Friday, August 28, 2009

Highlight #222: Dreamy lamb in the Esplanade (Singapore)

Besides being very clean, Singapore also boasts pretty harbors and some very unique architectures. The Esplanade, which houses the national opera house and library, is lovingly dubbed "the durian" for its domed and prickly appearance akin to the nation's beloved smelly fruit. Besides the cultural stuff, the Esplanade also shelters some good eats, one of which is Mirchi - Taste of India.

I am not calling this the best or even one of the best Indian food in the country. There are too many options here. After all, Singapore, with its 10% Indian population and a president of Indian decent, is one of the best places outside of India to eat Indian food from all of its regions. Mirchi serves northern and colonial Indian food rich in thick and creamy curries. We ordered three to go with our garlic naan.

Chicken tikka masala, a curry of British origin is a dish made up of traditional chicken tikka (chunks of chicken marinated in spices and yogurt then baked in a tandoor oven) in a masala sauce. This particular one is super flavorful and very tender. The sauce is ultra creamy from yogurt and a good amount ghee or clarified butter. The palak paneer was also very creamy with fried cheese cubes, but I prefer mine a little less thick.

By far the best dish of the evening was the raan-e-mirchi, a dish recommended by my father-in-law. It's a whole leg of lamb baked in the tandoori. The meat was fall off the bone tender and so well seasoned, even the most inner parts needed no additional sauce.

We went to the esplanade for the view, so eating Indian was not a problem for us. I am not sure if Indian should be the meal of choice in one's formal cloths before heading into the opera hall, but I'd seriously consider it.

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