The Place You might not have noticed the secret entrance to Aniba as you walk along the Singapore River in Raffles Place, where the contemporary Middle Eastern-Mediterranean restaurant is located. With access via a private lift at 6 Battery Road, it is a whole new world as I stepped into Aniba for dinner.

The ambience exudes dark wood tones and moody lighting, where there are different pockets of seating arrangement. There are tables beside the window which offer a view of the river, counter seating with a view of the open kitchen, bar seats with the gorgeous bar setting, as well as cosy sofa seats for a more intimate corner.  

I visited the restaurant on a Saturday night and there is also a resident DJ spinning music that day which add to the relaxed vibes.  

The Food The new menu at Aniba is an exploration of Middle Eastern-Mediterranean cuisines and flavours with a touch of Asian influences. The menu is fairly straightforward where you choose from the nibbles to the hot and cold dishes. For the beverage program, it is helmed by Edwin Tan who is formerly from Sago House, where the cocktail list is pretty innovative. I had the cool and crisp Cucumber (S$25) with Prohibition Gin, cucumber-dill syrup, and a hint of spicy pickle for a start! 

For nibbles, I had the recommended Pani Puri (S$9 per piece) where the crisp shell is filled with a refreshing yoghurt-yuzu foam and topped with seasonal candied mandarin peel and a slice of Hamachi. I had it in one bite and it is a refreshing burst of flavours.  

The other nibble I tried was the Gratin (S$16) where the fried gratin is topped with Bluefin Tartare, Black Truffle along with a side of Tomato Consommé to cleanse the palate after having the rich flavours of the tuna and truffle. 

On to the cold plate, I decided to go for the Toro (S$42) which is a different take on tacos by using Lahuch, which is Yemenite Flat Bread. The Lahuch taco spots a soft pillowy texture almost similar to pancake, and the big slab of grilled toro is topped with picked celery and shallot in a Jalapeño Aioli sauce. 

For the hot dish, I had the Halibut (S$69) where the Sous-Vide fish goes with Kohlrabi and Charred Morning Glory beneath in a Hollandaise sauce. Not too much of a surpise element here in terms of flavours. 

For dessert, no regrets choosing the Cacao (S$23) since I love my chocolate. It is a rich flavour of Chocolate Olive oil Baked Mousse in a Cocoa-Cardamom Sablé along with Olive Oil Gel, Rice Chantilly and topped with some Hazelnuts.  

Rants The portions of the dishes are generally quite small for the price point.

Will I Return Again? I think Aniba is great for a date night as the ambience is intimate and cosy since the lighting is quite moody and dim. Drinks and nibbles are good, though the main dishes are quite small for the price point.

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 3.5/5
Hole in the pocket: 4/5
Ambience: 4/5
Overall Experience: 3.5/5

Aniba 
6 Battery Road 
#05-03 
Singapore 049909 
Tel: +65 9668 8036 

Opening Hours 
Monday to Thursday: 12pm to 3pm; 5pm to 12am 
Friday: 2pm to 3pm; 6pm to 12am 
Saturday: 8.30pm to 2am  
Closed on Sundays

Ranted by The Ranter