Table by Rang Mahal is a relaxed open dining room concept located at the lobby of the revamped Naumi Hotel. This relatively new spot serves contemporary Indian cuisine created by the chefs behind the venerable Rang Mahal fine dining restaurant. Here, you can perch yourself at the long communal dining table and mingle with other diners or choose to sit at one of the smaller tables.  

The concise menu includes starters such as chilli cheese kulzza, a puffy pizza-like bread topped with melted cheddar, chilli and fresh coriander. Although the ingredients are simple, the combination of cheese and aromatics is highly satisfying. The popular street snack of Bombay pani puri or semolina puffs with chilled spiced water and sweet tamarind chutney is light, crunchy and addictive, as is the plump samosa - freshly made golden pastry stuffed with soft potato filling and matched with a piquant dip. 

A star main is the malmali seekh kebab comprising tender minced lamb redolent of warm spices. The meat is rolled up neatly like a sausage and grilled to perfection. You can’t go wrong with the classic butter chicken too. The tandoor-fired chicken cubes are simmered in rich, creamy tomato gravy, which you can mop up with fluffy naan. If you prefer seafood, the tandoori prawns coated in spiced yoghurt marinade and finished on the grill are lighter but just as sublime.

Impressive vegetarian items include juicy mushrooms scented with herbed spice yoghurt and cooked in tandoor until beautifully smoky. Patiala aubergine, comprising whole baby aubergines bathed in a tangy tomato gravy, sees pickled spices elevating existing flavour notes. 

Cap it off with saffron rasmalai – squishy homemade fresh cheese dumplings in reduced saffron and cardamom flavoured milk. Or a healthy dessert of sugar-free popsicles made with fresh raspberry, coconut milk and chia seeds. 

Prices here are not overly expensive. The executive set lunch at only $18 per person (available in both non-vegetarian and vegetarian options) is a steal and makes perfect sense for busy executives. 

Table by Rang Mahal will draw diners with its fresh, balanced and flawlessly executed dishes. The setting is the only element that may need some getting used to. As the lobby, reception desk, lounge and dining areas share the same open space, it does tend to get a little cluttered.

Naumi Hotel, 41 Seah Street, Tel: 6403 6005