There’s a little bit of Italy hidden away in the lovely village of Majorda just waiting for you with typical Italian hospitality and excellent food. Da Tita by Magic Italy needs no introduction.
Its famous homemade pizzas, pastas, ravioli and other offerings have cemented its reputation as pizzeria of repute. Da Tita’s story of origin is interesting and dates back to the 1990s.
“Our family business started as an experiment, an experience, and here we are 25 years later, the fire burning brighter than ever, as this is only the beginning,” says Alice Surya Minelli who is leading the Italian way after she was handed over the baton.
FAR FROM BUSINESS ORIENTED
Giovanni Battista Minelli (83) and Claudia Zubani (71), originally from Italy, decided to travel together in their 50s – mostly to decide what they wanted to do after getting away from their monotonous European lifestyle.
Around this time a friend suggested they look for work in Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh at a fancy hotel in the F&B department. They didn’t like the place, and while travelling immediately fell in love with Palolem Beach when they stumbled upon it.
Surya is currently running the place with her partner Darayus Engineer.
BEGINNINGS IN PALOLEM
Giovanni and Claudia rented a small property for a gastronomia (meaning “a takeaway place”) called Magic Italy.
Alice Surya says, “My mother used to make homemade pasta and other very simple dishes. No pizza, just varieties of homemade pasta, homemade ravioli. It was a very simple veranda which served homemade Italian dishes.”
Back in the day it was mostly frequented by hippies and hardcore travellers who survived on a spicy Indian diet for several months at a time and really needed some European food. They knew they could go to Magic Italy in Palolem.
My mother used to make homemade pasta and other very simple dishes. No pizza, just varieties of homemade pasta, homemade ravioli. It was a very simple veranda which served homemade Italian dishes.
Alice Surya Minelli, of Da Tita pizzeria
After the owners decided to part ways, Giovanni decided to move to Majorda to establish Da Tita. And in 2021, during the pandemic, after a long run of over 22 years, the Palolem establishment was closed permanently.
“Eventually, my partner, Darayus Engineer, and I, were given the opportunity by my father to take over the business operation here in Majorda. With Da Tita by Magic Italy, we took the best of Magic Italy and of Da Tita, resulting in a beautiful amalgamation of traditional Italian cuisine with fusion influences,” says Alice.
DELECTABLE ITALIAN DELICACIES
At Da Tita by Magic Italy, they are proud of their traditional Italian delicacies. Their most important ingredients like prosciutto and parmigiano are imported from Italy. But there are also dishes like the Four Sausage Pizza that are inspired by the concept of fusion cuisine.
As Alice gets busy tending to guests, she says, “Da Tita wasn’t born as a business. We still don’t treat it as one. My parents belong to a culture in which food is a very important part of life, and this concept guides the way we operate here.”
She continues, “We realised that there is more success in the genuine, rather than trying to convert the love for food into an industry with the sole purpose to make a profit.”
TRADITIONAL RECIPES
Using products from companies like D’autore, Zanetti, Pietro Corilcelli and many more, the profit margin is very low. But they don’t let that compromise their quality and direction. Also, the consistency of Italian pizza differs if you don’t use the same high-quality ingredients.
Da Tita imports products like extra virgin olive oil, cheeses, balsamic vinegar, prosciutto and salami, artichokes, olives, anchovies among others.
“We keep our menu as traditional as possible, simple. We only stick to what we know, and no matter what, our roots will remain strong,” smiles Surya.
She points out some of their specials, including the famous Mix Magic Italy, which is a dish composed of half a portion of lasagna and half a portion of ravioli, both homemade.
“Our recipes include gems passed on from generation to generation: our family never went to culinary school. Everything we do and serve is nothing but what my grandmother taught my mother and what my mother taught me. And we have trained our chefs in this exact same manner. No frills attached. Consistency and hygiene remain top priority,” quips Surya.
Our recipes include gems passed on from generation to generation: our family never went to culinary school. Everything we do and serve is nothing but what my grandmother taught my mother and what my mother taught me.
Alice Surya Minelli, of Da Tita pizzeria
FUN ALL WEEK AT DA TITA
Apart from the delicious food, Da Tita has a line-up of fun events throughout the week. Experience some awesome live music on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. If you are a fan of Formula 1 racing, this is your place to be – with a big screen and special audio, accompanied by complimentary snacks and a victory drink.
They also organise fun events such as pumpkin carving on Halloween, and during Christmas, the restaurant is decked with decorations to set the vibe with carols and Christmas lights. Da Tita is closed on Wednesday.