Bhoomi by Milind Sovani – Indian fine dining restaurant at Orchard

As a foodie, I constantly look out for restaurants to visit on special occasions. I recently visited Bhoomi, an Indian fine dining restaurant located at Orchard in Singapore. In Hindi, the word ‘Bhoomi’ means earth, and it completely harmonizes with the restaurant’s philosophy of going back to the roots.

Bhoomi is the brainchild of celebrated chef, Milind Sovani. He is known for being the culinary genius behind Singapore’s first Michelin-starred Indian restaurant, The Song of India. The decor of the restaurant serves as an instant reminder to authenticity with its earthenware, rustic decor and warm lighting. The ambiance is suitable for business dinners, family gatherings or an intimate gathering with friends.

The menu of Bhoomi is very interesting, where every recipe tells a story. It takes you on a journey from the coastal delicacies of Konkan to the robust spices of North India. There are a lot of varied and unique dishes for vegetarians to try and enjoy.

The influence of kebabs is from Mughal cuisine, and they are usually found as starters in an Indian fine dining restaurant. I was happy to see Nadru ki Shammi as a vegetarian starter on the menu as it is rare to find. These kebabs are made from lotus stem, Bengal gram, and a host of flavorful spices. They were crisp, hot off the grill, and delicious. The versatility of this vegetable is that its packed with health benefits and used in various forms in Indian cuisine.

Sarafa Bazaar in Indore is a blend of a shopper’s paradise and a foodie’s delight. During evenings, this market transforms into a street with multiple food stalls offering snacks and sweets. The Indori beetroot tikki (patty) is served on a bed of spicy sweetcorn crumble. The base is called Bhuttey ka Kees in which the corn is cooked with milk, coconut and spices to have a smooth texture. Highly recommended.

Pandara Road in New Delhi is a street famous for trying out wholesome North Indian food. Paneer Tikka Masala is an ode by chef Milind to his bachelor days in Delhi. The cottage cheese chunks soaked in a delicious gravy are moderately spiced and paired well with the bread.

I found the menu focuses on authentic dishes being cooked in traditional methods. Dal Dera Ismaail is a dish made by cooking black lentils over charcoal for 48 hours. The taste of slow cooking in authentic utensils transfers to the dish.

Bhoomi has an interesting assortment of breads, and that is good for health-conscious diners. The breads have health benefits – some are gluten free while the others are made from special flours. The Khapli Atta Roti and Amaranth roti were easy to tear apart and eat and the latter had a light spice mix in it. This is definitely a thumbs for a variety in dining.

I thought that this was Gulab Jamun sitting on a bean bag! This is a dessert dough ball served with Rabdi, a reduced milk delicacy infused with rose. This was not overly sweet and there was a good balance in the dessert. Recommended.

Malai Dry Fruit Kulfi is an Indian frostie dessert. It is loaded with dry fruits and the crunch of nuts. This delightful dessert is rich and creamy.

I missed taking the picture of the soup dish, Kulthachey Kalan. This is a supremely healthy horsegrain soup from the Konkan region and is a must-try dish at Bhoomi.

Bhoomi offers an immersive experience that celebrates the diversity of Indian cuisine. The restaurant scores with its thoughtfully curated menu, unique ingredients and commitment to tradition. The customer service at the restaurant could be slow during peak hours. Also note that additional wait time could be required to prepare the authentic dishes. I will definitely head back to Bhoomi to try the remaining dishes that looked interesting.

Overall, if you are looking for a restaurant to celebrate a special occasion with family and friends or looking to introduce your business colleague to Indian cuisine in a contemporary setting, then Bhoomi is highly recommended.