City folks, most of us, crave for travels that make us slow down. Tucked away in the quiet village of Saligao in North Goa is The First House — a 130-year-old Portuguese private villa that offers a serene retreat for those who wish to unwind in nature’s lap while experiencing exclusive curated experiences. The 10-bedroom private villa is a restored Portuguese colonial residence reimagined by interior designer Ayaz Basrai and held by Yogi Shah and Sochna Hegde, who are also the founders of boutique travel company, The Villa Escape. “The First House is so exclusive that one has to call us one-on-one to make reservations. We do not let out a room at a time. One has to reserve the entire villa,” says Yogi Shah.
The First House spread across 2 acres, landscaped around gardens and lawns adds to the visual relief for the eyes. The lush outdoors also make it an ideal retreat to host intimate weddings and family gatherings. Enter inside the 10 en-suite bedrooms and they are tastefully done, keeping the Goan-Portuguese culture intact while offering contemporary design with large verandas offering green spaces, pool-sides, view of the paddy fields, along with in-room amenities.
A farm-to-table concept
However, beyond the stay, it’s the farm-to-table concept at The Fresh Produce farm introduced by Rakhee and Rakesh Shah, owners of the property, that has gained momentum. It is a massive urban hydroponic farm, located on the grounds of First House that grows fresh produce which are used by the kitchen for a farm-to-fork experience.
“The Fresh Produce farm delivers 100% fresh and pesticide-free produce. It’s looked after by Dr Kashyap Gupta, who moved from Mumbai and now lives in Goa. They grow their crops using hydroponics, a soil-free method where plants are cultivated in water-based, nutrient-rich solutions and supported by inert substrates like hydroton or cocopeat. They also produce nutritionally dense vegetables and herbs that are higher in vital nutrients and antioxidants,” Sochna Hegde tells Outlook Luxe.
In the farm, you will find everything from your microgreens, salad leaves, root vegetables, leafy vegetables, condiments, and more. The produce is then used for dishes in the menu, balancing nutrition, deliciousness, and local flavours. “Almost all the fresh produce (condiments, fresh spices like chillies, dressings like coriander comes from The Fresh Produce. Every meal will have one salad that will be made entirely made from the freshest ingredients grown there,” Sochna Hegde adds.
Mindful Living
The farm-to-table concept is gaining momentum as more people embrace conscious living. At The First House, it’s their primary offering. Yogi Shah tells, “What we have also witnessed over the past few years is the growing need for our guests to spend time together with their loved ones in the villa itself during their stay in Goa. That is why food is such a core component at The First House. Our guests, most of whom are well-established individuals/corporate honchos, love to gather around our large dining table and spend a lot of time talking, bonding, and mulling. It was only fitting then that The Fresh Produce took birth.”
He adds that while Goa is “all about susegad, music, love, warmth and bonding,” food can’t be left behind. “Food cooked with home-grown, freshly sourced ingredients is the biggest luxury. So, you will have a scramble, and a chorizo sitting right next to a delicious local prawn curry. There will be sheera as well as serradura. That is India, Goa, and the First House for you,” he says.
