When I was told that there is an Indian restaurant inside the Costa Rhu Condominium's Clubhouse, I was really curious to check out what sort of restaurant has decided to be nestled in the Tanjong Rhu area surrounded by block after block of condominium apartments. To be frank who in the public would have thought that there is an Indian restaurant inside a condominium and it is open to the public.
Vatan Se is a small homely Indian restaurant. The owner who used to be an architect decided to quit his job and pursue his passion for cooking and eating. Vante Se strives to bring to its customers food from home, just the way one would cook their food at home. The food is cooked with minimum oil and uses the best available ingredients. No artificial red and orange food colourings or MSG were used in the cooking.
Papadum with Mint Sauce 3.5/5
Complimentary Papadum is served with a mint dipping sauce while the kitchen prepares your order. I like the idea that the papad is folded into a corn shape so we can get that cracking sound when we get to break it to go with the mint dipping sauce. It just shows that the papadum was freshly made.
Chaat Papri 4/5
A popular Indian street food, the Chaat Papri ($6) was definitely my first encounter. It looked quite messy in appearance but the mixture of mint, yogurt, coriander and crisp fried dough wafers was bursting with an array of beautiful flavours working harmoniously together.
Tikka Platter 4/5
To showcases the delectable food prepared by the Tandoor (a cylindrical clay oven), I got to try the Ajwaini Paneer Tikka ($11 for full portion), Achari Fish Tikka ($12 for full portion), Mutton Seekh Kebah ($12 for full portion) and Kali Mirchi Chicken Tikka ($14 for full portion). The beauty of cooking with Tandoor is that it uses the radiant heat of the charcoal to cook the food, locking the juiciness of the meat as well as being fragrant by the smokey charcoal fire. My favourite among the platter was the Kali Mirchi Chicken Tikka and Ajwaini Paneer Tikka.
Chicken Roomali Roll 4.5/5
I am told that not many Indian restaurants make Roomali or Rumali Roti. It is basically a thin flatbread that has a delectable bite to it. I love the texture of it and its my new must order when I next visit another Indian restaurant. A must order for me at Vatan Se has to be the Chicken Roomali Roll ($12). Jam packed with beautifully marinated chicken wrapped with the roomali, it's a delish meal by itself.
Roomali Roti 4.5/5
Roomali Roti
Moving on to the mains, I have opted for the Roomali Roti ($3.50) to the rice. Yes I could not get enough of the roomali roti. Served folded like a handkerchief, the thin flatbread was huge! It can cover the whole face.
Butter Chicken 4/5
The Butter Chicken ($14 for full portion) comes with tender and moist tandoori chicken blended beautifully in a tomato and cream based gravy.
Roghan Josh 4.2/5
Roghan Josh ($16 for full portion) a traditional Kashmiri goat mutton curry blown me away with its lovely flavours and aromatic spiciness. The goat mutton was really tender and it melted in the mouth.
Punjabi Kadhi 3/5
Vegetarian selection such as the Punjabi Kadhi ($10) is available on the menu. It is a mildly spiced yogurt based curry with chickpea (besan) balls.
Dhaba Daal 3.5/5
A staple India dish, the Daalis often eaten together with rice and roti. I am a good fan of lentils but I have to say the Dhaba Daal ($9.00) was really good and went well with the roomali roti.
Kesar Kulfi 4/5
Dessert was Kesar Kulfi ($6 for full portion) a type of Indian ice cream dessert. I was already very full after the heavy meal but I could not resist finishing the kesar kulfi. The ice cream was extremely sweet but I enjoyed it a lot because it was drenched in condense milk sauce and topped with pistachio. All my favourite!
After finishing my meal, the owner showed me a rectangular box filled with colourful spices. I was told to grab a mouthful and pop inside my mouth to chew on. It is actually quite interesting. It tasted like mouthwash and the spices help to cleanse the palate.
I like the owner's enthusiasm toward's his food. It shows he is servicing food from his heart. We both agreed that there is no such thing as authentic Indian food when you are outside India. One can only strive their best to bring the authentic flavours to their customers. With this in mind, his kitchen uses specially handcrafted copper pots brought in all the way from India to prepare the food in the restaurant.
Vatan Se not only offers a homely, casual, dine in experience. It also provides home delivery and take away services. For more information check out their website. During weekends and special festive occasion, the restaurant will put up special items on the menu. Vatan Se has recently opened another outlet at China Square food court, bringing their honest and delectable Indian food closer to you.
[Moved]
Vatan Se
Costa Rhu Clubhouse
7 Rhu Cross
#01-02
Singapore 437435
Tel: +65 64404644
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vatan-Se/291247410984740
Website: http://www.vatanse.com/
Nearest MRT: Mountbatten (CC Line)
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sat-Sun & PH: 10am - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Tues)
Direction:
1) Alight at Mountbatten MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop along Mountbatten Road at Block 2 (Stop ID 80279). Take bus number 158 and alight 8 stops later. Journey time about 13 minutes. [Map]
