First Taste of Bombay Kitchen in South Granville

Bombay Kitchen and Bar opened a few weeks ago in the South Granville neighborhood, they specialize in Indian cuisine primarily from the Punjab region of India. The location previously housed Vij’s and their Rangoli for many years so it was destined to be another Indian restaurant.

The restaurant is owned by the Sharma family. They are currently running with a reduced occupancy inside with seating for 45 people due to the covid 19 pandemic, once the pandemic subsides their occupancy will increase to 65. They have a beautiful bar towards the rear of the restaurant offering some seating and a chance for patrons to enjoy a drink prior to being seated for dinner.

I have tried several dishes here including these appetizers the tasty Onion Bhaji which were their version of onion rings, battered, spiced and fried. The Bombay Salad came with mixed Greens, Fresh Mango, Roasted Cashew Nuts, Sesame Seeds, Dried Cranberries & homemade Mango Dressing. Both the Paneer Pakora and the Lamb Chops were delicious.

I loved the Goa Fish Curry – Alaskan cod cooked in coconut curry sauce; as well as the Tofu Tikka Masala – Tofu marinated with olive oil, ginger and garlic; slow baked in the tandoor.

I also loved the Prawn Malabar – Crisp prawn in a spicy sauce with ground red chillies, tangy tamarind, balanced with nutty aromatic fenugreek seeds; as well as the Kuku Paka Chicken – coconut chicken. A swahili specialty of boneless breast of chicken simmered in coconut milk, coriander, ginger, lemon and green chillies.

The Beef Nihari was delicious with the boneless beef, green cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black cardamom and bay leaves.

Some of the other dishes that I tried included the Lamb Kalya with boneless lamb braised in a robust aromatic curry, Tandoor Cauliflower marinated with authentic Indian spices, then grilled in the tandoor. The Channa Masala was done in a lemon masala sauce; and the popular Lamb Biryani was a great dish to share with lamb, spices and basmati rice.

Always good to have some of the different Indian breads to accompany the dishes; loved all three that I tried the Garlic Naan, the Lacha Paratha and the Peshawari Naan. Also had some Basmati steamed rice to go with the curries.

For dessert, tried a few that included the tasty Mango Cheesecake; Gajar Ka Halwa which is an  Indian pudding made with fresh carrots, milk, sugar, ghee and nuts; along with a Mango Lassi and their version of the popular Gulab Jamun, which are Pastry balls deep-fried and served in syrup that are served in slices.

Bombay Kitchen and Bar is located at 1480 West 11th Avenue in Vancouver. You can follow them on instagram @bombaykitchenandbar

By: Richard Wolak

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