Lakshmi Vilas Restaurant @ Wishart Road

This is such a quaint place - a little eating place from a forgotten era. It is located at the corner of Wishart Road, just diagonally opposite Vivocity. And, despite its proximity to the bustling, booming megamall, this quiet little eating sanctuary remains virtually untouched by modern commercialism.



A friend who recently emigrated to Melbourne but had to come back for some work matters brought me here for breakfast. And it was such a surprise since I didn't know such a place existed!



It's just a tiny place, but very airy, well ventilated and cheery with bright yellow walls.

I had a masala thosai while he had the plain one. I should have gone for the plain one, this was way too much for me. Filled with potato curry, it was a heavy breakfast!

One gets to scoop one's choice of accompaniment - so there is some green yoghurty thing with seeds and there is the vegetable korma. The accompaniments are free-flow and come in this big metal bucket (like a slop bucket) which you scoop out of.

Love the yummy teh tarik. It was thick and fragrant and just sweet enough for me to feel satiated and satisfied and happy!

Can you see the side of my korma tin in the above picture? See how the sides are so stained! I wonder if they even wash the tins, or do they just keep refilling the tins with more curry each time.

Inside view of the place. See how the people here are all so relaxed... taking their time to savour that fragrant cup of teh tarik... This uncle was just so cool.. he noticed me taking the photo but nonchalantly continued sipping his tea... as though he poses for photos like this all the time.. hahaha...

Chat Masala @ Upper East Coast Road

DH and I have reached our verdict.



Between Chat Masala and Kinara, Chat Masala wins hands down. We came here for dinner over the weekend, and although both places were quite crowded, we opted for Chat Masala.





Actually Chat Masala's naans were not as fluffy as those in Kinara. Although these naans were still enjoyable. We ordered 2 garlic naans, 1 cheese naan, and 1 lacha paratha.

Fish curry. This was slightly tangy and spicy. With 3 sizeable chunks of fish. MIL liked this gravy best.

Butter chicken. This was creamy and delicious. DH's and my favourite. It was not spicy-hot, but it had a nice fragrance of spices.

Palak Paneer. This is cubes of cottage cheese cooked in pureed spinach. It's a really healthy dish, and it was also delicious.

We mopped up the gravy from all the dishes. I think the choices tonight were excellent. Kinara's dishes are too salty for my palate, but Chat Masala's dishes are all interesting and delicious, with a perfect pairing of spices and textures. I particularly like the fact that everything takes effort to prepare and tastes different. (you know, not like some places where the fish, the chicken, the beef are all covered with the same boring sauce).

Kinara @ East Coast Road

Some competition heating up here in East Coast Road.



Just 2 doors away from Chat Masala, is Kinara. The decor is more traditional, with wooden carvings, metal cups, and even a big wooden swing outside.



Let's see how this place measures up, foodwise.



DH ordered a leg of lamb (SGD36 for half portion). It was expensive I think for so little meat. It was tender, but too salty.

This was mushroom methi (SGD12). Also too salty.

The naans were fantastic though. Freshly baked, and served piping hot. They were chewy and delicious. SGD2 each or SGD 6 for a basket of 4 different types of naan.