Posted By Gabriel
I have to be honest: I’ve heard unending proclamations from friends about how the Arab Street area is a cornucopia of great eats, interesting buys and an “Indie cool” feel but I’ve never actually been to the region, my prior experience to Bugis limited to Bugis Junction, Bugis Village and the National Library. Thus, when a friend suggested eating at a restaurant of certain repute on Bali Lane serving Middle-Eastern cuisine, I leapt at the chance to soak up the “oriental” vibe.
Alas, while my dining experience at Nabins was perfunctory, it was nowhere near as stellar as I had hoped.
The first thing that strikes one about the outlet (other than the rows of Shisha apparatus adorning a side of the upper floor) is the cosy interior. The soft lighting and layer of throw cushions and mattresses, embroidered Middle Eastern style, lining the floor (the restaurant has no chairs, per se, and the tables are all low coffee tables), together with the fact that all customers have to remove their footwear before proceeding into the dining area, lends a relaxed, comfortable air to the ambience. The dim lights, however, make for arduous photo-taking sessions and the decor, while “authentic” looking, have a distinct unwashed feel to them (plus, there were several insect carcasses trapped in the lights!).
The food was decent, with an equal number of hits and misses (although admittedly the “misses” weren’t all that bad either and could just be chalked to an unfamiliarity with foreign cuisine).
My friends and I shared two huge platters - a plate of their best appetisers as well as a roasted chicken dish.
The appetiser dish comprised Mushroom Olivia, Bitingan Mali (which is apparently some sort of fried eggplant with minced meat and rice dish), Kofta Kebabs (which I understand contain ground meat) as well as drumlets and fish bites. The mushrooms were salty and tasty despite being a tad dry (and sometimes harboured a hint of burnt taste) and the Mali was flavourful and packed with all sorts of herbs and spices that left a long-lingering aftertaste. The drumlets and fish bites, however, tasted like cheap Western fare while the kebabs were dry and hard to swallow, with a bland forgettable taste.
The roasted chicken was better overall. The chicken meat was unbelievably tender (without being overly crumbly), and the gravy was fantastically herbal and elevated the hard rice to a great staple side. Beware, though, that the gravy had a strong lamb taste and is not advisable for those adverse to strong meat tastes.
To top off the shared dishes, we also had two dessert dishes, one of which proved to be the best part of the meal. The umali, a bread pudding specialty, was absolutely divine, with an incredibly sweet and rich milk and almond taste that was amazingly strong off the bat but somehow did not leave too cloying or sticky and aftertaste.
For washing down the meal, I ordered a red apple granitas, a blend of grated ice, fruit juice and sugar syrup. The drink was refreshing and sweet (without tasting too artificial) but it had a decidedly cheap taste that likened it to a concoction one can get from a fancier bubbletea stall.
Just like the granitas, most of the food at Nabins was a good but not great. At about S$23 per person for the above mentioned menu (which was really filling), the outlet is a decent choice for those looking for a chill-out place but I’m sure there are other better choices around the area.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Nabins
Address: 27 Bali Lane Singapore
Tel: +65 6299 3267
Opening Hours
Weekdays: 10am – 11pm
Weekends: 10am – 5am
