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The Bombay Club

An appointment downtown allowed me to do lunch at this ritzy upscale restaurant only a block or two from the White House.  Under the Knightsbridge Restaurant Group umbrella (Rasika, Olivia, Modena, Bindaas, Oval Room, Sababa & Annabelle) this one didn't fail to disappoint.  Food was outstanding as was service.  Prices for lunch were somewhat reasonable -- I got out for under $34 with tax and tip, although I do have some problems with their pricing scheme which I will address later.  It is a quintessential DC style establishment.  There was Mozart playing as I arrived, and an interior which screams elegance from any time period from the 1950s to now.  The seating might be the most comfortable I've ever had in a restaurant.  Yes, there is a dress code, and tables are arranged (with white tablecloths, of course) in such a way to provide a sense of privacy, if not actual privacy.  During my meal a diplomatic meeting was clearly taking place at the table across from me and I may have eavesdropped just a tad to hear the back-room dealings between an administration staffer and a foreign diplomat.  For the meal I wanted something a little different so I ordered the Butternut Squash Samosas.  They were slightly sweet and a good homage to the season.  The outsides were smooth rather than flaky and they were quite petite.  They came with the standard tamarind and mint dipping sauces which were smooth as glass.  While the samosas were great the sauces didn't overwhelm.  Vegetarian dishes are listed on a separate column and Vegan entrees are specifically noted.  For a main course I again chose something new, getting the Broccoli Poriyal.  The waiter asked me if I wanted rice.  This surprised me.  Rice is almost always served along with Indian meals.  I said no as I usually eat the curries with the naan instead of rice.  The Poriyal was extremely spicy and my eyes and nose were watering a good deal.   The waiter asked me, again, if I wanted rice and this time I said yes.  What I didn't realize is that the rice is not gratis.  My meal had been a reasonable $24 with appetizer and main entree but the bread (Garlic Naan) and rice ballooned the bill.  The food was very good, the naan buttery and resplendent with garlic, but the cheapness of this upscale establishment bugged me.  Portion sizes are also small.  You will leave full but not stuffed.  I've been to cheaper places which provide not larger portions but include rice, poppadums and dipping sauces gratis.  This place also tacks on $3-5 for raitas and chutneys, which, again, should be free.  Bottom line?  It was an excellent meal and atmosphere but I still prefer Rasika, Karma Modern or even Indigo.

Upscale Indian
815 Connecticut Ave, NW
https://bombayclubdc.com/

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