INDIAN cuisine has been around in the UK for more than 200 years, but it is over the last 50 or so that it has evolved to become the thriving industry it is today. Trends, styles and the dZcor of restaurants continue to develop but the real test of a good restaurant is longevity.
Here in Northampton there are a number of examples of long-established Indian restaurants – one of them being the Bombay Palace in Kingsthorpe. Since 1995 it has been owned by Abdul Ahad, who was previously at the All India in Kettering Road, and who started his career in 1978.
Over the years at Bombay Palace he has made it his top priority to deliver outstanding food cooked by experienced, well-trained chefs and served by smart, personable and friendly waiters. It’s a winning formula as the clientele now includes children and grandchildren of original customers.
Using only the highest quality ingredients, the extensive Bombay Palace menu features classic choices, an exciting range of Indian fusion dishes and the regular introduction of a number of chef’s specials to entice regular diners to break with the tradition of ordering their “usual’ meal.
All this is provided in simple fuss-free surroundings that provide diners with a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere in which to enjoy and savour their meals.
There is a sense of anticipation when viewing a new menu, so a bottle of house white and poppadoms with accompanying chutneys and onions was in order while we set about the task of making our choices.
As well as the classic tandoori, balti and biryani selections our eyes were drawn to the chef’s specialities and healthy option dishes, while the menu helpfully advises on the strength of dishes – medium, medium hot, hot and very hot.
My choice was Silsila Chicken – tender strips of chicken breast cooked in the chef’s special sauce made with mango chutney and fresh spices and served with special rice, while Anita focused on the healthy options menu, choosing Salmon Fillet Bahar – salmon marinated in the chef’s special tandoori sauce and grilled in a tandoori oven then served with boiled rice, mixed vegetables and salad.
Both received top marks for presentation, content and taste.
The restaurant was expanded three years ago to provide an additional 20 seats with the extension also affording a private dining area for up to 30 people for family parties or business occasions.
A new menu is being introduced this month and there’s a 20 per cent discount on food and drinks when dining in the restaurant from Sunday to Thursday. A takeaway service is also available, with a £3 discount on collected orders over £15, while there’s free home delivery option, again for orders over £15.
On the evidence of our visit, Bombay Palace is a popular venue. There were plenty of diners when we arrived and customers were still coming in as we prepared to depart more than two hours later.
Bombay Palace Restaurant
7-11 Welford Road
Kingsthorpe
Northampton NN2 8AE
01604 713899 or 01604 791761
www.bombaypalacerestaurant.co.uk
Opening times: 5pm-11pm Monday to Thursday
5pm-11.30pm Friday and Saturday
5pm-11pm Sunday
