THE BOMBAY CANTEEN- Food Review

 The Bombay Canteen is the result of the collaboration of three culinary masterminds: Yash Bhanage, Sameer Seth, and Floyd Cardoz. When they decided to operate a Mumbai restaurant, they had various cuisines from which to choose. Indian food is popular, thus choosing to serve it might have been a wise choice. However, they were able to avoid the nearby Punjab Grills and Urban Tadkas by carving out a small niche for themselves. Simply told, the cuisine here honors India. It starts with local ingredients and develops them into dishes of the highest caliber that are served with a distinctive touch.

The menu is interesting and enjoyable to peruse. The cocktail menu at the bar has Indianized drinks, many of which, sadly, sound better than they taste. We sampled the Dark Monsoon, a cocktail made with Old Monk, ginger, and Angostura bitters. The fact that Old Monk has never been praised as a rum that goes well in cocktails was reaffirmed by this concoction. It was thankfully the only thing that let us down in this situation. A punch bowl that is served in a metal "Matka" is another option. According to The Bombay Canteen, the idea of the punch originated in India and was named after the practice of mixing five components to create a cocktail, or "paanch." The Canteen Punch, which includes vodka, kokum, and rose tea among other things, is worth trying and perfect for sharing. The ones served here are made overnight. The meal selection is delightful. Din bar, canteen tiffin, Chhota (appetizers), bada (main course), and Patiala are the different sections (massive dishes perfect for sharing and only served at dinner). The extensive menu is more evidence that a restaurant should be reviewed after some time has passed since it first opened. The Bombay Canteen was only open for dinner when it first opened its doors at the end of February 2015. They eventually added a small lunch menu and are now open all day with a variety of culinary options.

The Bombay Canteen does not focus on innovative methods or fine dining. It is all about honoring the familiar food and presenting it with the welcoming warmth that makes us want to eat more. An excellent location for a lunch, whether you're eating it alone, with family, or with friends.