Why After Dinner makes for a cosy, after-party haunt in Goa

Why After Dinner makes for a cosy, after-party haunt in Goa

Life Style


Imagine walking into a bar and being handed a toothbrush by the server. Relax, it is not a comment on your dental hygiene. In fact, this is mixologist Harsh Pandya’s way of welcoming you to After Dinner, the newest hotspot in Goa’s laid-back coastal village, Anjuna. Call it a quirky welcome drink or a palate cleanser, Mouthwash is made with mint-washed rum, lemongrass liqueur, a balanced mix of malic and citric acid, saline, and warm spices, like cardamom, star anise, cloves and cinnamon. “It sets the tone for the journey ahead, aligning perfectly with After Dinner’s goal of creating a relaxed, inviting atmosphere, where guests feel right at home,” says Harsh.

Mixologist Harsh Pandya
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Special Arrangement

The bar, which is housed inside the popular Pisco by the Beach, feels like being inside a friend’s living room. Cute corners, plush sofas and warm lighting create a cozy space, while reclaimed wood and local ceramics at the plastic-free bar pay tribute to the Goan spirit. The highlight, though, is the uninterrupted view of the Arabian sea from the large windows.

After Dinner has been designed by Right Brain Design, a Mumbai-based integrated interior design and architecture studio

After Dinner has been designed by Right Brain Design, a Mumbai-based integrated interior design and architecture studio
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Special Arrangement

Conceived by restaurateurs Twinkle Keswani and Daniel Lobo, and Chef Rohan D’Souza, After Dinner has been designed by Sheldon Pereira and Rahul Thakkar, co-founders and principal designers, of Right Brain Design, a Mumbai-based integrated interior design and architecture studio.

Cute corners, plush sofas and warm lighting create a cozy space at After Dinner that overlooks the Arabian sea

Cute corners, plush sofas and warm lighting create a cozy space at After Dinner that overlooks the Arabian sea
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Special Arrangement

Rohan, who also owns Pisco by The Beach along with Twinkle, says, “The idea, was to have a place where people can walk in after dinner and continue to unwind till the wee hours of morning.”

The bar area at After Dinner

The bar area at After Dinner
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Special Arrangement

Quench your thirst

For cocktails, Harsh — a finance professional from Australia, who decided to quit it all for a career in crafting cocktails — takes inspiration from different components of a house, like bathroom, bedroom, balcony, study and garden. The quirky Mouthwash, quite obviously, is a fun nod to the bathroom.

Cocktail clarified coffee sour is inspired by study rooms

Cocktail clarified coffee sour is inspired by study rooms
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Special Arrangement

Clarified coffee sour, which incidentally turns out to be the drink of the night for us, is inspired by the study. The idea, says Harsh, is to enjoy coffee aromatics, which is why it has been clarified using a coffee puck and contains spiced pineapple rum, white rum, coconut concentrate and lime juice. It is garnished with a Tiramisu ladyfinger, freshly whipped cream and orange zest. The result is a light, aromatic concoction.

Something saucy is a cocktail made with tequila, habanero sauce, pineapple juice, coconut water and Cointreau

Something saucy is a cocktail made with tequila, habanero sauce, pineapple juice, coconut water and Cointreau
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Special Arrangement

Spice lovers could try something saucy, a cocktail made with tequila, habanero sauce, pineapple juice, coconut water and Cointreau. Its garnish, coconut and kachampuli caviar, cuts down the heat and compliments the flavours.

Inspired by the study, pandan negroni is a mix of Campari, gin and homemade pandan liqueur

Inspired by the study, pandan negroni is a mix of Campari, gin and homemade pandan liqueur
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Special arrangement

Inspired by the study, the pandan negroni is another favourite, blending Campari, gin and homemade pandan liqueur. It is spirit-forward and heady. A creative take on the childrens’ room are two drinks named Lollipops & Rainbows, and Banana Pancakes. The former contains cherries and strawberries, while the latter has banana liqueur and mezcal.

Mood for food

Rohan tells us that the cocktail programme came first, followed by the food menu comprising tapas-style dishes created to compliment the drinks. We could not get enough of the cheddar cheese and parmesan crackers. The ones with cheddar come with a delicious topping of spiced fig and grape chutney, while parmesan crackers are accompanied by spicy beetroot, shallot grape tartare and balsamic caviar.

Living room chicken hot dog brioche buns at After Dinner

Living room chicken hot dog brioche buns at After Dinner
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Special arrangement

However, the mille-feuille of chilled salmon and watermelon tartare, and the old school tempura Sichuan river pepper prawn fall short of expectation. There just is not enough flavour packed in. The desserts, though, make up for it. Try the teacup tiramisu and profiteroles, stuffed with milk chocolate ganache and walnuts, both are gooey and indulgent.

Some things are best enjoyed after dinner.

Milk chocolate ganache & walnut profiteroles pack a flavourful punch

Milk chocolate ganache & walnut profiteroles pack a flavourful punch
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Special arrangement

Located inside Pisco by the Beach at St Michael Vaddo, Flea Market, Anjuna, Goa, After Dinner opens at 9.30pm and a meal for two costs nearly ₹2,500.



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