India on your Plate
Bombay Brasserie
There are an overwhelming number of restaurants dishing out what passes as ‘modern Indian’ cuisine today, so there is a growing sense of fatigue as you hear of another launch that focuses on Indian food from across the country. How does a new space differentiate itself from the flock? Some, like Bombay Brasserie go local and use the Indian-origin ingredients card to great effect to separate themselves from the back. As the restaurant makes its way to Delhi (this is its 8th outlet in the country), the DNA of the brand remains uncompromised and most dishes use ingredients that are specific to certain parts of India and not so frequently used. For example, the thecha prawn is a Maharashtrian speciality and the prawns are coated in a thick peanut, chillies and coconut paste that helps temper the fiery appetiser. Similarly, the aam papad paneer is rooted in Amritsar as you get the best aam papad there. The dish is sour and tart and the leather texture of the aam papad contrasts well with the creaminess of the paneer. Other small plates worth nibbling on include the tilkut masala flat rotis which are essentially tempered in tomato peanut chutney and served with spiced eggplant on a flat bread with a ‘Tilkut’ masala sprinkle popular in Sangli, Maharashtra. The source of the key ingredient in every dish is mentioned alongside the dish name on the menu. Small is Wise Dive into the mains only if you are really hungry as the small plates are actually good enough for two and much more inventive than the rest of the menu. You can also buy stuff from their ingredient bar which is currently made up of four unique items that have been sourced and selected for you. Choose from cassava flour, coconut sugar, beetroot powder and Himalayan pink salt. These products are 100 per cent natural and handpicked straight from the source.
End your meal with the Amritsari kulfa and chase your entire meal with one of the India-inspired cocktails or fun pawhas or quarter drinks. With interiors that are easy on the eye (the space is done up in citrus and blue shades) and service to boot, Bombay Brasserie gives forgotten Indian ingredients a new, contemporary lease of life. at H 66- 68, Outer Circle, First Floor, Connaught Place 011-40030500
meal for two `1900 plus taxes —Prachi Bhuchar