Bombay Gardens, East Brunswick

Despite popular belief, I didn't just wake up one morning loving Indian food. I was exposed to an Indian restaurant in my home town at a young age, and it is still the best I've ever been to, hands down. While not much to look at appearance wise, I can assure you that you will feel welcomed and cared for the moment you walk in. Bombay Gardens offers a large variety of both North and South Indian fare, with over 160 dishes. This where I got my 'sea legs', and, years later, where I first introduced Matt to the cuisine.

While it's not meant to be an appetizer, I have somehow fallen into the habit of ordering the paper masala dosai as one. Obviously not to eat by myself... that would be downright insane. They dosai is easily the length of the table, and stuffed with potato, onion, peas, herbs and spices. While it typically comes with just two condiments (a brown veggie gravy and an almost sweet coconut chutney) I also always ask for the 'green and red'... the corriander (I think) chutney and the onions. The dosais outside crepe is super thin and extra crispy... think massive potato chip. Now stuff that giant potato chip with some delicious mashed up potato (not creamy, not too chunky... perfect compromise of each), soft onions and sweet peas and you have a dosai. In my eyes it's the perfect food. I honestly cannot think of a time when I have been to Bombay Gardens for dinner and NOT ordered it..... it has to be years now. It's a little spicy (especially with the addition of the sauces), downright crunchy, warm, and tasty.

On this particular visit we ordered the chicken makhni and the lamb rogan josh. The chicken was perfect... the sauce was a thick, gorgeous red and the meat itself fell apart on our forks. There was a very distinct, creamy tomato flavor that held some serious heat (not enough to keep me from eating it, but enough to announce it's presence). I sopped up a ton of this sauce with delicious bread, while Matt chose to stir it into his rice.... it's that good.... even when the chicken is gone you need to find a way to continue eating the amazing gravy thats left in the bowl. Too good. The same went for the lamb rogan josh.... the sauce was the shining star that accompanied the expertly cooked meat. There is nothing worse than over cooked lamb... it gets chewy and stringy and just bad. Luckily, this is not even remotely an issue at Bombay. Their lamb is so soft that you don't need a knife to cut it... just apply the slightest pressure from your fork. The lamb has been marinated in a yogurt sauce, and its juuuicy. The different spices in the sauce (cardamom, cloves, cumin plus several more) give it a distinctly authentic taste. The sauce is so thick it's almost like a stew, but it's in no way heavy, and it still somehow allows the flavor of the meat to shine through. I am addicted to these dishes. More please!

While I have been coming here for years (in fact, in high school, ieatdc's husband J and I had a standing monthly date here) please do not mistake my praise for nostalgia.... it has nothing to do with it. The food is just THAT good. Dad likes to say that it still surprises him how this restaurant can actually get better and better as time goes on, and he's right. The service is amazing and friendly and every dish is superb (from the samosas to the lassi, you need to try it all). We've recently discovered the mutton pepper fry (a mutton dish where the super thick onion based sauce is topped with thinly sliced, super hot peppers).. it's not to be missed. If you love Indian food I assure you that you will thank me when you try Bombay Gardens.

Bombay Gardens

http://www.bombaygardens.com/

1020 Route 18 N

East Brunswick- 08816

732 613 9001