Sweet Annapurna this is some incredible food.
My boyfriend and I had our first date over Indian food, which was also our first time having Indian food. Our relationship has been full of exploration and a million firsts. We like to explore. We travel. We walk around our own neighborhood and city and have random adventures. And we eat. Of all the new cuisines we have tried in our ten years together, I am most pleased that we were both willing to meet a stranger, for a strange meal that fateful evening. And while that date did not take place at Bombay Nights, we discovered Bombay Nights because we took that first step.
This past weekend, we were hanging out with friends and one said that they didn't really like Indian food; that it all tasted muddy. My boyfriend and I were aghast, but also sympathetic. We remember how difficult it was to find decent Indian food when we were living together in Towson. We remember ordering delivery, ordering at least three different entrees, and how they all looked and tasted exactly the same - none of it good. I think, when it's time and our friends are feeling brave, Bombay Nights is going to be the place where we take them because WOW, everything that we have ever ordered there has been mind-blowing, including last night's take away.... except that one time when my boyfriend elected spice level five- Indian spice level - and it was SOOOOO spicy that I swear steam must have come out of his ears.
Yesterday we had an all chicken extravaganza in the comfort of our own home.
- Chicken Choilla as an appetizer. This was a shot in the dark that met a bullseye. It's chicken pieces in a spice rub with some sort of fresh herb. It is delicious, but we had plenty left over because the rest of our meal was hogging the spotlight.
- Mango Chicken (White meat chicken cooked with fresh mango, onion, tomato curry, and mustard seeds). This was the first time I have had mango chicken, even though I have seen it on different menus. I love mango, but I thought it might make the dish too sweet. It doesn't. I don't know if they have a magician in the kitchen at Bombay Nights, or what, but the dish was beautifully balanced, with just enough spice to make me come back for more, and more.
- Butter Chicken (Tandoori boneless thigh meat chicken delicately spiced with Indian herbs, then cooked in buttery sauce). A classic, and my boyfriend's regular go-to. It's like ordering General Tso's from a Chinese restaurant, or Drunken Noodles from a Thai place. You know it's kinda basic, but it's so good that you can't not get it. If you're looking to introduce a friend to Indian food, recommend the butter chicken. You usually can't go wrong. Bombay Night's butter chicken is on a whole different level. This is absolutely the best I have ever tasted - it's so remarkably creamy. Dip a spoon into the sauce and lick it. That's all that it's gonna take.
- Tandoori Chicken (Chicken marinated in yogurt with mild spices, roasted in Tandoori clay oven). Ever wanted to eat like a half chicken all by yourself? Once you taste this, you will not stop. The chicken is so tender and wonderfully spiced. There's no sauce here, and throw-away veg, and it's way more money than getting a bucket of chicken and a couple sides. If you're squeamish about spending money on good food, you probably shouldn't even being considering this place. BUT if you're willing to spend a bit of money for a culinary journey, this is a sure fire winner.
One of these days we're going to dine in. I've read there's a belly dancer. That's something I haven't seen before. But either way, I'm coming back for this food. WOULD ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND read more