Where to find the best Indian restaurants in Singapore

Jan 10 2024

Indian food is easy to find on foodie-packed Singapore where we have an array of curries, naans, chaats and creative takes on Indian cuisine. If you want to go regal with your rogan josh there are plenty of eateries that put on a fancy show. Prefer your poppadoms more authentic and old-skool? Little India has the pick of the bunch, but there are also many secret stalwarts for a spot of spice elsewhere on the island. Here’s our round-up of where to find the best Indian eateries and curry houses in town.

Ms. Maria & Mr. Singh

The extraordinary degustation menu offered at Ms. Maria & Mr Singh is an ANZA fave. Relive the romance with all-time favourites like Chef Gaggan’s Crab Curry, one of his signature dishes since 2016, a coconut and coriander-based curry dish with juicy chunky crab meat. New mainstays include in the eight-course dinner menu such as Scallop Tostada with Romesco, Salsa Macha and Basil Aioli and hearty Pork Vindaloo Tacos, inspired by a curry dish in Goa. An absolute pleasure!

43 Craig Road, 089691. mariaandsingh.sg

Burma Social

The new Burma Social’s menu (Feast of Six Kingdoms) offers a melting pot of its neighbouring countries: Laos, Thailand, China, and India. Start your meal with a Laphet Thoke, a fermented tea leaf salad then move on to mains such as the Curry Piezo – Indian infused curry with garden greens. Finish it off with the A-thi, a dessert of burnt mango with black jaggery sorbet and coconut crisps.

34 Tras St, 079026. burmasocial.com

Firangi Superstar

Firangi Superstar’s new 2.5 hour Saturday brunch, Champagne Superstar, is a banger: delicious morsels such as caviar puri, masala donuts and pepper fry croissant presented in a kooky wooden box, a main course with options like prata waffle with madras fried chicken, fish & chips, and baked eggs with keema pav. If you have any room left, desserts are mega-generous and comprise masala chai éclair, carrot cake and red velvet peanut cake. Wash it all down with Firangi’s fabulous Bloody Mary – the perfect pick-up of vodka, smoked tomato chutney, tamarind, and sliced pineapple and chilli on the side.

20 Craig Rd, #01-03, 089692. firangisuperstar.com

Enjoy a proper taste of local at The Curry Club

The Curry Club Signature

Indian tradition meets modern contemporary dining at The Curry Club Signature. The small plates and sharing platters of this casual-fine dining outpost repackage tradition in fresh fashionable flair while still honouring authentic flavours and recipes. The Curry Club Signature proudly stands as the first and only casual fine dining restaurant to be run by a local Indian family in Singapore.

11 Mohamed Sultan Road, 239010. thecurryclub.sg

Komla Vilas has been serving up curry since the 1940s

Komala Vilas

This Little India lovely serving no-frills hearty Indian cuisine hardly needs an introduction. Komala Vilas offers simple yet authentic vegetarian fare that’s remained unchanged since its beginnings in 1947. With over 20 different types of dosai (lentil and rice flour pancakes) on the menu, parata (flatbread), sambar stews and chutney, thosai, vadai, biryani and idly, there’s plenty to please everyone. What sets Komala Vilas apart is the fact that it only hires trained, skilled cooks from India, so you get the real deal.

Komala Vilas, 76 Serangoon Road, 217981

Yantra

Haven’t noticed this hotspot when you hotfoot it to Little Farms? Sitting pretty in Tanglin Mall, Yantra has recently had a facelift, making it an intoxicating mix of elegant and sultry and serving Indian recipes passed down through generations alongside royalty-approved dishes. Dine on Sutta Gosht, best known as sleepy sota mutton; Hyderabadi Chicken dum Biryani, a classic chicken biryani from Hyderabad; Haleem Rashmi, where jackfruit is the meat substitute; and hot pillowy naan straight out of the tandoor. The new swanky interior takes you on a journey through India where there are five distinct designed spaces, with dining rooms inspired from parts of India like Rajasthan. The Corbett Bar with a captivating touch of old-world charm. Cladded in safari prints, the space is inspired by India’s oldest national park.

