The Bombay, Green Street Green

Wednesday 12th February 2014

I arrived at The Bombay before any of my fellow curry clubbers, so was shown to the waiting area where there was a selection of newspapers to pass the time.  There was also a large bowl of Bombay mix on a coffee table - which doubles as a fish tank.  An early indicator that this would be my sort of place!

When everyone was accounted for, we were shown through the busy restaurant to our table.  There are plants and foliage everywhere as part of their strange but brilliantly retro décor.  As we perused the menu, we munched on poppadum’s and a very wide choice of simple but tasty chutneys.  Being their midweek banquet night, we each had to choose a starter,  main course,  side dish,  rice or naan as well as coffee for a set price. The starter I went for was salmon tikka.  A hearty hunk of meaty but crumbly fish.  Full of smoky flavour, it was top-notch!

  

    

Salmon Tikka

 

The main course of choice was chicken balti vindaloo. If I see balti on a menu, I find it hard to turn down and with the vindaloo slant, it sounded like just the sort of rough and ready curry house kick I was looking for.  It was brought out in an iron pot, which balti’s often are but it actually served in the skillet, on the plate, with rice poured in.  I’d never seen this before. 

I also ordered chickpea and potato curry as a side dish but when it arrived it was actually potato and green peas.  It was lovely, with sweet garden peas though, so I was more than happy to turn a blind eye to this error!

This really is a top curry house.  Old fashioned but in the best possible way.  Great cosy atmosphere and great British Indian standards, really well done.

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MENU	The Bombay
MAIN:	Balti vindaloo is a curry house classic!	18/20
STARTERS/     SIDES:	Salmon tikka was fantastic. The unexpected green pea and potato curry was also great.	8/10
VARIETY:	A good selection including Specials and Balti dishes as well as ‘Healthy Options’	9/10
HEAT:	A really good chilli kick!	4/5
DRINKS:	Standard Range of Beer. An interesting choice including Guava juice for teetotallers.	3/5
VENUE
ATMOS:	The atmosphere is great. Unusual range of music spanning decades. Loved the jungle décor and fish tanks!	18/20
SERVICE:	On the ball, attentive and friendly	8/10
VALUE:	The Wednesday night 5 course banquet is just £12.95 per person but with drinks and the odd king prawn dish it crept up to double that amount – which is still very good value.	8/10
LOCATION:	A little off the beaten track but near a few pubs	3/5
BONUS:	No free drinks but they did top up my coffee!	2/5
	FINAL SCORE	81%

Fish Tank Coffee Table!

Booking Name: Dave Lister    

Pubs:  There are several nearby pubs including The Rose and Crown

Highlight:  The ‘Green Street Greenery’. It’s like a jungle in there.

Lowlight:  One slip-up with an order but that is splitting hairs.

Verdict:  A fantastic old-school curry house

Chicken Balti Vindaloo

The Bombay
74-76 High Street
Green Street Green
Orpington BR6 6BJ
Tel: 01689 862811, 01689 862906, 01689 856421
Email: contact@the-bombay.com