The Bombay brasserie celebrates its silver jubilee

What happened in 1982? The world took its first sip of Diet Coke; the UK went to war over the Falklands; ET tried to phone home and on the 10th of December the Bombay Brasserie ushered in a new era for Indian restaurants. Gone was the flock wallpaper and the cooking by numbers (one sauce fits all) that sadly still characterises many local neighbourhood Indian restaurants.

The Bombay Brasserie set new standards, and was the first home with the concept of Indian fine dining, Now on the 10th of December 2007, for one night only, the anniversary will be celebrated by offering customers the exact same menu from 25 years previously and more importantly at the exact same prices!

Today’s diners will be familiar with many of the dishes on the original menu, but in 1982 with its emphasis on regionality, the menu was a complete revelation. Even more surprising were the prices. £5 50 for Tandoori Poussin or £4 95 for Goan fish curry and rice may be low by today’s standards, but 25 years ago such a price point reflected The Bombay Brasserie’s unique offering – that of plucking Indian cuisine from the neighbourhood high street and elevating it to cordon bleu status.

The restaurant has remained at the cutting edge of Indian cuisine in London and was recently the only restaurant to be included in the Evening Standard’s list of 14 eateries that made the most indelible impression on their famous critic over the last 30 years.

The Bombay Brasserie, Courtfield Close, London SW7 4QH

E-mail: bombay1brasserie@aol.com
Website: www.bombaybrasserielondon.com
Reservations: 020 7370 4040
Read Clifford Mould’s review: www.dine-online.co.uk/bombayb.htm