Bombay

There used to be a Bombay beneath Jems, more or less opposite 7Days7Ways. It then moved over the road into a multi-restaurant building called 3 Choices, joining a steak House and a Chinese. The building now houses 2 restaurants. The Bombay is up one flight of stairs from street level. Above it is a nearly identical looking Chinese and Thai restaurant called Asia House. Initially the Bombay was managed by an Egyptian owner and served a very wide range of meals, although we were not convinced about the quality.

The Bombay has now has new management. In September 2009 it was taken over by an Indian couple who have previous experience of running an Indian restaurant in the middle east and aim to provide authentic Indian cuisine.

The new management has not changed the general appearance. Like Asia House above it, the Bombay is very well decorated in varnished bare brick with terracotta ceiling and highlights and windows well dressed with matching heavy fabric. The tables are well set with burgundy over white table cloths. Lighting is quite low but well balanced. Low enough to provide a little atmosphere but high enough to see. Unfortunately, during our visits the table linen was not as clean as it might be.

To add the the authentic Indian ambition, the background music is Indian, but rather repetitive, and most of the waiters have Indian dress. The exception is the person who seemed to be taking the main waiting role, possibly the new manager, who was dressed casually in western style.

The menu has certainly changed. The previous management offered a very full range, with European variations on Indian meals, such as Korma, Masala, Jalfrezi and Sag dishes based on various meats, and a classical selection of Rojan, Bhuna, Malayan, Madras, Vindaloo, again with meat choices and vegetarian options. The range is now much more limited. The main course list has bearly a dozen choices and there is just one choice of dessert, so if you don't like an Indian dessert based on mango and condensed milk for LE18 you need to walk down the road for an ice cream.

The menu only shows Indian fare, including Indian beverages. Other beverages, including beers, are available, but you need to ask. Similarly, the menu does not list Indian breads or rice, but they are available. This is a little disconcerting to those of us who like to see what is available and what it costs. Some options not on the menu are pillau rice at LE14, beers from LE20 and soft drinks around LE10.

Starters are generally in the LE12 - LE20 region, main course dishes are between about LE45 and LE60, Indian beverages around LE15-18.

These prices are towards the top end but the meat was tender and the dishes well presented. The meals were clearly prepared by someone who knows their indian food. Native indians will no doubt appreciate the efforts of the management but the question has to be whether tourists in Luxor are looking for a narrow range, albeit authenic, of Indian cuisine, or whether they would be just as happy with what they are used to back home.

Before the new management took over, we liked the appearance of the restaurant and the staff were efficient enough but we thought the food at a Taste of India was better. Now the food at the Bombay is much improved and will please those who know their Indian cuisine. However, the narrower choice, secretive menu and higher prices might still send to the Taste of India the many who eat their Indian food in Europe rather than India and are not able to discern the difference in cuisine.