Feature /// Sportsman’s Dinner
The Bombay Cottage, Stamford Curry connoisseurs JT and Dean discuss the merits of post-colonial market town architecture, taste some spectacular dishes and marvel at psychic waiters Dean Even though we’re such finely honed sportsmen John, we do seem to go for more than our fair share of curries. I do wonder if they’re good for our active lifetsyles. JT Of course they are. The rice is full of carbohydrate, I think, the meat is bound to be good protein, and the onion salad with the poppadoms must count for three of our five a day. Not to mention the vitamins in the beer. Dean Fair enough. So as well as being so good for our sporting bodies, the Bombay Cottage is a great spot to go to for its top quality food. Habib seems to be there to open the door with a smile every time I come here. Is he psychic? Does he know that guests are coming in? It’s a nice touch though. JT Not sure, but he’s certainly friendly to everyone, and seems to know everyone’s names and addresses (including ours) for deliveries. That’s a good sign of repeat business. A curry house where everyone knows your name. It’s like Cheers, but with tikka masala. Dean I always use the Bombay Cottage for their excellent quality delivery service (as do most people I know), but don’t often venture that extra 100 yards from Red Lion Square to Scotgate to sit in the restaurant. It’s a pleasant place to go though, with Habib’s friendly welcome, waiters in traditional outfits, all in a nice olde English style building. An interesting cultural mix of east and west.
JT I’d have been fascinated to hear more of your discourse on the multi-cultural influences in modern Britain and the way architecture has been assimilated and adapted by Indian restaurants to reflect a sort of aesthetic polyglotism, but the poppadoms turned up, and top notch they were, too. It’s also great that you get a big bowl of onion salad. I don’t see why some curry houses scrimp when it comes to the onion salad. Lashings of the stuff suits me, and we may even get up to our five a day out of the one tub. Dean Good to see that they’ve got Kingfisher lager on tap in here, and they’re speedy with their service as well. I do enjoy a pint of Kingfisher. Are hops a fruit or a veg? JT Not sure, but I expect they’re good for you. For starter, I had the sizzling mixed kebab. It’s always a bit embarrassing when a sizzling dish comes out. It reminds me of people looking at you when your birthday cake is wheeled out when you’re a kid. Blooming nice though, albeit without candles. Dean I had a very tasty aloo chop. A bit like a fish cake, but full of herby Indian potatoes instead of fish. JT On Habib’s advice, I plumped for the rangamati chicken for my main. It’s not what I’d usually order, but it’s a fantastic dish. Habib very kindly brought us some zaflongi murug to try as well – a chicken dish served on a bed of
spinach. Absolutely divine. The food here is certainly the main attraction. Dean I agree on the zaflongi murug, and my syhlhety chicken was also cracking as well. The chef’s specials here are unique – I’ve not seen a lot of these elsewhere, and they’re all authentic and very tasty. JT To finish off, we shared some lemon sorbet. Dean You always do this to me with puddings – why do I have to share with you? I’ll say it again, it’s what couples in love do. JT I don’t love you Dean, not in that way. VERDICT Overall, we’re big fans of the Bombay Cottage. Granted it’s a slight walk out of town (about 100 yards) but there are two good pubs over the road to have a pre-meal drink, and what it may lack in location it certainly makes up for in great quality food and a superb welcome. In fairness, some prefer the Scotgate location with parking easier, so it’s swings and roundabouts I suppose. If you’ve not tried the Bombay Cottage yet, for either takeaway or a sit down meal, we recommend you do so soon. Habib will be sure to make you welcome.
The Bombay Cottage 52 Scotgate, Stamford 01780 480138
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