Ms. Maria & Mr. Singh is Gaggan Anand’s Mexican-girl-meets-Indian-boy fantasy, expressed in a culinary world. The fictional story, which began in Bangkok in March 2020, travelled to Singapore in October 2022, landing squarely along Craig Road.
It’s all sufficiently kitschy, with saffron sari prints swaying from the ceiling, rattan lamps with tequila bottles inside and mosaic tiles on the walls.
I must admit that it took me a hot minute to re-align my expectations. With a name like Gaggan Anand behind this restaurant, you cannot blame me for thinking I’d be dining on some Mexican-Indian experimental mish-mash.
So, it’s not. Nothing like his crazy inventions at his eponymous restaurant in Bangkok which literally set him apart as one of the top chefs in the world.
I never made it to Gaggan in Bangkok, but I did have the luxury of trying his famed inventive take on Indian cuisine during the Gaggan residency at the Mandala Club last year.
And, I remember thinking, yes, it was very unique and experimental, indeed.
The food at Ms. Maria & Mr. Singh, while featuring some gastronomic flair, is all rather accessible.
That said, Gaggan being Gaggan, the menu cannot help but show off pops of his curious imagination. Such as his signature ‘yoghurt explosion’, something he honed during his time at El Bulli and which used to feature at Gaggan, Bangkok.
Once I checked my preconceived notions at the door, I relaxed and just focused on tasting the food. To make life easier, my friends and I went for the prix-fixe menu ($176 for 2 pax).
You get four starters, one taco set, two mains, one carb, a dal and a dessert.
So, this is what happens when Ms. Maria meets Mr. Singh?
Then came the Taco course. Since we had another couple dining with us, we chose two different ones to try.
Ok, you had me at Scallop Biryani. And Lamb. And Tamale.
So did Ms. Maria & Mr. Singh consummate their marriage?
We attempted discussions along the way of whether Ms. Maria & Mr. Singh succeeded in a whole-hearted fusion, creating a new entity. But decided that was probably never the intention, anyway.
Instead, each kept their personality, one proudly showing their heritage in some dishes, the other in others. Sounds like how a good marriage should be, if you ask me.
At the end of the night, all four of us left feeling stuffed and happy. So thanks, Ms. Maria & Mr. Singh, it was a blast.
Ms. Maria & Mr. Singh
Address: 43 Craig Road, Singapore 089681
Contact: +65 9654 4351
Website: https://www.mariaandsingh.sg/
Opening Hours:
Monday : Closed
Tuesday – Thursday: 6 pm – 10:30 pm
Friday:12–2:30pm, 6:00pm –12:00 am
Saturday & Sunday: 12–2:30pm, 6–10:30 pm