Bombay Grill
October 11th, 2006 by eleet34
3600 NM Hwy 528 (Alameda just West of Coors)
Albuquerque, NM 87114
(505) 899 - 6900
Lunch: 11:30am - 2:30pm
Dinner: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Looking for great Indian cuisine? I recommend the Bombay Grill. The taste, service, value and atmosphere quickly made this restaurant one of my favorite places to go to in this city. As an addition to the northwest area of Albuquerque, it is like a diamond in the rough of chain and mediocre restaurants.
The food here is very pronounced and flavorful as they prepare great dishes with a blend of exotic spices. 
While you look through your menu, they serve up some large bread wafers (a little hot) and three dipping sauces (look in the menu for Raita and Mango Chutney) that all have very unique flavors from sweet to spicy. To start with, you may want to try one of their appetizers. When I go I always get the Keema Samosa for $2.95, which are two crisp patties stuffed with spiced ground lamb and green peas, and tastes very good. They also have a diverse drink menu here with a good variety of imported wine and beer for India. I like to order the Mango Lassi which is a thick and traditional drink made of homemade yogurt and mango. Mango is a very common ingredient in Indian food, as you can probably tell from the menu.
On to the entrees, I think that you can’t go wrong with either the Chicken or Lamb Masala. This is such an addictive semi-sweet entrée that you wont want to put it down. I usually get this with a side of Peas Pallao (a saffron flavored Basmati rice with green peas) and Garlic Nan (a soft baked white bread patty with roasted garlic on top), both are great compliments any entree. Try this combination for yourself, I wouldn’t steer you wrong. If you don’t like it, let me have it on the comment section. If you want more of a traditional and common item, try the Curry, which is very rich sauce loaded with exotic spices to give a unique and pronounced flavor. Other entrées that are different, but also very good are the Karahi Prawns, Chicken Makhani, Saagwala. For all of you vegetarians out there, be sure to try the Mattar Paneer and Bhindi Masala. If you go with a group, its a good idea to order a few of the menu items, some rice and bread, then share and taste all of the sauces and meats together.
The service here is very disciplined, cooperative, and helpful. To start with, you may not know who your server is until halfway through your meal. This is because you are not just helped by one server, but by all of the servers as well as the manager. They all work as a team to get you drinks, answer questions and provide recommendations, and deliver your food. As you can see in the picture the glasses are not that big, but they worked as a team to make sure that my glass of water was never close to empty.
I have had good service and conversation every time I visited here, which is impressive. Also, unlike most restaurants, the servers act attentive and professional while they are in view of the customers. Now I don’t know, they could be wild and chatty in the back, but it doesn’t matter because anyone who knows how a restaurant works, knows that the importance is in the illusion of making each guest/table feel appreciated, like they are the most important one there.
The outside of the restaurant is not very impressive, a plain gray exterior with two neon signs, no view of the inside, and a two-door entrance that makes you do a double take to make sure its not the rear entrance to the building. Then you open the door (maybe into the twilight zone) and it is the opposite as you get first sight of the elegant and beautiful interior. The windows and walls are covered with drapes, there is a cascading and illuminated waterfall that divides the dining room, and a projector displays the culture and sights of India on the south wall. The tables are dressed in white linen and topped with fully prepared meal settings, a candle, and glasses filled with linen flowers. All of this is shown above, but the bottom line is that the atmosphere is very cozy and charming.
Weather you like Indian cuisine or just want to try something different (you know, step out of the box) then I would suggest you make your way to the northwest corner of Albuquerque and give the Bombay Grill a try. It has all of the elements of fine dining like great atmosphere, unique and flavorful food, great service, all for a very good price. Exactly what you would need to impress a date or business associate, especially when you pretend to know exactly what your ordering. This restaurant has made a lasting impression on me and maybe it can do the same for you too.
NOTE: This is an Entertainment Card Restaurant and they also offer a very good lunch buffet.
Taste:
[rate 9]
Service:
[rate 9]
Ambiance:
[rate 8]
Overall Reader Rating
[ratings]
