A breath of fresh air in the North Indian dining scene emanates from this dainty two-storey restaurant. Omar Shariff, situated in the corner of Sixth Avenue Centre, has been serving authentic North Indian cuisine since 1996. Having won numerous accolades for their healthy yet mouth-watering menu, including Singapore's Best Restaurant in 1998 and Excellent Food Award in 2002 amongst many others, this restaurant provides catering and takeaway services as well.

• The Vibe
  Elegance seems to be in order at Omar Shariff, where diners are greeted by lush floral wallpaper, fancy embroidered brocade chairs and crisp, white linen tablecloths. The ground floor houses a modest yet tasteful bar counter with a mere two tables that are guaranteed much action between the lively kitchen and the stairs that lead to a much larger dining area on the second level. Diners, who prefer a quieter environment, can traipse up the wooden steps to a cozy setting complete with dim lights and soft classical music. You can even request for an intimate table for two out by the balcony on the second level that is perfect for a special occasion.

• The Food
  Begin tempting your taste buds with their kebabs, notably the Mutton Sheekh Kebabs ($14.90) and Sheekh Kebab Banarsi ($12.90). The former features minced mutton blended with ground spices that release a spiced fragrance trailing from the kitchen to your table. These crimson cylinders may look awfully dry but as you bite into one, the minced meat crumbles into a soft, spicy mouthful of mutton goodness that leaves a wonderfully hot sensation at the back of your throat as it glides down your gullet. Love your greens and order a Sheekh Kebab Banarsi, vegetarian kebabs made of minced vegetables and spices. Surprisingly light on the palate, these healthy kebabs are hardly oily and perfectly soft, with a tinge of spice that is not as fiery as the mutton kebabs.

  While some diners are ardent supporters of all things spicy, others may prefer a tamer dish, such as the Malai Tikkas ($14.90). Boneless pieces of chicken are marinated in the chef's secret spice blend and grilled to perfection, resulting in a juicy, tender chicken that carries a slightly charred aroma.

  An authentic North Indian meal certainly cannot be missing the tandoori dish. For diners who are jaded with the unchanging Tandoori Chicken dishes in most Indian restaurants, be pleased with Omar Shariff's offer of the Tandoori Prawns ($24), king prawns marinated in yoghurt, spices and finally cooked in the illustrious tandoor (Indian clay oven). The huge prawns are, thankfully, easily shelled with the fork and spoon. This is an absolute succulent delight, highly indicative of the prawns' freshness, and well-marinated as the spices seep through the shell to reside in the thick flesh.

  Pair all these delectable dishes up with a staple of Delhi Naan ($2.50) and Yagani Chawal ($6.90), aromatic basmati rice with saffron strands, for a truly filling meal. The Delhi Naan is plain and chewy, and although Omar Shariff offers many other flavoured naans , this is an uncomplicated companion to strong, savoury tastes of the kebabs and tandoori dishes. Similarly, the Yagani Chawal is a simple yet ideal staple, with its fluffy grains and pleasing fragrance. The cheery yellow hue truly entices diners and coupled with a light taste, there's always room in your stomach for one more mouthful of this rice. If you fancy an extra ‘oomph', have a Rogani Sabzi ($12), a flavourful dish of mixed vegetables in spicy gravy, to go with your rice and naan . This vegetable gravy is suitably spicy with generous chunks of mushrooms, scoring in both taste and texture.

  Get a glass of lime juice ($5) that is mildly sweet, with a citrus tinge to it, and not too acidic – ideal for refreshing the palate after a spicy North Indian meal. After which, continue to scintillate your taste buds with a dandy finale. The Gajjar Halwa is an unusual carrot dessert that tastes nothing like a bland carrot. Quite the contrary, fresh carrot pulp is served warm and sweet, and then topped with a juicy cherry. The finely shredded carrot is crunchy and suitably sweet without being overtly saccharine. Such a light and comforting dessert certainly ends the meal at Omar Shariff on a very pleasant note.

• The Service
  Members of the staff are immaculately dressed and very polite. Any enquiries about the menu or the location of the washroom is met with smiles aplenty, making the Omar Shariff experience an amiable one, indeed.

SD Food Advisor's Take on Omar Shariff
This restaurant is lovely for a cozy night out with intimate friends at an affordable price. After facing an endless stream of tandoori chickens and kulfies, the rich Indian ice cream for dessert, I find solace in Omar Shariff's comforting menu. The carrot dessert of Gajjar Halwa is especially delightful as an alternative to otherwise rich desserts that one usually spots in an Indian menu.