Bombay Bistro
 

FINALLY an Indian Restaurant that's not almost an hour away! Bombay Bistro is on 441, across the street from Walmart in the strip mall behind McDonald's up in Summerfield. A couple of minutes north of the Spanish Plaines hospital and Publix, on the left. We can't get there legally by golf cart from The Villages but it's super close.

Prices - as expected, more than you'd want to pay, but not so much that you'd never go.
Service - attentive, polite, hospitable, accommodating. They were a bit hectic since they were serving a party of 15 for an old couple's 70th Anniversary. The entire party was Indian and I overheard them talking about how they enjoyed the food.

I ordered the chicken curry, medium-hot, and the buttered naan. All the people who worked in the restaurant are Indian. My server had lived in Connecticut and knew the New Haven area well, and even lived briefly in my home town. So he understood how I missed ethnic foods. He also totally got that we in New Haven were spoiled - a meal came with papadum and chutney, and regulars were -always- given a taste of dessert for free, if we weren't wanting to order a full size.

So I got my papadum and both a tamarind and a cilantro chutney. Both were delicious. The naan was wonderful, just a tiny hint of charring on a couple of the bubbles - which is expected when it's cooked in a clay tandoor. Maybe could've used a smidge more ghee brushed on the top than it came with but that'd be nitpicking.

The rice didn't have any herbs or spices in it. I was hoping for a surprise taste of fennel or cumin seed. It was tasty enough, just not particularly impressive.

The chicken in the curry dish was tender, with big chunks that were cooked just right - not overcooked as many places tend to do. The curry itself was missing an ingredient. I'm not sure which one though. It was definitely not the same curry I'm used to. It also had a hint of sweetness. I'm guessing it was low on cumin and tumeric, and they used a young ginger instead of a mature ginger, causing the sweeter aftertaste. It was very good, once I realized that it was different than expected.

The owner came out to ask how I enjoyed my meal. I hadn't really analyzed "what" exactly was different in the curry so I only told him it was different than what I'm used to, but that I enjoyed it. He told me to wait a moment, and he brought me two chunks of butter chicken to try. I'm not a big butter chicken fan but you never EVER turn down an Indian host when they offer you food, unless you're okay with them breaking down in tears and being deeply hurt. It wasn't bad. The chicken was even more tender than the chunks in the curry and the sauce was very creamy and buttery-tasting, without being greasy. Just very rich and smooth.

The server from New Haven brought me a small bit of kheer to top off my meal. It was okay - I've had kheer in every Indian joint I've ever been to and only one of them made it the way I like it best. The one here was a bit too watery - maybe they used a lower-fat milk? It tasted good though.

The naan and curry chicken came to around $20 after tax. The papadum, chutneys, taste of buttered chicken and kheer were complimentary. No idea if they do that for all their customers or not, but these folks definitely went out of their way to try and make me feel at home. Very typical of Indian restaurants, in my experience. They always want you to feel like a welcome and beloved guest.

This was after lunch hour, before dinner hour. Service was on high-end plastic plates with silver-colored high-end plastic utensils, something that seemed odd to me. It could be that they haven't gotten their ceramics in yet, or maybe this is how they always serve earlier meals? They also had half-pint bottles of water from Sam's that they gave to all the customers, instead of filling water glasses. They've only been open a week.

So there's my review of Bombay Bistro. The next time I go I'll be trying the tandoori chicken, and have the gulab jamun for dessert.

You can legally get there in a golf cart by crossing 441 at Spruce creek and coming in the back way. That's why there is golf cart parking right in front of the restaurant.

But not "from The Villages" as I said. You can't get to the driveway at Spruce Creek and 441 without going through their gate, which is an actual security gate and not just a "push the red button" gate.

Excellent news. We went to Urban Curry a few times when it was at Spanish Springs (became Urban Grill, then closed) so we must give this one a try.

Here is a link to the menus (seems rather long - hope it works!):

Bombay Bistro The Villages - Google Search

Thanks for the review. Gotta go.

By the way they had a buffet as well, but I always prefer to order off the menu. It's less expensive overall and I get to take home the leftovers.

I think you better check the law. Golf carts cannot cross a road with 45 or over speed limit. I know it is a Federal Law (I worked in the NEV industry for several years).

Unless the road divides a single community and a particular intersection has been authorized for cart crossing and marked appropriately.

You most certainly can, as I've done it multiple times. The gate is manned and the guard lets me right through.

I think you better check the signage as it is allowed.

Thank you for posting about this new restaurant. I've been wondering if there were any Indian restaurants in our area. I'll try it today!

There are a couple up in Ocala but I've never been to them. I always go to Shiva when I'm visiting Mt. Dora. They're very good. If they were closer to home they'd be my #1.

Thank you for posting this!

Thanks so much again for posting! I just got take out from Bombay Bistro this afternoon and it was really good! I'll definitely be going back.

I live in the south part of TV so it's about 20 minute drive. Which is probably a good thing because if I lived close by I'd ruin my budget by getting take out there a couple times per week. :thumbup:

I got the palak paneer which was excellent! I also ordered the aloo matar but instead of aloo they made it matar paneer. Also, excellent.

Oh and there is an Indian grocery in Ocala with a small, very causal restaurant attached called Bombay Cafe. Small menu but also very excellent! It's fun to shop around there after placing an order.