Keong Saik is the name of the game at the moment. The overall vibe of the street has been getting better with the arrival of so many new places over the last few months, and we’ve been hopping around trying as many as we can. So far we’ve enjoyed Olivia and Bar Cicheti, and our latest find has been Thevar, a modern Indian spot. Contemporary Indian cuisine seems to be on trend in many cities around the world, so we’re excited to see it taking off here in Singapore too.
Our experience:
The plates at Thevar are great for sharing, so we were happy we went with a group of four and could try a few different things. The menu has some really innovative dishes that boast classic Indian flavours in unique combos and forms. Take for example the mackerel dosai ($14) with buttery fish slathered in tomato chutney and wrapped in a fluffy Indian crepe. The lamb kheema panataras with mint sauce ($8) was one of our favourite dishes. They had a hearty curried meat inside that paired perfectly with the creamy mint sauce. If you like food made on the tandoor, opt in for the tandoor baby lamb with chickpea curry and green chutney ($48, pictured above). Overall we found the atmosphere was nothing to write home about, but the food was vibrant, interesting and delicious.
About:
The restaurant is housed in the old Meta space and is named after head chef Manogren Murugan Thevar, who draws on his Penang upbringing and travels around South Asia for flavour inspiration. Chef Thevar has years of experience working in top-notch kitchens like Waku Ghin, Guy Savoy Singapore and Meat Smith Little India, so it’s easy to see where the modern influences come from. Step inside and you’ll find a long, narrow space with tables along one wall and a lengthy bar where you can sit and watch Thevar and his team action.
UJ Tidbit:
The price point was on the higher end and we’re not sure that the value for money, but this is something we battle with often amongst the dining scene here. But nonetheless, as Singapore continues to grow into even more of a melting pot, we’re excited to see more innovative restaurants and menus appearing on our shores. For the best experience, we suggest sitting at the bar overlooking the kitchen, especially if you’re in a group of two or three. We’re not sure if it’s a restaurant we would return to but we say it’s something that needs to be added to your roster of new spots to try in Singapore.
Thevar, 9 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089117. p. +65 6904 0838. Open Mon – Sat 5pm – 12am