163 Tanglin Road, #01-129/130/131, 247933. yantra.com.sg

Authentic Indian dining in Singapore doesn’t get any better

Samy’s Curry

If you are new to Singapore then you may not be familiar with Samy’s. This eaterie in Dempsey Hill is a true Singapore stalwart, having been serving up spectacular home-cooked Indian fare since the 1950s. Be prepared for an authentic experience where your food is placed not on a plate, but a banana leaf, and you have the option of scooping the fare up with your hand. Nestled amid greenery, it’s utterly charming and uber tasty. The main draw is the fish head curry, of course, but we also like to play it safe with a simple and satisfying korma.

25 Dempsey Road, 249670. samyscurry.com

Tiffin Room at Raffles Hotel Singapore has an updated menu

Tiffin Room, Raffles Hotel Singapore

Celebrate Indian flavours and aromas amidst the grandeur of Raffles Hotel Singapore’s historic Tiffin Room, one of Singapore’s oldest Indian restaurants since 1892. Earlier this year, award-winning Chef de Cuisine Kuldeep Negi, who’s been helming Tiffin Room’s kitchen for over a decade, re-vamped parts of the menu with dishes influenced by his travels through various regions of North India. Enjoy a diverse range of chaats, appetisers and mains, a favourite being a customisable Mera Dabba (my box in Hindhi) Experience presented in a four-tiered custom-made copper tiffin box. The set meal is complemented with delicately flavoured rice, tandoori bread, chutneys and pickles.

1 Beach Rd, 189673. raffles.com/singapore/dining/tiffin-room

ANZA Magazine January – February 2024 is out now!

Jan 10 2024

Tales of teamwork by ANZA Cycling

Jan 9 2024

Our first-ever ANZA Family Triathlon Day was a roaring success! Over 30 kids aged 4 – 13 years old went down to Sentosa to learn more about triathlon. Our fantastic ANZA Cycling volunteers taught the children skills across swim, bike and run, and then the kids put it all together with a mini-triathlon! It was brilliant to bring the community together, and to see the kids have so much fun. A huge thank you goes to all our volunteers for making the event enjoyable and safe, and thanks also to our amazing partners, Simply Active for providing kid-friendly hydration, ButcherBox for yummy sausage sandwiches, Trouble Brewing Singapore for some adult sundowners, and Odin Mortgage for providing goodie bags for all the kiddos!

Test of endurance

A herculean effort was made from three of our endurance riders who tackled the Audax 600km around Malaysia. Leading the charge was Scott Mitchell, ANZA Cycling Road Director, whose strategic planning and unwavering commitment laid the foundation for this epic adventure along with Harsch Koshti, the ride captain who played a pivotal role in keeping the team’s spirits high throughout the gruelling 600-kilometre journey. Harsch’s infectious enthusiasm and boundless energy was like a shot of adrenaline, ensuring everyone stayed motivated and focused.

Right: Harsch: Also known as Mr Motivator

Last but not least was Rishi Randhawa, known for his indomitable spirit and determination. Even though he was riding an aero bike, Rishi proved that dedication and hard work can yield remarkable results.

The Audax 600 is a true test of endurance, demanding physical and mental strength. However, with Scott’s guidance, Harsch’s motivation, and Rishi’s cycling finesse, all three emerged tired but successful, underscoring the power of teamwork and dedication.

Anza Cycling Events Board

CLUB RIDES ARE GOING STRONG …
The great thing about ANZA Cycling is that we have rides to choose from every day of the week, from “Monday Mandai Madness”, to our flagship Saturday morning club rides, to the Sunday recovery ride. If your new year’s resolution is to get active, check out an induction ride from January onwards.
… AS ARE OUR DRINKS NIGHTS!
ANZA Cycling’s semi-regular drinks night returned in October, as the club gathered to celebrate a fantastic few months of racing and riding. We closed the year with our famous Christmas Party in December, which included one lucky prize winning recipient returning home with a new bike. No excuse not to get on the road in 2024!

