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MASTER CHEFS. The kitchen staff at Bombay Bistro has decades of experience preparing the finest Indian cuisine. Between the chefs’ culinary artistry and the first-class treatment you’ll get from the restaurants owners and wait staff, dining at Bombay Bistro will leave you satisfied body and soul.
Tight economic times may mean putting off that exotic vacation, but some local venues may be able to tide over the eager globetrotter in the meantime.
At Bombay Bistro, fantasy, fulfillment, fantastic food and a warm welcome await with Indian-inspired décor, aromas and flavors.
Bombay Bistro is a relatively new restaurant, having been open for 18 months. The owners, Anita and Kamal Walia, initially wanted to run a mini grocery store/cafe. After some rethinking, the Walias wanted to somehow incorporate the traditions of Indian culture and hospitality, where customers can enjoy said traditions and have a delicious meal. And thus, Bombay Bistro was born.
Bombay Bistro was a winner in Tacoma Weekly’s 2009 “Best of Tacoma” readers poll, taking the most votes for “Best Overall Restaurant.” On winning the award, Anita Walia said she is grateful because the restaurant was chosen by the people and that the business would not be successful without the customers. She was “very excited and jumping around” when she found out.
“She was dancing around the room,” said friend and customer Christine Osburn.
The restaurant provides a cultural experience where trying the food is just the tip of the learning process. For example, there are numerous pieces of art. Anita Walia said they add to the beauty of the restaurant and give customers the experience of going to India. The owners also provide customers with a quick culinary lesson. A display of spices allows customers to learn about the spices used in curries and dishes, their history and benefits.
The meals are also healthy. The food is incredibly flavorful but the main focus is balance. The recipes are based on a good balance of ingredients, which makes for an equal and healthy balance of calories and vitamins. A long list of spices help with digestion and clensing the body. And there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options on the menu.
Customers are able to satisfy their palette while also satisfying their health.
Signature dishes include tandoori mixed grill (lamb chops, tandoori chicken, malai kebab, chicken tikka, shrimp and fish) rogani gosht (lamb curry Kashmiri style) and palak pasand aap ki, a spinach dish. Deserts include naram garam gulabjamun (fried khoya dumplings stuffed with pistachios and dipped in syrup with cardamom and saffron) and kulfi chui mui (Indian ice cream with nuts and cardamom).
The restaurant has catering services and daily buffets, except on Mondays. But the restaurant is not just about the excellent cuisine, it is also about the ambiance. When dining, customers will hear soothing Indian music playing in the background and look at the array of beautiful pieces of artwork that fulfill not only the eyes, but the soul and mind.
The Walias welcome all to join their ever-expanding family, and invite the customer to travel and experience India without leaving Tacoma.
Bombay Bistro is located at 4328 Sixth Ave. Lunch hours are 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and dinner 5-9 p.m. every day. For more information, call (253) 761-9999.
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