THE PLACE
A charming garden bistro
THE RESTAURANT
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FROM BREAKFAST TILL HIGH-TEA
"Eating in Villa Blanche is like a gastronomical time travel through the tastes of old fashioned Europe (some recipes have been handed down to me by my grandmother"), says Yogini, the creative force behind this charming cafe.
THE INGREDIENTS
The ingredients are collected from source at local markets and speciality stores across Europe and the Middle East, and brought overland by the owners every year. Delicacies include Black Forest Ham from Germany, salami and home-made pasta from Italy, organic olive right from the farmer, olives from Greece, Bulgur from Turkey, sugar from Switzerland and dates from Iran; and everything is incorporated in the Villa Blanche menu!
In fact, as soon the owners return to Europe, they begin preparing for their upcoming season in Goa, from making rhubarb comport to collecting mushrooms in the Swiss mountains and elder flowers that they bring in bottles of 50litres!
THE MENU
The food at Villa Blanche may best be described as easy comfort food- home cooked food prepared with a lot attention to detail, as mum would do. The menu features breakfast all day, lunch with assorted sandwiches (including a Bagel with Lox and Cream Cheese!), hot plates and a daily special menu featuring everything from freshly prepared Veggie Quiches to a sumptuous Beef Lasagne, as well as seasonal specialities. For a sweet treat, ask for the hand made ice cream (made with the imported Caprigiani machine), available in many flavours. The restaurant additionally features a veggie and healthy menu.
THE BAKERY
THE STORY
Villa Blanche opened in December 2006 initially as a place for great cakes, cookies and breakfast food. Over the course of the next two years, it slowly evolved into a bistro open through lunch and early evening.
Yogini, the creative force behind this charming eatery, first settled in Goa in 2001. By 2003, she was a partner in the popular pizzeria in the Saturday Night Market.
After receiving many commendations from friends on her fabulous cakes, the idea of a cafe began to take shape. Soon thereafter, the Portuguese house where the bistro stands today was bought, and the Villa Blanche story was born.
Yogini manages Villa Blanche along with her life partner, Marco. Each year, Marco, along with his faithful canine companion, drives his transformed blue Swiss postal bus overland to India from Switzerland, loading up his mobile home with special delicacies and ingredients along the way.
