SAHA Signature Indian Restaurant & Terrace Bar
Along the quaint streets of Duxton Hill sits the newly opened SAHA Signature Indian Restaurant & Terrace Bar. This is no ordinary Indian restaurant. Its menus, conceptualised by award-winning Chef Abhijit Saha, are an innovative combination of traditional and modernity.
Chef Abhijit Saha’s flair for both European and regional Indian cuisine has been translated into his successful overseas restaurants – Caperberry and Fava in Bangalore, India. His modernisation of his traditional Indian cuisine for the world stage resulted in his being crowned Best Chef of India in 2013 by the Indian Restaurant Congress and Awards 2013, along with other renowned awards.
Fortunately for us, Chef Saha has brought his culinary mastery to Singapore’s very own SAHA Restaurant.
Al Fresco Terrace Bar
Extended from the main dining area is a 22-seat al fresco Terrace Bar, an ideal place to enjoy your drink with a range of Indian tapas in tranquillity. Welcomed by the friendly bartenders behind the counter with a spectrum of alcoholic mixes, we soon found a table. I was entranced by the table lamps with hand-drawn Henna, completing the dining experience.
The Food at SAHA
The signature and Indian-inspired cocktails are crafted by Chef Saha and a resident mixologist to pair with the food served in the main dining area.
We had a few of their signature cocktails, Compressed Watermelon Martini, Cryo Pomegranate Margarita and New Age Pina Colada.
If you are looking for something refreshing, try the Compressed Watermelon Martini. With the black salt foam seated nicely on the watermelon mix and gin, it brings out a tinge of sweetness and a hint of citrus, playing with your palate.
The New Age Piña Colada was a pleasant surprise. I’ve had many Piña Coladas, but never have I wiped the cup clean – or coconut shell in this case. Growing up in a tropical land, it’s my primal instinct to love coconuts. Having fresh coconut flesh soaked in alcohol is something new, and a combination I will love till I’m old. Besides the satisfying taste, it gives classy cocktail drinking a whole new experience – digging into the tender flesh of the baby coconut while sipping on, or gulping in my case, the tangy alcoholic mix.
You don’t leave SAHA terrace bar without trying their Indian Tales, so we ordered Indian Mojito, SAHA Martini and Saffron Delight.
Saffron Delight feels very much like a matured drink but with a twist of sweet lemon pickle and honey that equalises the dull rum. I would recommend this drink to classic Rum lovers. I’ve never liked Rum but I couldn’t stop sipping on this addictive drink.
Indian Mojito marked a likable leap from the classic Mojito. Adding the increasingly popular Demerara Sugar and toning down on the minty flavour in most Mojito, it is a new drink on its own without losing its roots. As a Mojito lover, this is a good alternative drink without being too adventurous.
Indian Tapas were served alongside the cocktails. Most of these are vegetarian, so you don’t have to worry about dietary restrictions. We tried Baked Samosa Triangles served with chutney foam, Mushroom Chilli Fry and Khasta Roti Tacos under the vegetarian menu, and Prawn Milagu Roast and Non Vegetarian Kebab Platter from the non-vegetarian.
Khasta Roti Taco is my favourite. I fell in love with the avocado salsa that goes well with the Amritsari chickpeas. I couldn’t resist the Prawn Milagu Roast either – a juicy prawn dipped in crushed black pepper, tomato and curry leaves? I couldn’t ask for better.
The Verdict at SAHA
I would come back to SAHA Restaurant for a fancy family gathering or just drinks with my friends – with such an extensive cocktail menu and vegetarian-friendly tapas, there’s bound to be something for everyone. Chef Saha’s international reputation precedes him, and SAHA Restaurant’s food and drink certainly live up to the hype!
I may have to pay slightly more for such great ambience and excellent dishes, but I don’t mind – it’s worth it.
Getting There to SAHA Indian Restaurant
Address: 9A Duxton Hill S(089593) , 2nd floor
Phone: 6223 7321
Opening Hours: Lunch Monday – Saturday 12pm – 3pm Dinner Monday – Saturday 6pm – 11pm Terrace Bar Monday – Saturday 5pm – 11pm Sunday – Closed
This post was brought to you by SAHA Restaurant. Images provided by SAHA except where indicated.