Tamarind Hill Restaurant Singapore

The best in Singapore is the best in the world

It has been said that “The best in Singapore is the best in the world” – they were, of course, referring to fine dining experience! And Singapore does have superabundance of regionally and internationally renowned food and beverage establishments.

However, from a restauranteur’s standpoint (I’m making an educated guess after talking to several managers/owners), tight-laced fine dining may not necessarily be the way forward in the present culinary world. There are only a handful of filthy rich wealthy customers who could afford the luxury of fine dining and how many of this minority would actually fine dine on a daily basis on personal account? With inflation ongoing, I dare say many of these punctilious establishments need a new class of consumers. Their best bet is on the modern generation with trendy tastebuds but these youngsters do not have obese wallets like daddy has, and thus the birth of secondary or sister restaurants serving fares with adjusted price tags and baptised the second line as semi-formal or casual relax style.

Since I also do not have a father or sugar daddy with obscene amount of money, I am always delighted when I chance upon conscionable restaurants with great chefs offering affordable menus without compromising on taste experiences.

Last night, I had the pleasure to share flavours with Jerry (my friend of nearly 3 decades) at Tamarind Hill Restaurant in the handsome surroundings of the Labrador Nature Reserve in Pasir Panjang area.

When Jerry suggested having Thai cuisine at Tamarind Hill, I was a bit reluctant because it was quite far away. I would have settled for a hamburger at The American Club but after seeing online photos of the fully-restored-colonial-bungalow restaurant, I knew I had to “location scout” to see if there’s any suitable grounds for sunset (this is west area of Singapore) and macro opportunities in the future.

“Set majestically atop Labrador Nature Reserve is Tamarind Hill, an elegant Thai restaurant that’s been part of Singapore’s vibrant dining scene since 2012. Barely three years old, it’s already received critical acclaim from the likes of Cuisine and Wine, which named it “Restaurant of the Month” just two months after its official opening.

Beyond its resplendent façade lies an equally luxurious restaurant and bar where aperitifs and signature cocktails like Tamarini, Pad Thai and King of the Hill are served before and after dinner. Here, diners can also find an extensive wine list that’s managed and attended by Rajeshwaran Gopal, one of the country’s best-known sommeliers.

Aesthetics and alcoholic indulgences aside, what sets Tamarind Hill apart is its authentic Thai food. The kitchen is headed by executive chef Wanthana Nikonsaen who, armed with years of restaurant experience, serves unpretentious yet tasty Thai cuisines, such as the delectable beef massaman curry and crispy duck breast served alongside green pea and eggplant tempura.” – Expat Living (Wine and Dine/Restaurants) 6 May 2013

Women Everywhere in Food Empires But No Head Chefs.
Women occupy just 6.3 percent, or 10 out of 160 head chef positions at 15 prominent U.S. restaurant groups analyzed by Bloomberg. – Ryan Sutton, March 7, 2014

With that, I am honoured to take nourishment prepared by a woman Executive Chef Wanthana Nikonsaen, also affectionately known as Chef Phin. The reason for Chef Phin’s ambition to become a chef has to do with her childhood. During her younger days in Thailand, she would follow her mother shopping for groceries. She found it interesting watching her mother from picking out fresh ingredients at the marketplace to preparing meals in their home kitchen. She dabbled in cooking but her dad criticised – her cooking was not as good as mom’s. To prove her dad wrong, she decided to work hard to become a chef. Such dedication, I guess she must love her dad a lot!

“A knife is to a chef, what a brush is to an artist. The rush I get every time I hold a knife is indescribable – It excites me the same way some people do when they get behind the wheel of a luxury car, for example.” – Chef Wanthana Nikonsaen (Tamarind Hill Singapore)

Let’s see what I’d enjoyed from Chef Phin…

The soft shell crab was very crispy and light with no oily mouthfeel.

The red tomyum soup was my favourite, rich aromatic with the right level of sour and spiciness coupled with very fresh ingredients of mix seafood (fish, scallop, squid and prawn) and mushrooms.

Jerry liked the sea bass but I felt it was slightly overcooked and I also preferred more soupy broth.

The mushrooms’ texture was firm even though they were thoroughly cooked through, spongey and soaking up the hot sauce nicely. I’m sure Vanessa would enjoy them.

That said, the portions were indeed very generous for two persons. We’ve over ordered. I was stuffed!

The coffee was acceptable but the coconut ice cream was a disappointment but I think any coconut ice cream would be a letdown since the day I had 320 Below’s coconut ice cream.

I must say that the overall experience was wonderful and this is a place I would return for their Thai hospitality and, of course, to try out some wine since they have one of the best sommeliers in town. The laid back sumptuous greenery neutralised the killing pace of city living, a most welcoming detour in our hectic lives. When fine dining, we are not just paying for food (as in paying at a hawker stall) but for service and ambience; for how we felt as a being after the taste experience is digested. Did I find value here? Yes, I did. For a moment, my mind was allayed from the mayhem of recent dealings. I had peace and reconciliation. My conscience clear. If not for the annoying mozzies, I would have stayed longer.

Tamarind Hill Restaurant

 (owned and managed by Samadhi Retreats)

Address: 30 Labrador Villa Road,
Singapore 119189.

Telephone: (+65) 6278 6364

Opening hours:
Lunch: 12nn – 3pm
Dinner: 6pm – 11pm

Reserve now using Quandoo platform

Happy eating and bonding