Introducing: Chicken Xacuti

Another great Indian place, this one offers specialties from the Western seaside state of Goa (as its name, Cafe Goa, implies). Westford is kind of a haul from Boston, but the food here is worth it. This little blurb ran on Page 2 of the Boston Globe's "Food" section, in a column called "Short Orders."

May 30, 2007

Spice and heat from India’s seaside state of Goa

You can easily satisfy cravings for North Indian food around Boston, and some restaurants offer dosas and other South Indian delicacies. But unless you have your heart set on a fiery, vinegary vindaloo, it's hard to find specialties from the seaside state of Goa. Located on India's west coast, Goa was colonized by the Portuguese, and their influence is still evident in the dishes, which are known by the liberal use of tiny, hot chilies, the tang of vinegar, and the sweet silkiness of coconut milk. Chicken xacuti ($15.95) at Cafe Goa in Westford is a gentle example of this tiny state's distinctive cuisine. It's lush and smooth, with a coconut base and sparks of fresh ginger, which lend both spice and heat. Or look for other Goan specialties, such as shrimp balchao or a traditional Goan fish curry.

Cafe Goa, 175 Little Road (Rt. 110), Westford, 978-399-0009.

-- Lylah M. Alphonse [More]