[Review] Chef Milind Sovani’s Bhoomi Delivers Indian Classic Fares in an Unlikely Orchard Setting

Nestled within the storied, and perhaps unexpected, locale of Orchard Towers, Bhoomi is the latest venture from Chef Milind Sovani, a name familiar to Singapore’s Indian fine-dining scene from his time at the Michelin-starred Song of India. This pedigree sets a certain expectation, but a meal here feels less like a groundbreaking event and more like a competent, comfortable journey through well-known territory.

The space itself is a definite step away from the building’s past reputation. The interior is nicely furnished with a modern Indian aesthetic.

Earthy tones, rattan light fixtures, and solid wood furniture create a warm and contemporary atmosphere. A unique talking point is the second floor, which houses an antique wooden sedan chair and an old door, adding a touch of heritage amid the clean lines. It presents a pleasant, unintimidating setting that works for a casual dinner.

The menu, as described, is a tour of Indian classics, and for the most part, it delivers exactly what it promises.

We started with two mocktails, the Hyderabad Nojito ($11), a virgin mojito and the Cold Cold Cha ($9), a jaggery-infused lemon tea.

The opening soup, the Kulthachey Kalan ($12), was a gluten-free, vegan broth made from horsegram, a highly nutritious legume native to South Asia. This was one of our favourites and it gave us a hearty, filling and wholesome start.

Next for starters, the Bhima Onion & Avocado Kebab ($22) was a dense, pan-seared patty. It packed a good flavour punch and was more substantial than its appearance suggested.

Mains followed.

The Ultimate Chicken Tikka ($26), boasting a recipe from Delhi, was well-seasoned and charred nicely from the grill.

For curry lovers, the Lahsooni Palak Paneer ($24) was a reliable version of the creamy spinach and cottage cheese classic, and the Home Style Manglorean Fish Curry ($28) featured tender red snapper in a mild, comforting coconut gravy that paired well with a side of assorted Naans ($6/7, Plain/Garlic/Butter).

The fish curry was not too spicy, and it went well with the bread, while the paneer or indian cottage cheese, presents a balance with sweet and savoury notes.

For dessert, the Gud Ki Rasmalai ($12), made with palm jaggery instead of refined sugar, provided a sweet finish with its soft cheese dumplings.

Overall, while Bhoomi did dazzle with fusion or ground-breaking innovation, under Chef Milind’s direction, it focuses on presenting authentic, regional Indian dishes in a stylish environment. The flavours are recognisably classic, and the setting is a definite upgrade for its address. If you are looking for a reliably good Indian meal in a quiet, contemporary space on Orchard Road, Bhoomi delivers competently on that promise.

Address:
1 Claymore Drive, #01-05, Singapore 229594

Opening Hours:
Daily, 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Tel: +65 6225 4221

Email: [email protected]