Montgomery
June 22, 2011
I would not mess with that guy; he means business
Perhaps it is just me, but it is only on rare occasions when I’m in the mood for Indian food. Something about the consistency and spices make it a once in a blue moon affair. However, when that blue moon does rise, there is one place I always venture to with enthusiasm… Bombay Brazier. The outside sign reads “Finest Indian Cuisine & Bar,” and one might consider that a bit egotistical of a motto to proclaim itself “the finest” before a customer has even stepped inside the door, but after you’ve tasted the food I think your palette will agree.
The spice sauces of doom
lentil soup
On my most recent visit I admit I wasn’t particularly starved and certainly not in the mood for an appetizer, but after the entire table ordered a bowl of soup and the waitress gave me that “and what would you like?” look, well, I didn’t want to be left out of the fun. Peer pressure — it gets me every time.
I ordered a yellow lentil soup; spice level No. 6. For years I’ve hated things spicy. I never understood the appeal, how am I supposed to enjoy the flavor of the food when all sensation is burned out of me? In the past few months however a switch has turned on, and now, I lightly add red pepper flakes to almost all of my meals.
This is still such a new phase I sometimes catch myself and wonder, where did the old me go? I can’t believe I am doing this. The transformation is complete and the old me is buh-bye… or so I thought. When spicy level No. 6 arrived at the table and I tasted the first spoonful, instantaneously my mouth became red hot like a California forest fire.
In between downing water and furious bites of garlic naan to ease that oh-so-painful burning sensation I felt an inner smile erupt. Thought bubble: At least I haven’t completely gone over to the dark side, that uncontrollable side where everything must be spicy or else it is unsatisfying.
All the while, as this internal dialogue played out, I could tell I became the next running joke in the kitchen. Oh well, sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you.
Lamb Vegetables
As for the entrees, as a table we tasted a gamut of the food chain. Of the three different dishes (vegetable, chicken, and
lamb) my favorite was, by far, the lamb. The meat was succulent (period, end statement). And the flavorful veggies alongside the lamb were equally as satisfying. Mixed together with the rice it made for quite a delectable sampler. The chicken with a ginger flavoring was tasty but certainly not as mouth watering as the lamb. Add in the vegetables and I enjoyed a wonderful mush concoction, that beauteous mix of flavors and ingredients all in one contiguous consistency. This is not sarcasm, it is Indian food, and it was delicious.
I’m not sure when the blue moon will rise again. For now I’m content with its milky opaque hue, but when the wolf comes a howlin’ you know where I will be… Bombay Brazier. And this time Mr. Spicy I’m taking you down a notch.
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