Ritz classic has been in town for quite some time and carved a niche for itself in this line, Seafood being their specialty.
The readers must understand that, this review can be read from various angles, a local Goan chap going here for a regular fish thali meal (and may be some seafood), a domestic tourist either a north Indian or south Indian or any other parts of the country, who do not understand Goan preparation or do not like fish/seafood and the third - a foreign tourist who has a lot of interest in variety of cuisines.
Based on these types of readers, there could be different observations, like: If I am a Goan visiting this place for a plain fish curry rice, I would not be able to afford it on daily basis, while a domestic tourist may find it worth the money (to eat once) and a forigner may find it - too cheap!
Secondly, being in Goa, I have tried various other restaurants and understand what sells where, so I may find this place not worth waiting in queue, when I know I can find an equally good (or even better) thali at other location (may be even cheaper). So, I do not like the mad-rush at this place, then comes the attitude of paying less attention to those who plainly order a fish thali and quietly spend about 30 mins of the restaurant’s’valuable’ time giving them a little income. So, if not once-for-try, I would give this place a miss.
Most others who visit here are mostly first-timers, who come here because the place has been highly recommended to them by someone (it could be even their cab driver).
Again, same thing - do not go here for a Butter chicken/Naan type of food, go here for authentic Goan food, fish, seafood and some beers!
Location: Place is right in the heart of Panjim town at the 18th June road. Ask for National Theatre. Its on the second floor of a not-so-decent looking building, with stairs leading through a small lane to this restaurant.
Parking: Very Tough! This restaurant is at a busy road of 18th June, one just need to be lucky to find some place, else you will need to take rounds near the place to find some place.
Ambiance: Once you are in, the place is much better, its a small setup with tables crowded and there is hardly any space for you to move around. During peak lunch hours, the place gets too crowded, so much so that I have experienced, standing next to a table, looking at the hogging buddies, waiting anxiously for them to finish their food, so that we could grab the seat, next. Its bad and this puts off most customers.
Menu: Like I mentioned above, this place will offer you regular choices of Chicken dishes, Starters, Rotis etc but their USP is the Fish/seafood. This is a delicious meal having a big portion of fried Fish, (usually) Prawn curry, Rice, other Goan specialty dishes like Kismoor or Tisryo etc. The quantity is just about enough for one person. Ask for a Kingfisher beer to supplement your meal.
Besides, you can ask for a lot of variety of sea-food, all is good.
Service: Though staff try to be polite and humble, its the maddening crowd and demands makes the situation sometimes go out of control, where everybody start chasing waiters inquiring about their orders and can get a little chaotic during lunch times.
Price: Slightly over-priced but as I said earlier, it depends on what kind of customer you are.
Final take?: For my type of customer, I would prefer to go to this, may be once in 3-6 months time. If you are other type and have liking for the type of food I described, you should visit it once, definitely.