What is facial rejuvenation anyway?

Jan 8 2024

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As the prevalence of online meetings and video calls becomes the norm in professional communication, and social media platforms continue to surge, individuals are increasingly striving to present a fresh and vibrant image. A common lamentation is about appearing fatigued, with concerns ranging from a heavy forehead and tired eyes to premature lines and pronounced jowls. These concerns are shared by both men and women, typically surfacing in their late 30s or early 40s as signs of aging become noticeable.

Dr. Marco, a renowned expert in the field of cosmetic surgery, has observed a substantial uptick in clients seeking facial rejuvenation to achieve a refreshed, and younger, look. Many clients seek these interventions to address the signs of onset aging.

Today there are various facial rejuvenation techniques, such as the use of botulism toxin which smoothens facial and neck lines, offering a particularly effective solution for individuals with strong expression lines, heavy eyelids, or robust lower jaw muscles. The result is a rejuvenated and bright-eyed appearance.

Fillers or autologous fat transplantation serve as effective methods for replenishing deflated areas and enhancing facial features like cheekbones, smile lines, and lips. Additionally, a range of machinery and laser skin resurfacing treatments target textural irregularities, blemishes, and pigmentation, while also contributing to firming and tightening the skin.

Minimally invasive surgery

In the realm of facial rejuvenation, a growing trend is the resurgence of surgical procedures for instantaneous, enduring results with minimal downtime. Dr. Marco recommends Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS), particularly the Endoscopy Brow Lift or Upper Facelift. This cosmetic surgery addresses the impacts of aging, correcting drooping brows and upper eyelids to refine brow lines and smoothen the forehead. Employing keyhole endoscopy ensures almost imperceptible scarring, with a mere two hour surgery time and a swift recovery period of five to seven days.

The latest innovation in facelift surgery, dubbed the “Ponytail Facelift” or “Bunny Lift,” focuses on a more youthful cheek lift and taut jawline. With a smaller incision hidden in the hair-bearing area, the resulting scar is virtually invisible. Ideal for those displaying early signs of aging without excess skin in the lower face and neck, this procedure takes approximately three hours, with a minimal one-week recovery period. Dr. Marco also suggests that fat grafting can be seamlessly incorporated during the same surgery.
Dr. Marco emphasises the importance of customisation in facial rejuvenation, tailoring procedures to individual needs. Whether it’s lifting one cheek more vertically, adding more fat graft to specific areas, or concealing scars due to unique anatomical features, he underscores the necessity of selecting an experienced and qualified plastic surgeon for these personalised interventions.

Dr Marco Faria Correa Plastic Surgery Pte Ltd
Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, Unit 10-26, 38 Irrawaddy Road, 329563
Thomson Surgical Centre, #03-01 Thomson Medical Centre, 339 Thomson Road, 307677
6464 8075 admin@drmarco.com www.drmarco.com

Choosing a school in Singapore? Here’s how

Jan 8 2024

If you thought that choosing your child’s name, bedroom colour scheme and first-birthday outfit was stressful, wait until it comes to their education. Deciding on a school in which to enrol your child is probably one of the most important decisions you’ll initiate as a parent. Making the right call could lead them on a path of lifelong learning, a good college education, and then a successful and enjoyable career. But what if you choose wrong? Talk about pressure!

As you start exploring, you’ll soon realise that even here on the tiny island of Singapore, you have dozens of options, and they’re all a little bit different. Looking through websites
and brochures may seem overwhelming and exhausting at first, however, you’ll probably discover several schools that meet your requirements fairly well.

After this, it’s time to fine-tune your choices by making some visits. As you set foot on the campuses that pique your interest, you’ll start to better understand how they work for you and your child. Reaching a decision will become easier when you start asking yourself the right questions about each school you see and comparing the responses.

So, once there what should you look for? What questions should you be asking the school and why? Sarah Farris, Dean of Student Life, Singapore American School (sas.edu.sg), shares some important factors that should influence your decision.

