Barood, from the same team behind acclaimed Revolver, bills itself as a Latin-Indian izakaya. Latin, Indian, Japanese? This I had to try!
My friends and I decided to enjoy the latest Restaurant Week menu a couple of weekends back – a good chance to try some of their highlights at $89 per person.
I must say, I have chosen well this October season for Dining City’s Restaurant week that happens twice in the year. I revisited an old haunt, Humpback and loved it, and discovered a new place, Binary, with its caviar menu, which was pretty good as well.
Back to Barood, though. It’s got a mood to it, that’s for sure. Located on the second floor of the shophouse where Revolver is, you feel like you’re walking into a private supper club in 1960s Paris. Noir photos adorn the deep red walls, lights strategically placed for illicit vibes.
Okay, I’m going overboard. Nothing illicit, no spy-worthy activities taking place here.
Just a mix of well-heeled folks sippin’ on Barood’s impressive range of cocktails and liquors.
We had a strict 1.5 hour (or was it 2 hours?) dining time limit, so we got down to business quickly with a round of cocktails, followed by a crowd-pleasing Gigondas and ending off with some port.
But what about Barood’s curious branding of a Latin-Indian izakaya?
I’m wondering if this is a trend – the Latin and Indian mixing? I know the concept is not new per se, I mean, how many casual beach bars have there been in Singapore where you could get your burrito and biryani fix on?
But, as evidenced by the opening of another Latin-Indian marriage, Gaggan Anand’s Ms Maria and Mr Singh, the cultures are consummating more wholeheartedly, and delivering a truly mixed baby, not just slapping two cuisines side by side.
First up, Tostadas. One was a smoked aubergine, really lovely aroma like any baingan bharta should be. The other, a pickled hamachi and avocado, creamy and piquant.
The Goat Biryani Arancini was what I was most keen to try but it was a little confounding. Don’t get me wrong, the goat meat was rich and delicious, but the biryani was represented by the crisp rice bits on the deep-fried ball. I thought I might have been getting something more like the classic creamy arancini, with a moist rice ball where I could actually taste the flavourful biryani rice.
The next dish was one of my favourites. Scallop Tart with mango, chipotle and curry leaf oil. This was a fiesta in the mouth! So glad they gave us two each.
More mixin’ at Barood.
The Momo Calcutta was a chicken gyoza, indianized with Goan sambal. Loved the ginger and spices in the little dumplings.
Next up, the classic at any izakaya, the yakitori. This, of course, was Barood’s own speciality, a tandoori-ish smoked Lobster version with chutney, not an Indian chutney but chipotle chutney. Here is your 3-in-1 representation!
Then, the classic at any Mexican place, the taco. This was a Pork taco with mango and cheese, made me feel like I was eating a chapati.
In short, it was a a good izakaya-style dining at Barood. Every dish was flavourful and we were sufficiently satiated at the end of the meal. It’s a good place to enjoy some drinks and bites with friends.
Barood:
Address: 56A Tras Street, Singapore 078977
Contact: (65) 9622 3410, reservations@barood.com.sg
Website: https://barood.com.sg/
Opening Hours:
Wednesday to Saturday: 5pm to 12am
Closed on Sunday to Tuesday