Whether you’re craving modern Indian or something more traditional, we’ve got your spice fix covered with this trio of new restaurants in town.
27 Degrees West (27°West)
With India located precisely 27°West of Singapore, Varun Inamdar helms couldn’t have chosen a more apt name for his first international outpost. Easily one of Mumbai’s top celebrity chefs, Inamdar has cooked for over two decades for celebrities and royals all over the world, and goes by many names, such as “The Bombay Chef”, and “The Prince of Chocolates”, thanks to his creation of India’s first edible six-foot Chocolate Mannequin and Chocolate Ganesha, among other accolades.
The vibrant, 110-seater chic bar and restaurant is the newest Indian restaurant on Orchard Road, offering eclectic, contemporary Indian fare. Signature dishes exclusive to Singapore include The “Varun Inamdar” Butter Chicken ($29); Crabmeat Thecha Thermidor ($35), a twist on Lobster Thermidor using crabs from India’s coastline and complemented by thecha, a popular chilli garlic condiment from the state of Maharashtra; as well as the Jowar Khichdi ($25), Inamdar’s version of nutrient-rich “no rice” millet porridge, inspired by his grandmother. For something meatier, the Smoked Lamb Rack, Beliram ($55) is equally moreish.
For something different, don’t miss the Beef Tartare ($20) for hand-cut oyster blade beef folded with masala miso, wispy mustard, and confit egg; Malabar Scallop ($24) for Hokkaido scallop sweetened with miso coconut and buckwheat; as well as Togarashi Tossed Bhindi Jaipuri ($15), a rendition of Jaipur’s popular chaats featuring crisp fried okra sprinkled with shichimi tōgarashi, accompanied by a 72-hour homemade fermented beetroot chutney ketchup.
For dessert (each $15), Indian classics with a modern twist include Coconut Kulfi with grilled pineapple and pomegranate molasses; and the signature Rasmalai Tres Leches. Equally decadent is the Chocolate Mess (created specially for The Obamas), featuring rich, dark chocolate ganache with a mix of cranberry and raspberry.
For cocktails, the 27°West outdoor lounge and bar area flanks gorgeous coloured tipples ($24 each), equally laden with spice. Must-tries include the Prince of Cocoa (inspired by Inamdar’s Chocolate Prince title) for cacao nibs-infused Sailor Jerry rum, demerara sugar, and a dash of bitters; while the signature red-hued Mem Saheb’s Vice features Hendricks Gin, Avallen Calvados, raspberry, elderflower and curry leaf. For a taste of the ocean, the aptly named ice blue Indian Ocean is concocted from Pistola Joven agave laden with wakame, and coconut, garnished with a lychee pearl.
27°West is at 362 Orchard Road, Singapore 238887. For reservations, visit here.
Bhoomi
Experience India’s rich tapestry of cuisines with nostalgic age-old recipes and regional specialities through chef Milind Sovani’s lens at Bhoomi, paying a heartfelt homage to India’s culinary heritage. Celebrating tradition and authenticity from each region of the country, Sovani’s menu is a curation of traditional recipes using nutrition-preserving cooking techniques, including some of Sovani’s childhood favourites, complemented by Bhoomi’s earthy decor to create an ambience that echoes the warmth of Indian hospitality and homecoming.
Bhoomi’s menu, Bhoomipedia, is peppered with explorative narratives of India’s forgotten culinary heritage, taking diners back to India’s culinary roots with dishes such as the coconut-laced curry of Kerala Prawn Moilee ($32++); Meghwadi Panchmeli Dal ($16++), the traditional five-lentil dal from Rajasthan served with smoked chilli; Awadhi Chicken Dum Biryani ($28++); and gluten-free seeded Amaranth Roti ($7++).
The menu ends with classic quintessential desserts of Kulfi and Rasmalai, both with Sovani’s personal twist on them.
Bhoomi is at 1 Claymore Drive, #01-05, Singapore 229594. For reservations, click here.
Saheb’s – The Indian Restaurant
Sahebs (a term often used in India meaning “sir”) is a humble ode to the bygone colonial era, serving traditional Indian cuisine with passion, love and loads of time to be spent with friends and family. But make no mistake. Sahebs moves away from the idea of a stuffy Indian meal with the usual menu suspects, to being a place where one can eat, drink and laugh open-heartedly, a simple reminder that life is about having fun and not taking yourself too seriously. Simply put, Saheb’s is a love affair with authentic Indian cuisine.
The highlights? Choose from a Dal Makhani ($20) that is cooked overnight on the tandoor, or Purani Dilli-style (tandoor-roasted old Delhi-style) Chicken Tikka ($22). On the menu are also roasted corn on the cob Masala Bhutta ($6), boneless Railway Mutton Curry ($28), classic Old Bombay Butter Chicken ($26), Goan fish Curry ($27),, and Sarson ka Saag ($20) for classic mustard greens from Punjab, among many others. Don’t miss the Pulled Lamb Naan Tacos ($14) and Paneer Kadahi ($26) for a taste of the original version of the British Indian tikka masala curry.
Saheb’s is at #01-01 Claymore Connect, 442 Orchard Road, Singapore 238879. For reservations, visit here.