Keeping students engaged

Children thrive in their learning when they’re not confined to a single spot all day. Young learners require movement, stimulation, and variety. They often prefer shifting between quiet spaces and active play areas.
ASK How does your school’s educational philosophy match with the physical settings?

Curriculum delivery

The way a school delivers its curriculum is as significant as the curriculum itself. Not all International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced Placement (AP) schools are alike.
ASK How long do teachers typically stay at the school and why do they leave?

Home school partnership

Every school differs when it comes to parental involvement. Some encourage active participation with frequent conferences, volunteering, and open communication. Others limit parental visits and conduct a more formal communication strategy. A strong home-school connection is important for student growth.
ASK What is the role of parents and the family in the programme?

Diversity

Look for a healthy mix of nationalities in attendance at the school and ensure that it can effectively manage the needs of a diverse student body.
ASK What kind of opportunities do students have to explain and celebrate their cultures, traditions, beliefs, and holidays at this school?

Scores

Ask to see a school’s actual scores and results on learning measures. For every promise a school makes, they should be able to offer you concrete reasons to believe it.
ASK What does your optimal student look like, and do you believe that all students can learn at high levels? What do you do if students appear to be struggling to succeed academically, emotionally, or socially?

Graduation and university placement

Find out about the number of students who have graduated from the campus your child will attend and where these graduates have gone for further education. Especially be aware of schools that misrepresent their university placement statistics.
ASK What unique advantage does your school offer graduates? What are universities saying about your school and the students who graduate there?

Location and accessibility

Instead of asking how central the school is, ask how long it takes to get to their location in traffic. Being close to town doesn’t always mean quick access to schools, and this could impact on your child’s learning.
ASK How long does it really take to get to school during peak hours? How could this affect their education and enjoyment of school?

“As you set foot on campus, you’ll start to better understand how they work for you and your child”

A sense of belonging

When schools, parents, kids, and communities are all on the same page, children tend to do better at school, feel a sense of belonging, have higher self-confidence, and a more positive view of education.
ASK Is there a feeling of inclusivity for all, and how does your school encourage this?

Social emotional learning (SEL)

In order to be successful in and out of the classroom, students need to learn a set of social and emotional competencies (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making).
ASK What is your approach to SEL? How do teachers develop a sense of community both in and out of school? Does your school have counsellors, psychologists, and deans of student life to support both student and parent wellbeing?

By posing these questions and carefully assessing the responses, you can make an informed decision that sets your child on the right educational path. Good luck!

Meet this Support Group for Parents of children with cancer

Jan 6 2024

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Learning that your child has cancer often makes parents feel like their world has been turned upside down. Everything in their life may suddenly feel out of control. Your initial thoughts may be “How could this have happened to my child?” and “How will we get through this?”

A diagnosis of cancer can be a frightening and isolating experience. In the face of such adversity, support groups become invaluable sanctuaries where parents can find solace, share experiences, and draw strength from the collective resilience of a community that understands the unique challenges they face.

What happens in a support group session?

We most typically spend the time sharing our experiences in our confidential and non-judgmental space, although sometimes we end up just catching up (speaking informally with others in a similar position to you can feel hugely relieving). People attending the group tend to share memories and experiences of cancer, both happy and difficult – however, there are no rules about having to speak. You are more than welcome to attend and just listen. The only thing we will invite of you is to let us know your name and your child’s name.

Our support groups are different to grief counselling and 1-2-1 therapy given that it is more focused on sharing with others who are experiencing a child with cancer.

The Ethos of our support group sessions

Sharing experiences helps

The whole point of our supportive events is to bring together people who have experienced something similar. Our support groups create a space for peer support where people can speak with others in a similar position and hear how they cope or do not cope. This is different to individual support, which can be very helpful but doesn’t always allow for hearing from and sharing with others.

Our feelings are normal

Our events aim to let people know that their experiences, as painful as they are, are a normal part of the process. For example, it is not unusual to experience a whole host of feelings, worries and body changes when stressed, anxious or grieving, and knowing that that’s normal can be a relief. Knowing that our experiences do not mean we are going crazy is hugely important.

