The vibrant Northern Indian cuisine engages all the senses with its strong flavors, an array of bright, rich colors and lovely textures. It is an exciting experience, not only in terms of taste, but in other aspects. The tandoor (hot oven) from Punjab brings out the natural flavors of the food, and gives it a special taste which can never be replicated in a conventional oven. Strong culinary traditions meet creativity and innovation in Samundar, making an overall satisfying dining experience.

• The Vibe
  Indian fusion cuisine served in a contemporary yet casual environment. Dine Al fresco by the beach, or dine stylishly indoors. Located along Palawan beach, the restaurant boasts a fantastic sea view. Enjoy dinner by the beach, while watching the deepening sky, interspersed with rays of golden fading sun. Décor is simple and unassuming. Dining room maintains a quiet elegance with the warm pink walls and tasteful, decorative artifacts. Subtle and modern, the place attracts a wide variety of clientele.

• The Food
  Samundar features an extensive selection of Northern Indian delights and a variety of new creations. Its culinary glories include the Jheenga Masala ($13.80) and the Fish Wasabi Tandoor Style ($12.90). Soft pieces of fish marinated in a thick, creamy wasabi paste is grilled to perfection in the Tandoor Clay oven. The result is a dish that is gratifying both visually and in taste. The Jheenga Masala offers a generous helping of succulent tiger prawns served with a lovely, thick freshly grounded garam masala gravy. The sauce is rich and tangy. Flavors slowly percolate through the tongue leaving a refreshing aftertaste. For poultry, consider the Murgh Peshwari. ($11.50) Chicken is marinated in tandoori spices, and cooked in a tandoor oven, bringing out the earthy and wholesome taste. Curries in a multitude of colors are a visual spectacle, brightening up the meal. Thick pieces of cottage cheese draped in a rich cashew and tomato based gravy, make the Paneer Makhani ($8.90) tremendously satisfying. End off the hearty meal with the delightfully sweet Gulab Jamun. ($5.00) Warm traditional milk dumplings with a paste of green pistachio, is tasty without the greasiness.

• The Service
  The warm and gracious service adds the polish to an excellent meal.

The SD Food Advisor's take on Samundar
Some people may find Indian cuisine inaccessible deeming it as overly “spicy” or a tad too exotic for the taste buds. However, Samundar promises to deliver food that is delicious, and accessible to all, with its many intriguing selections, guaranteed to appeal to every taste bud. Familiar Northern Indian dishes are given a twist, by infusing it with different styles of cooking and a variety of international spices. The result is a delightful multi-cultural mélange which is set to tantalize with new sensations and interesting textures.