Friday, May 23, 2014

D'Bell @ North Canal Road

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Indian cuisine does not always come in big pots and pans, or heavily greased with butter. D'Bell at North Canal Road serves modern Indian inspired dishes meant to be shared, even over your favourite cocktails, if you preferred. Cook without butter, light but rich on the palate, you can now enjoy Indian dishes without filling the guilt.

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Papadum Cones 4/5

First we had Papadum Cones ($5.80) which is crispy papadums shaped into cones and filled with a refreshing vegetable relish to tease our appetite. I could taste the cumin in almost every bite just the way I like it to be and it was extremely crispy.

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D'Bell Kofta Kebab 4.2/5

Next served on the table was the D'Bell Kofta Kebab ($18), beef croquette filled with cheddar cheese, prunes and dusted with semolina. The prunes teased out the taste of the beef which was quite an interesting combination. With the cheese in between and the mini naan at the side, it sort of reminded me of a burger? Beef, cheese and bread? Richer in taste among the starters, it is best to have it last. It would also serve a good companion to wines and cocktails.

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Tandoori Fish Nazaka 3.8/5

The Tandorri Fish Nazaka ($22) comes in cubes of butterfish cooked over a charcoal flame. It is not heavily seasoned which is exactly how I like it. However the texture was not as tender and moist as I would like it to be.

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Masala Aloo Tikki 4.5/5

The Masala Aloo Tikki ($10) instead of being overshadowed by its meaty counterparts, the crispy potato cake filled with green peas masala and coated with tamarind fruit chutney and minty yogurt sauce delighted me the most. The combustion of flavours and textures really took me by surprise. Bits of savoury, sweetness, sour is extremely yummy, not to forget the crispy topping.

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Chilli Cheese Naan 4/5 and Kashmiri Naan 4.5/5

For the mains, of course we must have the quintessential naans to go with the different curries and Dal. We have the Chilli Cheese Naan ($8) and Kashmiri Naan ($8) which were freshly baked from the tandoor. Both type of naans were soft and fluffy but I much prefer Kashmiri with the curries. I simply love the combination of sweet and savory. I felt the curry did not really go well with chilli cheese naan. It was kind of overwhelming and did not do the curries justice with both flavours fighting against each other.

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Goan Prawn Masala 4/5

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Chicken Tikka Masala 4.2/5

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Mutton Rogan Josh 4.5/5

For the curries, we had the Goan Prawn Masala ($22), Chicken Tikka Masala ($18) and Mutton Rogan Josh ($20). The prawns were succulent, the chicken was tender and the mutton simply melted in the mouth. They were all very well executed and flavourful. Perfect match for the delightful naans.

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Amritsari Dal 4.2/5

The Amritasari Dal ($12) which is simmered overnight on charcoal flame in authentic village style was grainy and chunky. Along with the curries and dal, we were served 3 different dips. The Fruit Chutney, Mint and Pickles have their own distinct taste and characters. The sweetness of the fruit chutney complemented the chilli naan very well. The pickles cut the creaminess of the curries by adding some tanginess to it. It was so good that I even asked for a second helping.

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Mango Kulfi 4/5

For a sweet closure, we had the Mango Kulfi ($7.50), a Indian ice cream prepared with Alphonso mango. Not quite sure how to describe it but the consensus was it tasted like a frozen mango lassi. A very enjoyable dessert to cleanse the palate after all the curries and spices.

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Overall, I did not go home with a heavy stomach but with a pleasant taste and spices lingering in my mouth. The 2 storey Indian restaurant besides the dining area on the ground floor,  has a bar on the 2nd floor which is very conducive for corporate events or even private celebrations. If you are looking for somewhere to chill, you may want to give this a try.

Written By Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. 


[CLOSED]
D'Bell
43 North Canal Road
Singapore 059299
Tel: +65 65364046
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DBellSingapore
Website: http://www.dbell.sg/
Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 11pm
Fri: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 12midnight
Sat: 6pm - 12midnight
(Closed on Sun)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards the traffic junction of North Bridge Road and North Canal Road. Cross the road and turn right onto North Canal Road. Walk along the shophouses to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

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