Sunday, October 20, 2024

[CLOSED] TOMA By The River @ The Pier at Robertson - Mod-European Riverside Dining and Drinking

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Toma By The River at Robertson Quay offers an all-day dining menu, offering flavours of Europe alongside signature craft cocktails.

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Spicy Peach Burrata 5/5

We began with the Spicy Peach Burrata ($32), a delightful dish featuring milky, pillowy burrata paired with the sweetness of peaches, citrusy orange pulp, and earthy beetroot. The flavour profile was perfectly balanced with a drizzle of cayenne honey glaze, providing a spiced contrast, while a handful of crushed pecans added a satisfying crunch and nuttiness.

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Pesto & Burrata Pizza 3.8/5

Next, we tried the Pesto & Burrata Pizza ($34), highlighting fresh burrata again, this time atop a flavorful pizza layered with basil pesto, mozzarella, and sharp Parmigiano. The cherry tomatoes' bursting sweetness brought a refreshing contrast that elevated the dish. The pizza dough had a nice bite, though some areas were slightly dry.

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Sea Bass Livornese 3.8/5

For the mains, we opted for the Sea Bass Livornese ($38), where the ocean sea bass was served with the chef's signature Livornese sauce and Spicy Citrus Salsa. The tomato, olive, and caper-based sauce offered a lovely mix of fruity sweetness, tang, and saltiness, which paired excellently with the fish. I wish there were more salsa to add more zing to the dish.

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Tiramisu 4.5/5

The sweet ending to our meal was Tiramisu ($18), a well-executed version that nailed the balance between ladyfingers and mascarpone cream. The bitterness of the amaretto-soaked ladyfingers perfectly complemented the light, velvety mascarpone cream with just the right amount of sweetness.

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Promotions:
  • 1-For-1 Draught Beer Pints, Tue-Thur 5pm onwards.
  • Free Coffee, available with any A La Carte item purchase from Tue-Fri (1130am - 3pm).
  • BYOB Thursdays.
  • Lunch Set Only $26++. Only applicable Tue-Fri.
  • Happy Hour 1-For-1, Tue-Thur 9pm till late. Only applicable to selected house pour.
  • Boozy Brunch (Sat & Sun), 2 hrs of free-flow selected house pour.
Photos and words 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]
TOMA By The River
The Pier at Robertson
80 Mohamed Sultan Road
#01-12
Singapore 239013
Tel: +65 6031 1176
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Nearest MRT: Fort Canning DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Thu: 1130am - 11pm
Fri: 1130am - 12midnight
Sat: 830am - 12midnight
Sun: 830am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to traffic junction of Clemenceau Ave and River Valley. Cross the road. Turn left and walk down Clemenceau Ave. Turn right onto Unity Street. Then left onto Merbau Road. Walk straight towards the river. Turn right at the river. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Saturday, October 19, 2024

27 Degrees West @ Orchard Road - Mumbai's Millon-followers Celebrity Chef Varun Inamdar Brings a Melting Pot of Indian Flavours to Singapore

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Mumbai's celebrated celebrity chef, Varun Inamdar, popularly known as "Mumbai's Chocolate Prince," has opened his first Indian restaurant outside India — 27 Degrees West. Nestled in Singapore, the restaurant offers a unique culinary experience that blends traditional Indian flavours with contemporary techniques. The name "27 Degrees West" pays homage to India's geographic positioning relative to Singapore. With dishes that reflect the rich diversity of Indian cuisine, 27 Degrees West delivers a memorable dining experience.

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Chicken 65 4.8/5

We kicked off our meal with a classic — Chicken 65 ($15), a beloved South Indian dish. Tender chicken chunks were seasoned with an aromatic blend of spices. Though it might seem like a simple chicken dish, the depth of flavours and the expert seasoning elevated it to something much more special, making it a solid start to the meal.

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Togarashi Tossed Bhindi Jaipuri 4/5

The Togarashi Tossed Bhindi Jaipuri ($15) was unexpectedly addictive! This dish is a modern take on Jaipur's famous chaats, featuring crispy fried okra sprinkled with a dash of shichimi togarashi. The highlight was the accompanying 72-hour fermented beetroot chutney ketchup, which added a zesty, tangy depth of flavour. I loved the chutney so much that I wished they sold it by the bottle!

