Nestled on the bank of the historical Singapore River, which houses turn of the century shophouses, Haldhi Restaurant stood out like a gem with its intricate, carved wooden paneling and heavy wooden doors. Originally built to provide warehousing facilities, these rows of shophouses, juxtaposed against skyscrapers in the business district of Singapore, creates a stunning skyline while at the same time, a picturesque setting to indulge in a sumptuous meal.
The Vibe
Taking its cue from the yellow hue of the turmeric or haldi as it is called in Hindi, this brightly painted three-storey shophouse boasts two sitting arrangements. Choose to be seated indoors and you be transported in time to the Moghul era. Patrons will be treated to colourful arcs, mirrors etched with Moghul dancers and even ancient battle artifacts. Mr. Sachev, the Assistant Manager pointed out that the restaurant takes great pride in providing an “authentic” ambience to match its objective of providing an authentic taste of India. Not to be outdone, the outdoors sitting facility boasts an enviable expanse of the Singapore River. Notably, the feeling of surreal permeates against the backdrop of the statue of Raffles; standing majestically on the bank overlooking the hustle and bustle of the bumboats, busy transporting passengers – all reminiscence of a time long forgotten.
The Food
Start off your gastronomical pleasure with the Delhi ka samosa ($5), a tasteful appetizer in servings of two. This generously sized, deep-fried pyramid shaped pancake is stuffed to the brim with spiced potatoes, cashew nuts and raisins. Unlike ordinary samosa, patrons can asked for the crust to be served crispy or to their liking. For an authentic Indian drink, try the Mango lassi, a delicious concoction of yogurt drink teamed with a mango flavour. For the health conscious, patrons can ask for the lassi to be made using low fat milk. The restaurants will also accede to various requests for it lassi, ranging from various degrees of sweetness to even a masala flavoured one!
The house specialty, Shann-e-raan or leg of lamb is simply a dish not to be missed and is purported to be the only one in Singapore. Served in portions of either half for two people ($25) or full for four ($45), the leg of the lamb is done in a way that combines an assortment of spices, pot roasted and then cooked in a tandoor. The end product is a delicacy that does not exude the muttonish smell and is succulent enough to be savoured bit by bit. This dish goes well with the assorted breads or different types of rice. However, if you are someone that needs gravy to tee off, then the bhuna gosht ($17) or tender lamb cooked in mildly spiced gravy is a good start.
If you have looked through the menu and think that you are too spoilt for choice, then the assorted kabab platter is indeed a lifeline. Recommended for a group of four ($60), this platter consists of the various types of kababs ranging from seafood to chicken to meat and varies from spicy and to non-spicy varieties. Ideal for a group that consist of diverse eaters, this platter serves for instance, Tangri Kabab or The Murgh Malai Kabab, which is fresh chicken with a buttery aftertaste, are perfect for those with a low tolerance for spiciness. Conversely, for those who love the spicy aftertaste, then the Chicken Tikka or boneless chicken is the ideal choice or pick the Hariyali kabab, whose main ingredients consist of green vegetables, giving it a greenish look and a minty aftertaste. For seafood lovers, then the tandoori jhinge or prawn dipped in ajwain and grilled to perfection in the tandoor is something not to be missed especially when the prawns are decidedly fresh. Then, bite into the Seekh kabab or Barrah-e-haldhi, two of types of the mutton kababs, which are baked and cooked over low fire. Indeed, there is something for everybody!
On the conclusion of dining, patrons are invited to rest, unwind and partake in drinks at the music lounge, Bollywood Dhoom, located on the third storey. Here, patrons can request for songs or listen to a live band featuring songs from Hindi, Tamil or other Indian languages.
The SD Food Advisor's take on Haldhi Restaurant
Visiting Haldhi Restaurant is definitely a win-win situation in terms of price, service and ambience. The waiters' takes time to discuss the patron's wishes and try to incorporate them into the dishes served. Food will then be cooked on the spot. In lieu of that, the preparation and cooking time of a quarter of an hour is indeed reasonable considering that the patron's taste is of utmost priority. Moreover, the waiting time is almost imperceptible when one is serenaded by the cool breeze and gazing at a magnificent view. Understandably, while the outdoor setting may be its biggest draw, it may also be its drawback. In light of the constant breeze, the food served tend to get cold quite easily, thus curtailing extended conversation. Likewise, one may also catch a waft of the pungent diesel-fumes, a by-product of the bumboat due to its pick-up proximity to the restaurant. Nonetheless, this minor infringement should not curtail one's enjoyment of the food nor the ambience.
and also try little india..there r some pubs wit live band there as well.
Race Course Road
If you are looking for a quieter side of Little India. take a stroll down this road named after the Race Course where Farrer Park Stadium now stands. Do check out some of the most famous Indian curry restaurants in Singapore as well as lively pubs that serve up music with a strong Indian beat.
2007-03-13 06:04:14
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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