Homeboy and I were invited to sample a meal at the iconic Bombay Brasserie, a fine dining India restaurant. Having visited Mumbai (Bombay) and being a lover of Indian cuisine, I eagerly made the booking. This great dining room has been dishing up its eclectic menu since 1982. With Bombay cuisine influenced by so many nearby countries, you’ll find plenty of exotic and evocative dishes to tempt and tantalise your taste buds. If you’re searching for the best Indian restaurants London, places to eat in Kensington or restaurants near Gloucester Road do give the Bombay Brasserie a try.
Conservatory Area
Bombay Brasserie Menu
Sriram Aylur is the Director of Operations, he founded Quilon, won a Michelin star in 2008 and now oversees the Brasserie. The executive chef is Prahlad Hedge who has extensive experience of working in Mumbai and is an expert about the nuances of regional speciality dishes. He was recognised by The Good Curry Guide and awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award, so you’re in expert hands.
Kebab Platter
Don’t expect the menu to be like your typical Indian restaurant because this is fine dining, so it is more refined. The cooking in Bombay is influenced by Goa, Bengal, Gujarat and blended with Imperial Mughal, Raj and Portuguese flavours, you can enjoy a fusion of tastes. The menu isn’t vast either which is perfect, so you don’t have to spend too long deliberating about what to order. If you are unsure which starter to select, you can choose a couple of options to make up a small platter. They can also make main dishes as mini starters if you so wish.
Seafood Platter
We tried the Palak Patta Chaat, which was fabulous. It’s a mix of crispy baby fried spinach, yoghurt, dates and tamarind chutney in a small bowl which you eat with a spoon. I tried two vegetarian starters of Chilli Milli Kebab which wasn’t a kebab in the sense you think, it is a spiced vegetable cake wrapped around bullet chilli. It came with a piece of chargrilled paneer with yellow chilli. The portions are tiny but delicious. Homeboy ate the Khada Masala Scallops which he said had a spicy kick. This was accompanied by a delightful piece of monkfish with mustard from Calcutta.
Our Vegetarian and Fish Starters
The main courses are divided into Vegetarian, Seafood, Clay Oven and a section featuring Chicken, Lamb and Game plus the accompaniments. We shared an array of small vegetarian dishes. These included a black lentil dhal, okra with mango powder, a mix of butternut squash with sweet potatoes and various green beans, roasted baby potatoes with ginger and spices, saffron pilau rice and Peshwari naan. It was a tasty fusion of flavours which included some spicy dishes. Homeboy also had the Goa Halibut Curry flavoured with coconut, red chillies and tamarind which he said was very well cooked and expertly seasoned. Other fish and seafood options included Masala Seabass, a couple of prawn dishes and a seafood platter.
Our Main Meal
There were quite a variety of chicken offerings ranging from Tikka Makhani to Tandoori. Lamb lovers could try the Sali Boti cooked with apricots, the Adraki Lamb Chops with Ginger while the Tandoori Raan is a braised lamb shank with cinnamon and black cumin. The Venison Roast is very popular which is served as fillet strips with onion, tomatoes, ginger, coconut slivers and spices. All in all, it was a great menu covering all tastes so it is ideal for a large party of guests.
Venison Roast
Desserts include Kesar Pista Phirni which is a saffron and pistachio rice pudding served with a rose cream biscuit. Carrot Cake, Malai Kulfi and Berry Parfait. We tried the Trio of Desserts, which was a mini chocolate samosa, chocolate brownie and raspberry chocolate. This would be great with some of the Indian ice cream because the brownie was warm, that’s if you have any room left!
Trio of Desserts
The drinks list is very extensive, featuring expensive wines and spirits. They also have an incredible list of exclusive, rare and limited whisky. Perhaps try the Old Monk aged dark rum, an Indian beer, or a lassi (sweet, salty, mango, strawberry or berry). We enjoyed a few of the mocktails, and I particularly liked the Tamaringer (tamarind, chilli, sweet and sour mix) and the Indian Summer (mango puree, fresh mint, orange and mango juice.) If you want to finish with a coffee, go for the Cobra which is for a minimum of two people and is their legendary flambé coffee.
Bombay Brasserie Interiors
You enter through the bar which has a vintage Hollywood feel about it. With wooden shutters dressing the windows, a bar area with a great display of spirit bottles and plush armchairs, you can enjoy sipping a cocktail while you relax.
Bar and Lounge Area
Once your guests have arrived, you’ll be shown in a spectacular dining room. The interiors have been created by DesignLSM who has played on the restaurant’s established heritage. Full of colonial charm, you are surrounded by beautiful natural materials sourced from India and Portugal. With traditional ceiling fans, brass lamps, lush foliage and lavish displays of tropical flowers, you immediately feel relaxed in this calm oasis. Look up, and you’ll notice the fantastic chandeliers which are pretty spectacular.
Main Dining Room
With various seating options from large round tables to intimate curved booths, each group of guests are made to feel special. The seating was certainly very comfortable, and the tables well-spaced for privacy. This makes the restaurant ideal for business meetings or special anniversaries. I noticed a real mix of diners ranging from five-star tourists to cosy couples, smart business people and Kensington locals aged thirty upwards.
Curved Seating Booths
The adjoining conservatory space is particularly tranquil. Here you have the benefit of natural light thanks to the overhead glass roof. With plenty of green plants hanging from the ceiling, it does feel as though you are on vacation. Towards the back of the conservatory, you’ll find the private dining space. There are a very long table and a private seating section. This is a great area to book for private business meetings or celebratory occasions.
Private Dining Area
They had a full refurbishment in May this year, so if you haven’t visited for a while it’s time to make a reservation!
Bombay Brasserie Information
Restaurant Entrance
Cuisine: Fine dining Indian cuisine offering eclectic Bombay dishes
Price: Starters £8-10. Vegetarian mains £9 for large dishes. Seafood mains £16-24. Chicken, lamb and game mains £16-22. Clay oven dishes £14-24 for the large size. Desserts £8-11
Website: Bombay Brasserie
Address: Courtfield Road, London SW7 4QH
Near: Opposite Gloucester Road tube station. Also near South Kensington where you’ll find the museum district and Earl’s Court tube station
Open: Check online for the current opening times
Wi-Fi: Yes
Décor: Grand and colonial
Seating: Main dining room seats 100, conservatory 84, private dining space 18 and the bar 30 guests
Reservations: Advisable, book online
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London and Taj Group. Thanks: Louise Finney. Disclosure: Our meal was free which is why this article has been labelled as an Advert.
