Bombay Bungalow Re-Invents Indian Cooking

As we entered Bombay Bungalow at The Beach mall in JBR Walk, we were transported in time to a bygone era of Mumbai’s palatial bungalows with their high-placed wooden doors and two huge green trees extending to the ceiling while cycles, birdcages, antique clocks, and wall portraits added to the beautifully quirky ambiance. Denzil Reddy, the General Manager, was very welcoming and on-hand to explain the concept: taking popular Mumbai street food and transforming it with a unique culinary twist.

deconstructed-raita-2Our mocktails included a chilled ice tea with roasted fennel and orange as well as mango lassi (buttermilk). Next, a server prepared a deconstructed raita right at the table where he skillfully added yogurt, roasted garlic, spices, and finally, gram flour balls sprinkled over with pomegranate seeds and mint to a bowl of chopped onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes. This was served with crispy sticks of papad.

pani-puriNext, the innovation with street food: the Guacamole Stuffed Pani Puri in which the standard potatoes were replaced with a healthier guacamole. With a drizzle of green chutney, this was a delightful explosion of crunchy and creamy.

20170921_194920The Sprouted Moong Chana Chat was very healthy, light, and packed with spicy flavors while my favorite: the Roti Roll Prawns were crispy, tender, and seasoned throughout.

hariyali-fish-tikkaFrom the hot starters, we sampled the Zatar Paneer with Beetroot Tahini sauce. Plated beautifully, it had the magenta of the beetroot contrasting with the muted dark colors of the paneer.

honey-chickenAlso, the Hariyali Fish tikka–tender chunks of boneless fish in green spices and then the Roasted Honey Chicken; slightly sweet tender pieces of chicken that were moist and packed with flavor.

butter-chicken-and-cheese-naanOur mains included Burrata Butter Chicken accompanied by delectable cheese naan. The chef explained burrata cheese made this healthier and gave a unique flavor. Their signature Pav Bhaji fondue was a delicious and sophisticated version of a traditional street food, served in a fondue pot to be eaten with cubes of bread and tiny potato croquets.

crab-and-coconut-riceAnd the showstopper: roasted tender crab served with coconut rice—it’s moist meat went perfectly with the coconut rice and pickles.

gulab-jamun-cheesecakeOur desserts included Gulab Jamun Cheesecake served on saffron yogurt—very chocolaty, it had a single dumpling in the center and was plated to look like a tiny garden atop edible flowers.

ras-malai-2My favorite; the Coconut Infused Ras Malai, was infused with salted caramel with hints of coconut while the kids’ favorite was the Alphonso mango kulfi, cold discs of rich mango ice-cream.

Final Verdict: This is surprisingly healthy Indian food served up in the most imaginative ways. The chef was extremely friendly as were the rest of the staff. This is a clear-cut winner and a must-try for excellent food served in the most creative ambiance.

Visit: The Beach Mall, in JBR Walk – Dubai; 800 6928779