Fresh Catch By Francis sits on the second floor of Khan House, right above the McDonald's on Hill Road in Bandra. Inside, the cozy, 65-seat space has the feel of a Goan holiday home, with soft pink sofas, cane lights hanging from the ceiling, and large French windows. One wall is covered in photographs of the late founder, Francis Fernandes, posing with a long list of celebrity patrons – a testament to the restaurant’s history.
The restaurant has been a family-run operation since 1998, built on a simple philosophy: serve only the freshest seafood of the day. This principle comes from Francis himself, who brought his mother’s home-style coastal recipes from his hometown of Honavar, Karnataka, to Mumbai. The cuisine is a mix of Goan, Mangalorean, and Karwari traditions, and the authenticity is taken seriously – many of the spices and coconuts are still sourced directly from the Karwar region to maintain the original flavors.
Everything here is made to order, with spices ground fresh for each dish rather than using pre-prepared marinades. The menu is dominated by seafood, with specialties like Prawns Rechado, Surmai Rawa Fry, Bombil Rava Fry, and Crab in Butter Garlic. Thin Neer Dosas are the standard accompaniment for soaking up the curries.
Today, Francis’s children, Adith and Ankita, run the place, maintaining the same standards their father established. The restaurant is small and has a loyal following, so making a reservation is a good idea. For dessert, the Goan layered cake, Bebinca, is the classic way to finish the meal.
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