The
Bombay Brasserie
Louise
Elgin joined the Silver Jubilee at
this super Indian
Twenty-five
years is an anniversary worth commemorating.
To mark this auspicious occasion
The Bombay Brasserie, one of London’s
most talked about and respected Indian
restaurants is having a year-long
celebration. A new executive chef
joins the team; Jaspal Singh Arora,
who after much success working with
the Taj Group in India now plans
to unveil a new and inventive menu.
He brings with him a vast knowledge
of authentic Indian cuisine, updating
and modernising dishes with his unique
touch, whilst promising to retain
the soul of this legendry establishment
in order not to upset devotees.
The
restaurant is split between two large
rooms, one set in a conservatory
style environment with plenty of
green plants and an airy, spacious
feel, the other being of a more formal
setting. Both rooms were very busy
on the night we visited but the service
seemed professional and efficient
at all times
We
began with a selection of starters
that included Sev Bata Puri, (small
puris topped with cubed potatoes,
garamflour straws, sprouted lentil
covered in mint, tamarind and chilli)
which, due to its popularity, has
remained on the menu for 25 years.
As soon as we tasted it we could
see why: this is truly inventive
Indian cookery at its finest. The
only way I can describe it is as
a fantastic taste explosion and a
must have if you dine there. We also
had some very good Khatta Mitha Titta,
which was very tender and boneless
good quality chicken, marinated in
a manner of all good things and served
with a zingy dip. Our other two starters,
crispy fried shrimps and baby spinach
served crispy, topped with sweet
yoghurt and tamarind chutney were
good without being exceptional. I
have never thought of India as a
wine-producing country, but there
were several to choose between both
of the red and white variety so we
had to try one. We selected a Sauvingnon
Blanc, which was well priced, fresh
and original, suiting the subtle
spiciness of the flavours on the
plate.
For
our main course, we shared a fabulous
fish curry and rice, which was moist
and subtlety spiced, a chicken Xacuti
(pronounced Shakuti), and with its
dark sauce and dense flavours it
offered something different and interesting.
We also tried a prawn masala, which
didn’t particularly stand out against
the other two dishes. To accompany
our main courses we tried a house
speciality, crispy fried okra tossed
in spices which was crunchy and very
more-ish, and some spicy baby aubergines
which were rather too oily for our
palate. When I eat in Indian restaurants
I normally have Naan bread with my
meal but on this occasion we tried
a Roti – a Laccha Paratha, which
is doughier in consistency and made
for a refreshing change.
For
pudding there were a whole host of
Indian sweets, which I sadly had
to pass by in favour of a wonderfully
refreshing trio of sorbets – banana,
mango and passion fruit. My guest
indulged in a bitter chocolate sorbet,
which she said was a very rich and
satisfying conclusion to her meal.
I left to travel home feeling well
fed but not overly so, which after
such a big meal is always a sign
of good cooking
A
menu for two with wine and water
is around £60 a head.
From
26th June the 25th Anniversary Celebrations
commence and run through the year
with a host of exciting upcoming
events taking place, including the
new menu, visiting guest chefs, give-aways
and even a fashion show. Check their
website, address below.
Louise
Elgin. June 2006
The
Bombay Brasserie Courtfield
Close, Courtfield
Road
London SW7
Tel: 020 7370 4040
Web: www.bombaybrasserielondon.com
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