New Delhi, April 25 -- A hush comes over the table when it arrives. Eleven layers of chocolate cake, whipped chocolate ganache, a hint of a few spices and loads of comfort. The Great Wall of Anjuna, a decadent and deeply oomph-y chocolate cake, is not what I was expecting at Jolene, one of Goa's hottest new sunset spots, that boasts of great sea views and dangerously addictive picante cocktails. Later that week, while dining at Hosa, an elegant south Indian dining spot in Goa by the folks behind Indian Accent, I'm blown away by the coconut and curry leaf ice cream and wonderfully nostalgic Iyengar Honey Cake that's served with whipped coconut cream, jam glaze and honey.

Sampling these delights got me thinking of other places where I've t...