Guestpost by Yashodhara Roy
As a resident of Goa, I was pleasantly surprised to see how healthy some cafes had gotten. When Jia told me to review a few vegan cafes- I was really excited and I called Natti’s immediately.Nestled in a heritage Portuguese house, lies a health food store with a cafe. They have a comprehensive menu that incorporates superfoods, antioxidant rich foods, gluten free grains and ‘acai’ smoothies.
I started my meal with a coconut mylk based vegan smoothie. The chef recommended the Acai berry for an antioxidant boost that is guaranteed to wake you up but I went with the chocolate one. The smoothie was incredibly decadent and I could taste the hints of dates, raw cacao and banana. I started noshing on the gluten free bread with a smidge of homemade aubergine dip.
They have a salad for each day of the week- appropriately portioned and beautifully presented; we gave in and ordered two. The warm pumpkin salad was drizzled with organic apple cider vinegar that really brought out the flavours. However, I highly recommend the roasted beetroot and avocado salad. The balsamic vinegar helped cut through the fat from the feta and the avocado. The dish was perfectly balanced with elements of sweet, tart and the saltiness from the walnuts to bring it all together.
My friend who was lunching with me had a zucchini carrot ‘pasta’ with veggie patties made from kidney beans and mushrooms. Albeit an acquired taste, this is the perfect dish to order if you are following a meatless diet or want to try a ‘faux pasta’ made from spiralling veggies. For those who look forward to the desserts like me, try the vegan coconut panna cotta – absolutely sublime.
The food isn’t expensive and is prepared freshly to order. Perfect for those of you who are avoiding dairy and for vegan and raw enthusiasts. They have a cute store with organic teas, home supplies and desserts that you can take home. They are a friendly bunch and you can tell them about your dietary requirements beforehand. I will definitely come back here for the smoothies and the dessert.
Quick Notes-
Nattis Naturals
Calangute- Anjuna Road,
Mazal waddo,
Anjuna
Goa 503509
#08550899422
Www.facebook.com/nattisnaturals/
