Indian Dessert in Singapore

Last night we had the pleasure of dining at a very nice Indian restaurant with friends. I always appreciate eating unfamiliar food with people who know what to order because a) I can't read the menu and b) even if I can read the menu, I don't know what the names of the food items mean. Last night was no exception. Our host took charge and ordered a large assortment of delectable vegetarian appetizers with difficult names to pronounce. Here are my descriptions: spinach and cheese wrapped in triangle-shaped dough and fried, minced broccoli and potato patties, spicy lentil paste (dal?), naan (spicy warm bread), hot and spicy fried calamari, raw purple onions, spicy warm chick peas. Each of the items was accompanied with its own little bowl of sauce that enhanced the flavor of that particular dish.

In addition to the appetizers, some of the main courses included grilled chicken, shredded chicken with a satay-type peanut/coconut sauce and braised lamb shanks. All were superb.

Because all the food was so delicious, I ate until I thought I could eat no more. Unfortunately, our host suggested we make room for some dessert. This dessert is an example of what defines the taste and presentation differences between North America and Asia. This dish contained pumpkin (I think) ice cream cut into cubes and served in bowl nesting in another bowl filled with dry ice and red liquid. Although the presentation was lovely, I have not yet "acquired" a taste for the substance inside.

Eric was a good sport and finished the bowl. But as we passed a Haagen Das vendor on our walk to the hotel, he insisted on stopping for a scoop of double Belgian chocolate.