Processing does not have a set time-limit

The most well-known psychological models of grief and/or loss are staged models, which indicate that having a child with cancer involves moving through specific emotions in a semi-linear fashion. We have learned that this is not the case. It is a rollercoaster in which you will be up and down at unpredictable points in time.

Continuous and reliable support

Our support is there for parents with children with cancer. The continuity that our events provide allows people to get support at any point they need it, safe in the knowledge that the space will always be there.

Led by members

Our support groups don’t have an agenda; the sessions are led by the people who come along and what they feel they need to talk about on the day. Some of our team members will be there to help facilitate events, but it’s all about what you want and need to talk about. This is for you.

When: The second Saturday of every month 1:30pm-3pm Cluny Court
How: Please register with our admin team admin@alliancecounselling.com.sg or +65 6466 8120
Where: Alliance Counselling, Cluny Court level 3, 501 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 259760

Free event to attend.
Find more info here

Dr. Natalie Games, a Senior Clinical Psychologist at Alliance Counselling

Alliance Counselling has three locations in Singapore (two in Cluny Court and one in the Upper East Coast), and a team of 30 multilingual, multi-cultural counsellors and psychologists. Since 2009, they’ve provided counselling for children and families, teens, adults and couples. Methodologies include Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Marathon Couples Therapy, Sexual Health & Intimacy Therapy, Pre-postnatal Therapy, Walk and Talk Therapy, mindfulness-based practices and psychological assessments. They also curate corporate employee assistance programmes and training workshops.

Follow Alliance Counselling on social media:
allianceprofessionalcounselling
alliancecounselling
alliance-professional-counselling-llp
@alliancecounsellingsingapore
@alliancecounselling

What’s on in Singapore this January & February 2024

Jan 5 2024

Illuminating Moments

Singapore Art Week (SAW) returns from 19 – 28 January 2024, giving those who get the January blues something lively to look forward to. This year there’ll be 150 visual arts experiences by over 400 partners from all over the world. The ‘Light To Night Festival’ is always a showstopper, with its array of dazzling installations dotted around the island. ‘Art After Dark’ also promises to be a goodie: two distinct nights of entertainment include Rave Night, which features local electronic music artists, and Prom Night, which has live bands and DJ sets. Meanwhile, ART SG fair (artsg.com), will showcase contemporary art from around the world, large-scale installations, curated talks, and film programmes.
artweek.sg

Go Potty For Harry

Ever since Universal Studios opened in Singapore, Harry Potter fans (Potterheads) have been patiently casting spells for some Hogwarts action, too. And huzzah – February sees Warner Bros studio bringing its Wizardly World set, Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience to Sentosa. The Coastal Trail will be transformed into a captivating night time woodland trail (aka the iconic Forbidden Forest), featuring mystical creatures from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series. Celebrating some of the most iconic forest scenes from the film series, visitors can come face-to-face with the likes of Hippogriff, Nifflers, and more, all of which will be casting their magical style of sourcery.
From 3 February hpforbiddenforestexperience.com/singapore

Expat stories wanted

Despite its ever-changing landscape, Singapore works hard to preserve its history through storytelling. A new project supported by My Community and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth titled ‘My Little Singapore’ seeks to celebrate the diversity of the island through the different people, places, and practices of the different communities who live here. One section will be dedicated to the lives of expats, so if you’re an Australian or Kiwi with a unique and inspiring Singapore anecdote to share about life on this cosmopolitan island, get in touch at jamie@mycommunity.org.sg. Let’s represent!

Broadway calling!

If you’ve heard the hype around the critically acclaimed musical Hamilton, here’s your chance to experience it at Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, this smash takes the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and turns it into a revolutionary moment in theatrical history. Culture, politics, and education are all covered alongside exceptional crooning.
19 April – 26 May sistic.com.sg

Looking forward with the Australian High Commission

Jan 4 2024

A Happy New Year to all ANZA readers. I hope you celebrated the start of 2024 in good spirits and with good company. As we look forward, I want to take a moment to look back on an eventful 2023 and reflect on some of the accomplishments we have progressed in Singapore.

