Sanctuary Bar & Kitchen is redefining Goa’s culinary landscape
BY VIDUR KAPOOR
Nestled amidst the captivating beauty of 250-year-old ruins in the alluring atmosphere of Goa, Sanctuary Bar and Kitchen has redefined the culinary landscape with its unique blend of history, luxury, and gastronomy.
This culinary oasis promises an unparalleled dining experience that transcends the ordinary. Sanctuary Bar and Kitchen, originally hailing from the bustling city of Hyderabad, brings with it a rich heritage of culinary excellence and innovation.
Having established itself as a pinnacle of premium dining in Hyderabad, Sanctuary has spread its wings and set a new standard in luxury gastronomy in the vibrant landscape of Goa. Drawing inspiration from its roots, Sanctuary Bar and Kitchen seamlessly blends global comfort food with a touch of Hyderabad’s culinary heritage, creating a unique and unforgettable dining experience.
With its expansion to Goa, Sanctuary Bar and Kitchen continues to celebrate its origins while embracing new horizons, inviting guests to embark on a journey of culinary discovery and indulgence, where every detail has been meticulously curated to create an ambience that is both enchanting and luxurious.
The restaurant’s architecture and interior design pays homage to its historic surroundings, offering a truly immersive dining experience. Built on a land measuring close to an acre, the restaurant comfortably accommodates over 350 guests at a time.
The process of building the space involved ensuring that no plants were taken down during cleaning up. The founders, Gokul Krishna, Rohan Gutta, Trilok Potluri and Mithun Yalamarthi, ended up planting over 8,000 trees, creating a lush green atmosphere.
The untouched ruins invite you in, creating a captivating entry to the massive property. As you make your way through the younger 150-year-old restored villa, you will find the space sectioned into rooms that each have a mood of their own.
With the large family dining room and the indoor bar placed across one another, the high energy atmosphere allows you to move freely within the space.
Diners will also find a more intimate dining room to the right, which seats over 40 guests and an adjacent kids room inside the villa, allowing adults to enjoy their time at the Sanctuary while children can engage in supervised activities, ensuring a seamless dining experience for families.
Designed by Gokul Krishna, who is also Founder and CEO of W Design Studio, the Sanctuary in Goa is truly one of a kind.
Renowned for its fusion of global comfort food and exquisite cocktails, Sanctuary Bar and Kitchen is proud to have Celebrity Chef Sarah Todd as its Culinary Executive and Brand Ambassador.
With her extensive culinary expertise and a deep connection to Indian cuisine, Sarah brings a unique perspective that promises to elevate the dining experience at Sanctuary.
Diners have the pleasure of indulging in her special offerings like Xacuti Crab Cakes, Kokum Salsa which are Goan-spiced crab cakes served with a tangy kokum fruit salsa or the innovative and fun Chicken Kiev Cafreal Bites, Cafreal Dip which are bite-sized Chicken Kiev with a Goan cafreal twist, served with a matching cafreal herb dip.
Vegetarian options such as the Paneer Hara Masala Tart, Fenni Pickled Zucchini, which is creamy paneer in green masala encased in a tart, topped with fenni-flavoured pickled zucchini or the Jaggery Glazed Carrots, sweet and slightly spiced carrots glazed in jiggery, are among the menu highlights as well.
Large plates like the Recheado Platter which is a Goan spin on the classic paella, rich with recheado masala and assorted abundant seafood or the Peruvian Style Morning Glory, lime rice which is a stir-fried morning glory atop zesty lime-infused rice, with Peruvian spices are delicious, sufficient and easy to enjoy when visiting in a group.
But the experience doesn’t end with the cuisine. Guests can either enjoy the innovative cocktails at the indoor bar room or can opt for a more open and airy atmosphere by sipping away at the Ruin Bar, which is built using natural materials like bamboo and located behind the 250-year-old ruins.
Sanctuary Bar and Kitchen boasts a team of renowned mixologists, Agnieszka Rozenska and Louness Ducos, who are dedicated to crafting an unforgettable bar experience. Their innovative approach and meticulous attention to detail ensures that every sip is a delight for the senses.
“We are thrilled to bring Sanctuary Bar and Kitchen to Goa,” said Co-Founder Rohan. “Our vision is to create a sanctuary where guests can indulge in exquisite cuisine, sip on artisanal cocktails, and immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of Goa. Originating from Hyderabad, a city renowned for its culinary heritage, our expansion to Goa marks a significant milestone.”
He added: “We are excited to bring our unique blend of global comfort food with a touch of Hyderabad’s culinary flair to this vibrant coastal destination. With Sanctuary Bar and Kitchen, we aim to offer a memorable dining experience while becoming an integral part of Goa’s culinary landscape. Our goal is to celebrate its rich gastronomic traditions while pushing the boundaries of innovation and creativity.”
Having culinary talents like Celebrity Chef Sarah Todd and mixologists Agnieszka and Louness on their team adds an extra layer of excitement and expertise to the venture, ensuring a truly exceptional experience for guests.