Thanks to the presence of a number of people I love in London, I end up in the English capital several times a year. And on every visit, I demand two things: curry and Mexican food.
When it comes to the former, while I’ve tried quite a few different spots I love, my favorite remains resolutely the Bombay.
The Bombay is the curry house one of my best friends’ husbands grew up going to with his family. It has since become a staple of my visits. In a world where it seems most restaurants are trying to update their menus to feature contemporary cuisine (not that I’m complaining!) the Bombay remains resolutely classic. And so, then, do I.
Every visit to the Bombay starts with an assortment of pickles and chutneys, as well as a silky curry sauce. We enjoy these with bottles of Kingfisher and popadoms while we peruse the menu.
Well… the others at the table peruse the menu. I’ve already decided what I want.
The world’s best vindaloo.
Vindaloo has been my standard Indian order ever since I started eating meat again at 17. I love the slightly vinegary sauce and the heat it packs – though many a waiter has taken one look at me and warned me about the spice. Here, I assure them each time, I love it: the tender chunks of lamb, the depth and caramelization the sauce takes on over what I can only imagine are hours of cooking.
To accompany the vindaloo, I always order a paratha: a buttery flatbread that might not be the best vehicle for sopping up sauce, but it makes up for its lack of absorption powers by being super flavorful and crispy.
My friend is much less constant with her orders, though she almost always chooses something with prawns. On a recent visit, however, she ordered, instead, classic chicken tikka masala. At the Bombay, the usually creamy sauce is far richer and more tomatoey, boasting warm notes of cinnamon and a pleasant, almost grainy texture that feels more substantial and coats each piece of chicken to perfection.
She opts for naan, fresh out of the tandoor, to soak up every last bit of sauce. (I help.)
While I doubt that anyone would come all the way out of London to go to the Bombay, it remains, for my money, the absolute best.
The Bombay – 74-76 High St, Green Street Green, Orpington BR6 6BJ, United Kingdom