At GinRikSha, the vibrant yet cosy interior is very likeable. Moreoever, there’s an ease that carries through from the casual vibe to the food, which makes a meal here rather enjoyable. The feature wall of plants is striking, and so are the colourful wheels on the ceiling – a visual nod to the restaurant and bar’s name, which is inspired by a form of transport once prevalent in the region: the rickshaw. And the three large mirrored discs on one of the walls, we think they add an artistic merit to the place, probably because they sort of remind us of Anish Kapoor’s works, but we digress.
The menu is extensive, and you’re encouraged to order a variety of dishes to share. The restaurant describes their food as ‘Asian cuisine with a modern twist’, but the dishes are largely Indian in origin. Admittedly, some of them are modern interpretations of classic Indian cooking (like the mutton varuval quesadilla, masala mussels, butter chicken poutine, Bombay masala salmon, etc), but others are merely presented more elegantly (like the boneless mutton varuval that’s served with toasted bread).
The good thing is, while the food has been updated, they don’t come across as try-hard or pretentious. Instead, they stay true to the familiar bold, punchy flavours that are a joy to eat. Notable dishes include the banana leaf-wrapped sea bass that’s baked on a bed of basmati rice and served with brinjal sambal; buttermilk prawns with mantau; spicy honey garlic rack of lamb; and spicy tamarind flavoured Kerala shrimp with roasted coconut.
Wine and limited craft beer options are available here. There’s also a selection of cocktails, and they too take on an Asian slant, using ingredients such as gula Melaka, cilantro, ginger, rasam mix, star anise and chai mix.
