Weets Eats: Indian tapas at Flying Monkey
There is no lack of Indian restaurants in Singapore, but Flying Monkey may be the country's first Indian tapas restaurant.
Also noteworthy is its bar, which serves cocktails influenced by Indian flavours.
Could this be a new phase of the Indian dining experience?
Flying Monkey offers traditional favourites and a handful of lesser-known dishes - mostly in small plates and sharing portions - meant to be paired with its array of cocktails.
The best way to start your meal is with a cocktail.
Try the Yo Yo Mani ($18), and take it as the launchpad for your Flying Monkey journey.
Created by head bartender Kannan (formerly of Buyan, The Prime Society and LongPlay), it has rum, coconut cream and Kerala rice syrup.
The Galouti Kebab ($14) is not for the faint-hearted.
Mutton, the main ingredient, is minced at least 13 times, in line with tradition.
The result is a patty that is almost creamy, and an intensity that can intimidate some.
It is a small heap of meat, but it will make you feel like you ate an entire sheep.
COMFORT FOOD
Roti prata is simple comfort food, but the Meen Kulambu ($24) takes it to a different level.
The roti prata itself was fine, not excellent. The winner was the fish in the tamarind curry.
The curry's spice level was pleasant, with a pinch of sharpness for balance.
Also good was the Nalli Gosht ($26), which is lamb shank braised overnight and served with a cashew and onion curry.
The mellow curry was great with the garlic naan, and the lamb was tender, as expected.
Those who avoid lamb because of its gaminess should try this anyway.
Its distinct taste works nicely with the curry.
Calamari 65 ($10) is a take on the popular Indian snack Chicken 65.
While the original is spicy, the version here is salty.
A bolder hit of spice could have done this dish some good.
Given how sweet Indian desserts can get and my low tolerance for sweets, I was surprised that the Jalebi ($10) ended up as one of my favourites from Flying Monkey.
Jalebi is a traditional dessert of deep-fried pretzels dipped in a sugar syrup.
It is sweet, but also crispy and warm, which helps.
Just be sure to share this, and you will be able to keep the sugar count under control.
Flying Monkey
67, Bussorah Street
Opens noon to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 11pm daily
Tel: 6291-0695
Bites
FREE MOTHER'S DAY DISHES
From now till Sunday, when you spend $100 in a single receipt at Kam's Roast (Pacific Plaza, Tel: 6836-7788), you will get a free marinated platter ($22) and a bowl of red bean soup ($5.80) for your mother.
SUSHI FOR MUM
For Mother's Day, Sakae Sushi has a Mosaic Sushi Gift Set ($29.80), a two-tiered box with an assortment of sashimi, avocado, inari and tamago sushi. The bottom tier is a Nutella sea salt chocolate tart. This is available till Sunday. Call 6388-8383 to order.
BIRD'S NEST GIFT
Get your mother bird's nest soup. Till Sunday, Superior Bird's Nest will deliver two flasks of freshly prepared, double-boiled bird's nest soup at $130 to your mum. Then it's back to the usual price of $158. Order via www.finestfood.com.sg and use the promo code LoveMom17.
FREE PRAWN NOODLES
Till Monday, mothers get a free bowl of prawn noodles for every two bowls ordered at Wah Kee Big Prawn Noodles (Esplanade Mall, Tel: 6327-9187).
You can order any type of prawn noodles. The cheapest of the three will be free.
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