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Crabmeat Thecha Thermidor 4.5/5

A crowd favourite, the Crabmeat Thecha Thermidor ($35), truly showcased Chef Varun's philosophy of blending traditional Indian flavours with modern techniques. This luxurious dish features fresh crabmeat from India's coastline, paired with Thecha, a popular chilli-garlic condiment from India. The dish was rich yet perfectly balanced, and the bold flavours worked harmoniously.

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Bagara Baingan 4.2/5

The Bagara Baingan ($28), originating from the royal kitchens of Hyderabad, is a dish that surprised me in the best way possible. Smoky eggplants are served in a creamy, nutty sauce alongside crispy starfruit chips for a bit of crunch. It's a unique dish I had never tried before, but it opened my eyes to new possibilities for eggplant. It's definitely one to remember!

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Smoked Lamb Rack, Beliram 4/5

Next, we had the Smoked Lamb Rack, Beliram ($55) — a nod to Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji's legendary royal dish, 'Gosht Beliram'. The lamb rack was marinated with Kolhapuri masala and roasted to a tender, smoky perfection over an open flame. It was served with a rich Punjabi Beliram gravy paired beautifully with the perfectly cooked lamb.

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The 'Varun Inamdar' Butter Chicken 4.5/5

Perhaps the most anticipated dish of the evening was The 'Varun Inamdar' Butter Chicken ($29). This is Chef Varun's signature recipe, popularised by millions of views on his YouTube channel, now available right here in Singapore. The chicken was incredibly succulent and simmered to absorb the creamy, tangy, and rich flavours of the butter chicken gravy. It lived up to the hype.

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Assorted Naan 3/5

To soak up the rich gravies of the meal, we ordered the Assorted Naan ($6), which came in various flavours such as plain, garlic, butter, cheese, black pepper, and even truffle! It is the perfect vehicle for the rich sauces that accompany the dishes.

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Jowar Khichdi 4.2/5

A personal favourite of mine was the Jowar Khichdi ($25), a unique "no rice" porridge made with nutrient-dense millets and desi ghee. The dish, inspired by Chef Varun's grandmother, was both hearty and comforting, with layers of complex spice that made each bite more intriguing than the last. It's a dish you could enjoy on a cold, rainy day or when you crave something warm and nourishing.

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Coconut Kulfi 4/5

For dessert, we indulged in the Coconut Kulfi ($15), a nostalgic treat that combines creamy coconut ice cream with grilled pineapple and pomegranate molasses. The addition of passion fruit added a refreshing tang, balancing the sweetness of the kulfi perfectly. A lovely dessert to end the meal.

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Chocolate Mess 4/5

Lastly, we couldn't pass up the Chocolate Mess ($15), a dessert that Chef Varun famously created for the Obamas. This decadent dish features a rich dark chocolate ganache mixed with tart cranberries and raspberries. The result is an indulgent yet well-balanced dessert that any chocolate lover would adore.

27 Degrees West truly lives up to its promise of offering a melting pot of Indian flavours with Chef Varun Inamdar's signature touch. The menu is a delightful journey through both classic and contemporary Indian cuisine, with some dishes reinvented to surprise and delight. Whether it is the tender Smoked Lamb Rack, the comforting Butter Chicken, or the refreshing Coconut Kulfi, 27 Degrees West delivers on both flavour and experience. For anyone looking to explore Indian cuisine with a modern twist, this restaurant is worth a visit.

Note: This is an invited tasting


27 Degrees West
362 Orchard Road
Singapore 238887
Tel: +65 91000949
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS, TE Line)

Opening Housr:
Sun-Thu: 1130am - 11pm
Fri-Sat: 1130am - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk towards Wheellock Place via ION. Exit Wheellock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Cross the road at the traffic light junction and walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 1. Follow the walkway to Shaw House. At Shaw House, go to ground level. Walk to Orchard Road. Turn right and walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutres. [Map]