The Bombay Havelli, Charni Road, Mumbai
It isn’t every day that you come across restaurants that have you super excited form the word go!
When the concept of The Bombay Havelli was shared with me, I simply beamed with excitement for this place truly made me realise what, as a true blue Gujarati, I crave for in a city like Mumbai (even though am born and bred here in Mumbai), specially after I return from my visits to Gujarat; something that feels like home, an environment that feels so comforting.
It’s been a month and a half since The Bombay Havelli opened doors at Charni Road and we finally ended up going there last week.
Ancient Havelli like doors that open into a beautifully done restaurant, filled with colours.
Warm welcoming staff are an added benefit!
What we ate:
Global Platter (INR 550 ++): Comprising of Parmesan Jacket Potatoes, that are baby potatoes tossed in an aioli along with some garlic (best eaten warm and cold); Beiruti Hummus, which was the good old hummus with chopped onions and tomatoes served along with some house baked Zatar Pita; Patra, a delicious snack made from colocasia leaves and a gram flour paste, rolled-steamed-fried, what made this so special was the fact that this tasted exactly like what my grandmother makes; Coconut Pattice, unlike any other that I’ve had before, this one had fresh desiccated coconut sautéed in green chutney stuffed inside a wrapping made of mashed potato; Kand Pattice, the usual; Panchmel Dal Wada, so spicy that we had a tough time eating it; Rajwadi Dhokli, which was pretty dense; and last but not the least, The Cheese Tukdi, amongst the two dishes that we will remember for a very very long time, the cheese tukdi was a deep fried bread roll stuffed with cheese, potato and spices, so good that it was drool-worthy, definitely going back for this again and again and again!
Felafel Pockets (INR 320++): Not the best, not the worst that I have ever had, but these could be worked upon; we personally found them very dry for all the hummus was at the start of the fefafel and not evenly spread.
Methi Thepla, Lasaniya Bateta ane Chhundo (INR 360++): This truly defines soul food for me, and the sight of this on the menu had me super excited. Two delicious methi theplas were accompanied by the traditional chhunda and lasaniya bateta nu shaak that had strong garlic and jeera flavours. My only disappointment for this dish was the fact that I could do with one or two more theplas to justify the portion of sabji!
Dal Khichdi (INR 330++): If there is something that is as soulful as thepla and shaak for me, then it could be just varan bhat or dal khichdi! Luckily Shweta shared a similar emotion for this dish and both of us simply pounced on this, leaving the thepla shaak aside and mind you, we have zero regrets for our actions for we thoroughly relished this dish, to such an extent that I even ended up taking another portion of this home! Steaming hot and perfectly spiced, this definitely was comfort food at its best for both of us that left us not only left us grinning, but also emotionally satisfied.
Motichoor Gulab Jamun Parfait (INR 320++): The result of the combination of three supremely delicious Indian Sweets is called the Motichoor Gulab Jamun Parfait! Gulab Jamun + Meethi Boondi + Rabri layered together give you a concoction, delicious enough to give you a high, and definitely the perfect end to a lovely meal!
We left The Bombay Havelli happy and satisfied, and also, for the first time, not heavy on the stomach; which proved the quality of ingredients used!
Definitely returning again and again for a lot more and also to make people experience what is aptly called, homely food at its best!
There are a few things that I would definitely like to share:
- The restaurant is senior citizen friendly and the disabled friendly.
- 30% of the profits are donated to an NGO. (this is printed on the menu)
- They are open to employing differently abled people and give them a chance at Independence.
- And yes, total value for money!