My first year as High Commissioner to Singapore has been filled with engagements with government, businesses, and the diplomatic corps as well as forging connections through the arts, sciences and sport, to name a few.

2023 was transformative in many respects:

We celebrated an incredible milestone – the 20th Anniversary of the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA)
We welcomed Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles at the 8th Singapore-Australia Annual Leaders Meeting and the 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue
We hosted nine First Nations businesses as part of Singapore Landing Pad immersion week
We commemorated the first anniversary of the Singapore-Australia Green Economy Agreement

Similarly in this new year, we at the Australian High Commission Singapore will continue to reach out widely to better understand Singapore’s plans for a sustainable shared future, and how we can design the next stage bilateral partnership to complement it.

We are currently working on our next iteration of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. When it was developed in 2015, it was the first of its kind for Singapore. The next iteration will chart the 10 years from 2025 – 2035. The Singapore-Australia relationship will be enhanced by increased two-way trade and investment in renewable energy, digitisation, food supply, education and skills, and health and ageing services amongst others.

Looking ahead a year, in 2025 we will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of our bilateral relationship with Singapore. We’re already planning how we will celebrate!

Once again, wishing you all a very happy and healthy year ahead and I look forward to continuing work (and play) with ANZA in 2024.

Fun in the sun at House on the Hill

Jan 3 2024

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Play is an integral part of children’s learning and development. Through play, children engage in active exploration, experimentation, and problem-solving, fostering cognitive growth and creativity. When play experiences are fun and spontaneous, children are more likely to retain information and develop a lifelong love of learning. House on the Hill nurtures this natural curiosity and engagement, providing children with opportunities to discover, create, and grow through play.

Using the outdoor spaces as play areas, children have numerous opportunities to explore, discover and learn. They head outdoors for open-ended play in the playgrounds, get dirty in mud kitchens, have spontaneous storytelling sessions with loose parts play, lay a picnic mat out for snacks, or simply move the classroom outside.

At House on the Hill, they bring children to nature, and bring nature to the children. They aim for a balance of free play and Montessori-inspired activities that help little ones to care for and learn about their environment, many of which can be reproduced at home.

Here is some Montessori-led advice for parents when playing outdoors:

Just like in a Montessori classroom, children outside should be free to choose their activities and follow what interests them.
Adults can help guide them and set appropriate boundaries, while still allowing freedom of movement, choice and time.
Consider the limits that are set in a Montessori classroom: respect for oneself, respect for others; and respect for the environment.
When conversing with your child, use lots of open-ended questions to lead them to tell you more about their play, such as “Tell me more” or “What if”.
Try to minimise restrictions for your child playing outdoors to encourage creativity and exploration – obviously keeping any safety considerations in mind.

“We bring children to nature, and bring nature to the children”

There are so many options for outdoor play in Singapore with the great weather and environment. Here are some ideas:

Go on a nature walk

Collect leaves or flowers to craft into art at home. Don’t forget to find different things to count (e.g. how many birds are in the tree), and practice maths skills at the same time.

Bring the garden indoors

Use leftover food scraps to plant an indoor garden. This is a great way to expose children to new flavours and smells, and to get them interested in food production and science. We recommend herbs, garlic or onions.

Create a loose parts play corner

Loose parts play involves providing children with open-ended, adaptable materials that ignite their imaginations and encourage creative exploration. Toys include wooden blocks, magnetic tiles, rainbow blocks, pebbles, assorted flat marbles, assorted sizes of LEGO bricks, and so on.

Dr. Maria Montessori said that “play is the work of the child”. There is an incredible amount of research highlighting how beneficial exposure to nature and outdoor play is for children. There are even positive environmental impacts when children learn to appreciate and care for nature. So be sure to find some time to get outdoors and have some fun in the sun!

Join us for a school tour and discover House on the Hill today! Our family-run schools are centrally located in Mount Sophia, Balmoral Crescent, Pasir Panjang and the Hollandse Club, with programmes for children aged 18+ months to six years old.
Find out more at www.houseonthehill.com.sg/welcome

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