Place: Bombay Chow Brasserie Northwood
Location: Haste Hill Golf Club, Northwood
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family)
On: Saturday, 27 April 2024
Bombay Chow has been on my list for a while, but I was saving it for a special occasion. Come MIL’s birthday in April, we finally decided to visit on a bright Saturday afternoon.
Tucked inside a golf course, Bombay Chow is a fancy, upscale restaurant with pleasant decor and well-designed interiors. The restaurant provides easy access to the course, so we noticed several patrons walking in after their game. We settled into a cozy corner, seated on a comfortable sofa.
Although Bombay Chow brands itself as Indo-Chinese, their menu leans more toward Indian cuisine. Apart from one starter, we opted for an all-Indian selection. We ordered Kung Pao Lotus Root and Charred Malai Broccoli for starters, followed by Banarasi Kofta, Dal Bukhara, and an assortment of breads: Bombay Chow Kulcha, Garlic Naan, Tandoori Roti, along with Veg Biryani to complete the meal.
While waiting for our food, the manager graciously offered us a complimentary spicy mango mocktail. It was delicious! My daughter accidentally spilled half of it, and to our surprise, they brought us a fresh one. They really didn’t have to, but it was a lovely gesture of hospitality.
The Lotus Root was served in about ten minutes, and it was absolutely perfect. The Kung Pao sauce was tangy yet not too overpowering, complementing the tender lotus root perfectly. It was a great start to our meal!
The broccoli was served soon after, and it was good as well. However, a couple of pieces were a bit dry. Thinking about it now, a little more sauce or malai would have helped this dish stand out.
The main course was served after a short while. I had read a few reviews online stating that their portion sizes are small for the price, but I beg to differ, as I found them decent.
The Banarasi Kofta was the highlight of our meal, with its creamy gravy and soft kofta balls. The gravy was rich and full of flavor, among the best I’ve had in recent times. I loved it so much that I licked the bowl at the end of our meal! Yummy!!
The Dal Bukhara was also enjoyable, creamy and smoky with a hint of garlic—just what you’d expect from a perfect dal.
Of the breads, the Kulcha was the standout: soft, paneer-stuffed, and a perfect companion to the kofta. The Garlic Naan and Tandoori Roti were good as well.
The biryani, served last, didn’t disappoint either. Loaded with vegetables, it was bursting with flavor. That said, the portion size felt a bit small considering the price.
Overall, an excellent meal. After reading so much about this place, it definitely did not disappoint. Service was really good; again, I was super impressed when they replaced the spilled complimentary drink. With perfect ambiance, it’s a great place for a nice party or even an everyday dinner. And contrary to what I thought, the place is actually easy on the pocket. I’ve already recommended this place to tons of friends and colleagues, and I think you should try it too!
P.S. I enjoyed Bombay Chow so much that we ordered their PBM, Kofta, Naan, and Biryani the following week. While the food was good, it wasn’t quite as exceptional as our dine-in experience. Hopefully, this was a one-off, and we’ll have a better experience next time.
Food: 9/10
Service: 9.5/10
Ambiance: 8.5/10
Meal for 4: £72.17
Verdict: 9/10 (Considering our takeaway experience as well)
