People usually reckon three things when the word 'Goa' is mentioned – the sweeping waves gently crashing against the shore, the grainy brown sands and the delicious Goan food – a combination one is bound to find at many coastal areas along the state.
One such place that overlooks the secluded Bambolim beach in North Goa, is the Sand and Sea beach shack. Opened in 1991, this restaurant-cum-bar offers a mesmerising view of the sea, and its home-styled food that keeps locals and tourists coming back for more.
“When I started the place, there was nothing much here,” says Sand and Sea beach shack owner, Cajetan Rodrigues, as he looks back at his labour of love.
As a commerce graduate, unable to find a job, Rodrigues was in his late twenties when he decided to open a small joint.
“The journey since, has been quite tough,” he adds.
Over the years, through his persistence, some strong family support and locals patronising the place, the little joint grew into a trendy and welcoming space with a two-floor seating area.
“I remember Ashwin Tombat, the former Gomantak Times editor, wrote a small article on the paper and people started coming in,” he smiles, reminiscing the old times.
A muddy road leads to the restaurant, that greets one with the mouth-watering smell of fried fish, and the sound of rolling waves interspersed with chatter and soft, soothing music. “This was my son’s idea,” Rodrigues says, as he points towards the bamboo roofing of the restaurant.
“There are a lot of fancy and high tech places along this stretch; as such, I felt the need to go rustic where people can just chill and unwind,” says Clemson Rodrigues, who is the brain behind the beautiful interiors of the place, that includes bamboo work and lots of green plants.
Handling the restaurant as much as his dad, Clemson has also curated the cocktails at the bar.
But it’s not just drinks, ask a local, and they’ll end up saying, “Have you been to Sand and Sea? Their bangde (mackerels) and fried shinanyo (mussels) are amazing, right!”
The restaurant is known for serving traditional Goan xit-kodi, thali, seafood like fired mackerel, kingfish, chonak etc. In fact, having never faced any competition from other outlets, Rodrigues informs that it was his mother who always handled the kitchen and infused some love as she prepared the home-styled meals.
“After my mother expired, my wife took over the operations,” he smiles. Apart from authentic Goan flavours, Sand and Sea beach shack today serves Indian and Chinese cuisine, too.
Usually, without realising it, one takes a table closer to the beach, and then as the order is placed, takes in the cool, sea breeze and rhythmic waves.
But, the atmosphere completely changes given a football match of FC Goa, “We screen matches here,” Rodrigues says about the screen, and the stadium-like atmosphere whenever a live telecast of a match is screened at the restaurant.
“I always wanted to start a place like this. But, also had a desire to travel abroad like my colleagues who moved to France and elsewhere,” Rodrigues says.
“But, Goa is sentimental, my father and grandmother died here, so too many sentiments are attached and I decided to stay here,” he adds.
If you drop by Sand and Sea beach shack today, you will find Rodrigues and his family working behind the scenes with the same zeal and passion that he had 33 years ago — ensuring that not just the sand and sea, but their restaurant too remains timeless.
DETAILS:
CONTACT: +91 98225 80651
LOCATION: Beside Grand Hyatt, Aldeia de Goa, Bambolim
WHEN: Open on all days, except Tuesdays
TIMINGS: 12.30 pm to 4 pm, 7.30 pm to 11 pm
