On my 58th birthday, my family and I visited the Bombay Vintage restaurant located on the ground floor of the Indian Mercantile Mansions opposite the Regal Cinema. This is a new venture by a team of three experienced restaurateurs M/s Shah, Gambhir and Honaver. These three worthies are already owning the Woodside Inn located on the back-side of the same premises at the very northern end of the Wodehouse Road (Nathalal Parikh Marg). Listed on Zomato, this restaurant has seen some of the best reviews. We, therefore, decided to reserve a table and booked ourselves in for dinner.
During my phone call to them, I had informed them that we were coming there to celebrate my birthday. They wished me, one and all, very effusive birthday wishes as my family and I checked in to have our meal. The ambience of the place is distinctly vintage Mumbai. There are frames and various paraphernalia of an era that is perhaps half a century into the past - or even more. A manual typewriter sits in a window alcove on the first floor of the eatery. There is a vintage dial-up rotary telephone stuck to the wall. Also found are other similar curios that hark-back to the past.
The tables and chairs are comfortable without being elaborate or ostentatious. A ceiling AC machine that juts out from the centre of the roof looks a bit jarring and in need of some modesty as it looks down upon the diners in full view, wires and machinery and all.
At the entrance, Mr Vikas, who had taken my reservation over the phone, was the first to greet me and wish me a happy birthday.
Mr Mahesh, one of the waiters, greeted us once we were on the top floor and helped settle us into our chairs. Throughout the meal, he remained cheerful, attentive and responsive to our needs. He even offered to take our photos.
We also met Mr Deepen Kunwar, their manager. This gentleman entertained us with his stories of working in different restaurants elsewhere. He was, in the past, an overseer of a chain of restaurants that go by the Rude Lounge tag.
The meal was fantastic. We had "Prawns Sion Koliwada" and "Chicken Uruval" as starters with "Sol kadi" for an appetizer/starter. Following this, we had a main course of "Bharli Vangi" and "Chura Paratha" and "Gomantak Surmai curry" and "Red Rice". To be honest, the portions were a bit smaller than we expected, but they then did something remarkable: they served us two dessert items ON THE HOUSE. This included a very unique "Tomato Halwa" topped with an ice cream AND a "Chocolate Ganache Mousse" from their own Pantry Cafe just a stone's throw away.
Our only grouse was their "Turmeric Almond Milk soda", which the family at the next table also had. This drink lacked any distinction. However, the sol kadi was great. Hence, as a reviewer, I am willing to overlook this little issue!
After the meal, we requested to speak to their sous chef, who has previously worked at many other distinguished outlets. Mr B. Kotliwal is from Uttarakhand. He was very effusive and gave us a tip or two on the foods he had cooked.
Ambience: 5*
Service and Staff: 5*
Food and Drinks: 5*
Recommendations: Go there and stuff yourself. Almost every item is good, but I especially found their Bharli Vangi (creamy and the best aubergine/brinjal I have had), Chicken Uruval (positively enhanced by the roasted cashews) and the Tomato Halwa (yummy)delicious.
Final words: Expect the unexpected. Be nice to the staff and they will be more than welcoming to you. Chatting up with them is very entertaining and instructive.
