How long has it been since I’ve known about this upscale gastropub of a place centered in the hub of Chicago’s nightlife? A while, but like most places, the hype does not cut it for me. I like to see if places last and Bar Goa is one of them. As restaurants reopened post-pandemic, a new era of restaurants emerged, fusing culture and cuisine to shake up the traditional Chicago American fare. Especially, in an area like River North where tourists and locals mesh to experience nightlife.
When I worked in the service industry, my coworkers used to rave about this place, mainly about the drinks and the vibes because the goal for any night out is to feel like you’re on a mini vacation from everyday life. After eventually finding parking in River North, cause if you know, you know. My friend and I made our way to Bar Goa, starting with drinks. Since the dishwasher was out, the host informed us that we would be drinking out of plastic cups for any drinks ordered. Which is fine by me, so I’ll leave the drink review for another time, because the glass you put it in kinda matters. My daiquiri was on the sour side, not really my preference but overall good. Now on to the appetizers! We started with the kebab sampler, which featured lamb, chicken, and Cafreal paneer that is a type of cheese with a similar texture to tofu. Cafreal is a style of cooking introduced to the Portuguese by way of colonizing Mozambique in Africa, making its way to the Indian state of Goa also through colonization. Isn’t that something, colonization be shaking things up, and I am learning this as I write.
For main dishes we had the Malwani Fish Curry and the Shrimp Kolidwada which were both exceptional. American spices don’t do that thing where it circulate your taste buds and intensify the flavors, it’s just hot. These dishes were the opposite. The fish curry dish is sea bass plated in a bowl of chili and tamarind coconut curry, a superb explosion of flavors. The shrimp coated in chili and fried to perfection had a chutney sauce that created the perfect cooling balance for the shrimp.
The atmosphere was relaxed for a cold Chicago Thursday in March and the service was welcoming. For dessert, we tried a cheesecake with the world’s most expensive spice, saffron. The taste was delightful and was my first time trying a dessert with saffron as the focal point.
If you’re looking to impress out of town friends and family, clients, and people who are serious about food this taste into Goan culture is top tier.
Area: Chicago, River North
Parking:Paid Street Parking
Paid: $180 for 3 cocktails, 2 appetizers, 2 entrées, and dessert for two people.
Atmosphere: Chic, smedium sized cozy restaurant that transform into the “Ibiza of India” with a hot DJ lineup.