Siona holds a special place for me as it was the first restaurant I visited when I began my journey as a digital nomad about a month and a half ago. My choice was a random pick from Google Maps.
The restaurant is big, with many plug sockets along the yellow side wall, my preferred seating area. And it’s well-ventilated.
The Wi-Fi, ranging between 20 to 40Mbps. A significant is connected to the backup generator. This feature is a rarity in the area, ensuring connectivity even during power outages – a substantial plus for nomads.
The tables are somewhat low for the sofas, making the chairs a better option, and they are quite comfortable.
I’m already a fan of their best-in-area garlic cheese naan and their Indian dishes are really good. However, I decided to start with something different this time – the chicken cheese kebab.
Unfortunately, it was more of a standard chicken kebab, as the cheese was barely noticeable, and I couldn’t discern where the egg was supposed to be. So, I shifted back to an Indian dish.
I ordered the Mutton Curry accompanied by garlic cheese naan. As I recalled, their Indian cuisine is excellent. I requested a less spicy version.
It came almost non-spicy, yet still delicious. The curry, albeit with a modest amount of meat, was superb. It paired wonderfully with the garlic cheese naan, which I consider the best in Canacona.
Overall, my time at Siona was another positive experience. I worked there for around 5 hours comfortably. It’s a stable and comfortable spot for nomads and the service is wonderful.
Second visit to Siona
date: 24/01/24 time:17:00
My previous experiences at Siona have been positive, mostly before I started this blog. So, I decided to return for a few more dishes.
The Wi-Fi remains consistent at around 30 to 40Mbps, and the chairs are extremely comfortable. Being early, the restaurant was empty, ensuring quick service. I began with a half chicken tandoori order.
The chicken tandoori arrived with a pleasant salad, and the fries were better than usual, although the plate was a bit cramped.
The chicken portion was generous, consisting of four large pieces with a paprika sauce that had just the right level of spiciness for my taste. However, the chicken itself was disappointingly dry and not juicy.
After some more work, I ordered the malai kofta along with the restaurant’s famous cheese garlic naan.
The malai kofta presented a striking red-orange hue, differing from the traditional white I’m familiar with. The gravy was excellent, slightly spicy, which I appreciated as it maintained some authentic heat.
The koftas, with their melting, stretchy cheese, were delightful. Paired with the garlic cheese naan, which enhances any Indian dish, it was a fantastic combination.
The kofta was probably the second best I’ve had, just behind Singh Family Restaurant’s version. However, the dish included only two small koftas in a large serving, which was a bit disappointing.
Adding one more kofta or increasing their size could make this the best malai kofta in the area.
Overall, my time working at Siona was great, aside from the loud TV. The comfort and authenticity make it one of my favorite spots for a true Indian nomad experience.
