Bombay

There used to be a Bombay beneath Jems, more or less opposite 7Days 7Ways. It then moved over the road into a multi-restaurant building called 3 Choices, joining a steak House and a Chinese. The building then became 'Asia House and had 2 restaurants, the Bombay up one flight of stairs from street level and above that a nearly identical Chinese and Thai restaurant called the Beijing. When Luxor was quiet, the Beijing closed and all menus were available from the Bombay. Now the Bejing has closed altogeether leaving just the Bombay and above it, where the Bejing used to be, a cafe called 'Moods'.

Initially the Bombay was managed by an Egyptian owner and served a very wide range of meals, based on the variety typically available in the 'west', although we were not convinced about the quality. In September 2009 the Bombay was taken over by an Indian couple with previous experience of running an Indian restaurant in the middle east. The meals changed from a typical western version of an Indian takeaway into authentic Indian cuisine. The menu changed drastically, too. The range became much more limited. The main course list had barely a dozen choices and there was just one choice of dessert. The menu only showed Indian fare, including Indian beverages. Other beverages, including beers, were available, but you had to ask. Similarly, the menu did not list Indian breads or rice although they were available. Anyone who visited at that time and who found the menu a little restricted and secretive, will be glad to know that things have changed again.

There is no change to the general appearance. The Bombay is still very well decorated in varnished bare brick with terracotta ceiling and highlights and windows well dressed with matching heavy fabric. The tables are set with burgundy over white table cloths. Lighting is quite low but well balanced: low enough to provide atmosphere but high enough to see. The Indian background music that was introduced in 2009 appears to have been abandoned and there are no longer any staff in Indian dress. The waiter was dressed casually in western style.

The main change is the menu, which has reverted to the list of choices that will be more familiar to most people. Vindaloo, Korma, Sag etc, all listed with chicken, lamb or seafood options and mostly in the LE40 - LE50 range: the exception, as usual, being prawn-based meals which have a LE10 - LE15 premium and vegetarian meals, which are cheaper. Starters are mostly LE10 - LE20, rice LE11 - LE15 and breads LE7 - LE14. Soft drinks and fresh juices are LE10 and LE12 - LE15 respectively and beers and wine are also available.

As well s the Indian menu, there are a few international choices - pastas are LE20 - LE25 and grills LE40 - LE50. A welcome children's menu has a couple of options, including chicken nuggets at LE20.

Before the relatively recent changes we liked the appearance of the restaurant, we liked the food and the staff were efficient enough but we thought the food variety and clarity of menu at a Taste of India would be better accepted by visitors who eat their Indian food outside the Indian sub-continent, and are more familiar with western-style Indian takeaways and restaurants. Now that the menu at the Bombay is being presented in a much more familiar way you have the best of both worlds - dishes that are easier to understand and authentic Indian cuisine. The range is still not quite as great as at the Taste of India, but if the Bombay has what you want, we think you will like it better here.

Bombay web site: http://www.newbombay.net
Email: newbombayrestaurant@yahoo.com
Phone: (01) (095) 284381
Review updated January 2012
Prices at January 2012