens and exceptional service, marking one of my best experiences at Salt n Pepper.
