Bombay Bistro

 
This is the story of a casual upscale Indian restaurant called Bombay Bistro on Jollyville at the site of the former Souper Salad. I never cared much for Souper Salad but I am very excited about Bombay Bistro. Why? The answer is simple: in a word, it’s their homage to history, innovation and quality. Bombay, renamed Mumbai in 1995, is one of the largest cities in the world and home to a variety of cultures and cuisines. Hence the diversity of Bombay Bistro.

Owned by a husband and wife team who were the original founders of Taj Palace on Middle Fiskville, Bombay Bistro features an extensive and popular lunch buffet. But it’s the dinner menu that we’re going to focus on. There are number of reasons you should try this restaurant for dinner. Here are several:

The appetizers intrigue me. Okay, all Indian food intrigues me! But they (the appetizers) are so aromatic and clever. Like the Baigan Mumtaz. This is a lovely dish of fried eggplant and spiced cheese served with a tomato chutney. The dish also bears the name of one of India’s most beloved movie stars (Mumtaz). I found it to be delectable. Or the Vegetable Samosas. These lovely turnovers stuffed with spiced potatoes and peas are not the least bit greasy as one often sees at Indian restaurants. The flavor is mellow with just a little kick. And the Bombay Crab Cakes also have their own unique flavor. Probably because of the mixture of potatoes, ginger and cilantro with the crab along with a papaya-ginger sauce. I’m not sure how well these would go over on Chesapeake Bay, but they sure work for me.

Also the Krazy Coconut Shrimp. This dish is more of an overture to the American palate with shrimps marinated in herbs and spices fried in a coconut batter. But I thought it rounded out the appetizers nicely.

When I first tried that absolute standard of Indian restaurants, the Tandoori Chicken, on my initial visit, it was dry and not very appealing. Not so on the second time around. The chicken was moist, perfectly flavored, and the tastes associated with the tandoor (clay oven) were right on. Chalk it up to opening pains. The tandoor also yielded the wonderfully marinated and very tender Lamb Tenderloin. The marinade of ginger and garlic might be a bit much for more sensitive palates, but us robust eaters, it’s a delight. I really enjoyed the texture and the uncompromising flavor of this dish. And you want to talk taste? Then try the Mille Julle Rattan. This features shrimp and scallops done in a creamy onion sauce laced with coconut milk and tomatoes. Chile peppers bring up the heat a bit but the overall taste sensation is nothing short of amazing. I loved this dish. And if you want classic, try the Mutton Curry. This is halal meat (goat) in a sinful onion and tomato sauce. The curry is not overwhelming and the dish is just delicious. Spinach fans will love the traditional Saag Paneer, a dish made from spinach and home-made cheese. A hot slice of Naan break to dip up the Saag is called for. This is one of the best Saag Paneers that I’ve tasted.

Bombay Bistro is at 10710 Research in the same center as Brick Oven Pizza. Do yourself a favor and come here for dinner. I’m not saying “DON’T” come for the lunch buffet. But you must try the dinner menu. Open nightly at 5:30pm.