By Odette and Joe Mascarenhas

Talking about the heading, Beleza - means beautiful and Tentacao - means temptation. We were told about this unspoilt ‘haven’ called Beleza by the beach, the resort had just played ‘host’ to the wine connoisseurs of the country, and so we drove to this location with just an address…. ‘near Bollywood Sea Queen’.

Luckily the weather Gods were kind to us as we bumped along a small dirt track towards the place.

Joe grumbled as we drove along this small stretch, until we drove through the wide gates to this beautiful Boutique Villa Resort, aptly named. Ah! Yes. We drove towards an informal reception, a chilled out place, to try their specialities in their Bar and Multi-cuisine restaurant - Tentacao.

Tina Chopra the co-ordinator in Food and Beverage was there to meet us with Nelson Monteiro who looks after the villa division. And the manager behind keeping this place so spic and span when the rain has played havoc with other properties - Senor Roque Mascarenhas.

The Bar cum Restaurant is open with a display kitchen; it really gives one a chilled-out feeling. And we decided to do just that. Pick out the goodies that we normally would enjoy. So while we decided on the starters, Joe decided on his, his favourite Margarita. Now if you think that this chilled-out place does not have a trick or two under its sleeves, then think again. Attractively decorated with a pineapple chunk and decorative umbrella, Santosh, the barman, decided to tempt the senses visually. Just the ticket and so did the chef. The prawn cocktail that had materialised on the table, the tangy cocktail sauce right up to the slice of egg and olive was temptation indeed. The prawns were absolutely fresh, succulent and moist, the sauce napped to perfection. And while we are on the subject of prawns, butter garlic prawns are normally not a preparation I would order, but Tina coaxed me into ordering. I guess she knows the kitchen ‘specialities.’ Oozing with butter, the freshness of the prawns in fine pieces of garlic, did Adam feel this way when Eve offered him the apple? I took on another two prawns…damn the diet I told my niggling conscience.

For vegetarians there is the Hara Barra kebab that is a hot seller but if one wants to go the whole way with the main course - try the Pepper chicken. A mind blowing taste, the greenish brown thick gravy was spiced to perfection, even the serpent in that Garden of Eden would not have to use his wiles to get Eve hooked. Yours truly was, totally hooked. And Joe enjoyed every morsel.

Roque informed us that the Goan preparations were going to be prepared by a local lady, one who had worked in many starred hotels along the belt. And if the pepper chicken curry is anything to go by, I am sure you all will be in for a feast.

So a combination of multi-cuisine favourites for a ‘chilled-out’ experience…. that is what this haven offers. A walk on the crystalline sands and then a meal that would tempt the die hard foodie, that is what is so beautiful in the temptation of ones taste buds. Gottcha! Beleza Temtacao….

Now if you think that these ‘sweet nothings’ were whispered in my ear by my better half…you better think again. There should be workshops to re-kindle this terminology after the age of…’Oops!’ I better not step on any feelings. But coming back to the heading… Beleza - means beautiful and Tentacao - means temptation. And putting the two together……