I stumbled upon Brinda’s after an aimless wayfaring spell introduced me to the center of Bukit Merah. Tucked in a nook of Blk 162, its cool blue was in obvious distinction with the opposite retailers alongside the identical stretch. And like how the color screams at you to take discover, their emblem has distinct blue lettering wrapped in a clashing yellow.
A brief perusal of Brinda’s Google itemizing decided that this was no abnormal diner. It touts a complete checklist of providers — all the things from company occasions and catering to weddings and 24-hour island-wide supply — with their Bukit Merah restaurant because the nerve centre. All Halal-certified.
For a restaurant serving so many features, you’d anticipate a grander entrance. But, it’s fronted solely by 2 small tables, presumably for out of doors eating, and a promotional signal.
The decor inside undoubtedly exhibits its age — or longevity — linear canteen-style seating, a lurid mixture of their trademark blue-yellow, all beneath the watchful gaze of a portrait of the late PM Lee Kuan Yew. If you happen to haven’t guessed it already, the restaurant was opened within the early 2000s (particularly, 2003) and it’s actually retained an old-school attraction.
What I attempted at Brinda’s
As that is mainly an Indian eatery, I opted to have their Rooster Keema Thosai (S$6), which was served on a plastic plate. This quite jarring alternative caught us without warning and I made an offhand joke alongside the traces of a catering-themed presentation (past earshot of the workers).
Brinda’s Chicken KeemaThosai is made with a thicker batter to accommodate the okeema layer inside however at the price of the crisp and airiness attribute of plain thosai.
Alongside the thosai (which seemed prefer it was peering limply over the dismal crockery) sat a shallow pool of coconutand tomato-garlic chutney.
A surgical slice by its keema-filled crust uncovered the air to the primary of many spice salvos, the next mouth-watering aroma instantly triggering our salivary glands.
We cautiously lifted the mantle just for it to fold with some crackle, indicating to our delight that not all crisp had been misplaced. I loved how the smooth pores and skin returned a crunch right here and there, working with the wealthy rooster keema (like a saucier minced rooster masala) to ship a one-two punch of savoury and bitter.
Because the acidic notes intensified, we additional elevated the thosai with a dunk in each chutneys. It’s right here that I started to really feel the warmth rearing its ugly head and the necessity for a palate cleanser grew to become evident. If there was any trace of sweetness, it was drowned out by the torrent of salt.
We shifted our consideration to the 2-Prata set (S$5.80) of Cheese (S$1.80) and Potato (S$1.20), with Vadaand a complimentary canned drink. This can be a good time to say that every one our orders had been served with a small bowl of fish curry.
The vada had a doughnut-like texture on the skin however was ridiculously fluffy after we bit by. I used to be hit with a potent aroma and peppery kick, amplified by what curry leaves clinging to its floor as I chewed. Drenching the savoury fritter in curry mellowed the preliminary bombardment however the mixed piquancy grew to become a stronger fixed.
With the addition of cheese to any recipe comes the compulsory ‘cheese pull’. There was nothing spectacular in its presentation, however we famous it was additional doughy and had appreciable stretch.
Regardless of my desire for a steadiness of a skinny, fragile exterior and softer insides from a prata, Brinda’s use of mozzarella cheese versus low cost American cheese slices between the thicker dough is commendable.
As a substitute of the openly synthetic style you get at run-of-the-mill joints, the doses are restrained and nice. I didn’t thoughts that it was partially un-melted. Rather more filling than common crispy skinny pratas, I’d add.
The potato masala had a big quantity of lentils, and rather more evenly unfold than the cheese. I preferred that the mushier masala labored in tandem with the chewier dough to elongate their keep. After consuming by thosai and prata, the potatoes had been good carbs to modify issues up.
Because of the break from a saturated spice bathe, I may afford to dunk the pratas in salmon curry. There have been ample onions for some modicum of sweetness, although the prevalent savouriness remained. Sloppy, dripping-wet helpings of prata don’t get any higher than this, particularly with fillings like cheese and potato masala.
Our Mutton Briyani Meal (S$10) was served on a banana leaf atop the tray, ergo no disposable plate for me to touch upon.
In comparison with different nasi briyaniI’ve had, Brinda’s is much less flavourful in all respects. Not a demerit per se, as some choose their breath to not odor like lunch afterwards. I’d quite have aromatic, wealthy rice on my briyani than not, although.
The sturdy mutton, alternatively, was exhausting to justify. After judging a big pattern dimension, I concluded that the majority items had been powerful the entire method by, not helped by a largely dry gravy. Not within the temper for extended attrition, I skipped them solely. An actual disgrace, because the serving dimension of mutton was large beneath all that rice.
On the facet was some runny mutton curry and raita. The curry made a good addition to the blocks of toughened meat and the over-boiled egg. I used to be trying ahead to a correct palate cleanser within the raita, nevertheless it was considerably watered down.
The papadums had been nonetheless crispy after nearly quarter-hour, a superb distinction to all that smooth, soupy motion we had been embroiled in. Sadly, it did nothing to alter up the profile we had been subjected to until then.
Our closing endeavor was an Omelette at S$3.50. I may now not benefit from the flavour of salt, however its dimension does justify the worth. As some type of pittance, the slices of onions graced my palate with a much-needed earthy, gentle sweetness.
A Lassi (S$3.80) is discounted to S$2.20 if you happen to tack one to a meal. Our Mango Lassi was thick and creamy with simply the proper ratio to guzzle down. In the end, they may do with extra quantity, as they’re in regards to the peak of a can however with a smaller circumference.
Closing ideas
If you happen to can look previous the disposable plates (not a tricky ask), Brinda’s is one other place to have a hearty meal or get-together any hour, any day. With an expansive menu of North & South Indian delicacies, there are decisions aplenty. It simply so occurred that we made the error of selecting distinctly savoury dishes to crash our palate.
Google critiques for Brinda’s are fairly combined, so I’d warning to anticipate some variance in high quality. My opinion? Completely enough. For a 24-hour eatery open 7 days per week and providing a mess of different meals providers, fairly respectable.
Two salient issues to notice: Water is free stream, and there’s a self-service condiment station. Hopefully, nobody’s as oblivious as I used to be.
