I have never heard a word about this place, ever, so these reviews will be as much news to me as to you.. well, from what I can see in a quick perusal is that this place is really about the Kosher bit...
Shalom Bombay
344 Lexington Ave
(between 39th St & 40th St)
New York, NY 10016
Neighborhoods: Midtown East, Murray Hill
(212) 922-0224
(between 39th St & 40th St)
New York, NY 10016
Neighborhoods: Midtown East, Murray Hill
(212) 922-0224
- Nearest Transit Station:
-
Grand Central - 42 St (7, 7X)Grand Central - 42 St (4, 5, 6, 6X)Grand Central - 42 St (S)
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
- $$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
Arshi K. said: "I'm absolutely terrified of Indian fusion cuisine, because more often than not it's a completely hotch potch of unidentifiable flavors and dishes, and as an Indian I'm left cursing under my breath. So, I'm thrilled to report that…" read more »
54 reviews for Shalom Bombay
Review Highlights What's this?
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"...the beef dishes and carrot pudding for dessert - both were excellent." In 3 reviews -
"My friends had the chicken tikka masala and raved about it as well." In 3 reviews -
"the chana dal squash was the winner here." In 6 reviews
Rating Distribution | Trend
54 reviews in English
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Review from Steve K.
- 2 friends
4/19/2013
I had the buffet lunch here today. The food was pretty good and it was reasonably priced.
There aren't too many kosher Indian places around so Shalom Bombay was a nice treat. However, even if you don't keep kosher it is definitely worth eating here.
My favorite item at the buffet was the tandoori chicken. -
Review from Mary Z.
- 10 friends
5/24/2013
Depending on what one orders here, I can see this place being worthy of another star.
However, at least the Wednesday night I went around 7, the restaurant was very loud despite not being full. No music could be heard---even if they had it, the talking of fellow diners was just too noisy, more like a popular bar at happy hour.
But service was good. Also, the complimentary papri chat provided a welcome change from the ubiquitous dinnertime pappadoms at other Indian restaurants. The potato mixture was was redolent of cumin and came with pareve sour cream plus the requisite red and green chutneys. I savored this while sipping on my fresh coconut water which, at $5, was pricey. But the hot weather mandated electrolyte replacement AND I had a discount deal. The coconut water tasted fresh from a green coconut, not from a carton or bottle. Still, the Bollywood addict in me wished it had been served in that coconut with a straw, so I could pretend I was on a Goan beach. It was certainly hot enough in there, despite being seated under what appeared to be an AC vent.
With my discount deal, I decided to make a meal of a vegetarian and non-vegetarian appetizer. I ordered mixed tandoori kebabs and the long pakora style peppers.
That ended up being a lot of food even for me. The kebabs of different kosher meats sizzled atop onions and peppers as in most Indian restaurants. Lamb kebabs were flavorful but woefully chewy and cartilaginous. Ground meat kebab could have been spicier. However, the chicken was exquisite: all white meat, all tender and juicy.
And those long peppers appeared as three behemoths, perfectly crisp in gram flour and stuffed with potato-and-pea filling. Best of all, they were spicy and came with more red and green chutney.
Overall, Shalom Bombay seems hit or miss. Ambiance is a miss. But the chicken is definitely a hit. I hope to come back and try their chicken shakuti. -
Review from Isabella S.
- 38 friends
4/24/2013
This place was A. Hot. Mess.
And by hot I am being completely literal. Felt like Houston in August when I came here for dinner last night. Humid...stuffy...you get the picture.
Got six dishes between the six of us with samosas to start. They were dry, old-tasting, and generally unappetizing. Decided on the tofu masala and a lamb dish for my entrees. The tofu came in 3 big chunks and was pretty plain jane. The lamb tasted mushy and un-lamb-like. Disappoint.
Overall, this place was meh until we saw a COCKROACH on the ceiling. After scurrying across the ceiling it dropped onto the floor and disappeared. For the rest of the meal I sat with my feet lifted from the ground in fear of my physical and mental wellbeing. Dear god, this has never happened to me in a restaurant. One of the waiters bent over backwards trying to find the disgusting critter--bless his heart. Bruhthas, yall need to emergency engage 1800-PEST-CONTROL. Like, right now.
Service was relatively good in spite of all this, but then again I thought I came here for food, not lip service or cockroaches. -
Review from James S.
- Elite '13
- 98 friends
7/20/2013
Kosher Indian food, who's servers were Asian. Quite a mix going on here, but the food was really tasty. The buffet appears small, but it does offer a lot of options: tandoori chicken, tikka masala, beef, rice,tofu, veggie options, variety of sauces, and dessert. As someone who is not Jewish and therefore does not keep kosher, I was missing the yogurt sauce typically found at Indian restaurants. With tax and tip, it'll end up costing you around $18-$20 for the buffet. Not terrible. I will say that after eating here at 1pm yesterday, I felt insanely full for the rest of the day and did not eat again until 9am this morning. Also had something of an upset stomach, but I think that's just because I eat Indian food only once every month or so... Torn between a 3 and 4 rating, but I'll drop down to a 3 for this one. -
Review from Paul R.
- 18 friends
7/19/2013
What a disappointment. Food was bland and soggy. Won't be coming back here. Nirvana next door is better, although not amazing either. -
Review from Aki P.
- 2 friends
6/28/2013
I don't believe this..boring food in NYC? bad indian food? a bad groupon pick?
sigh, the food wasn't horrible.. just not the explosion of tastes I've learned to associate with indian food. mine was tofu, and very bland tofu at that..and my date had chicken, but he was disappointed that it wasn't more flavourful. -
Review from Donna A.
- Elite '13
- 183 friends
1/18/2013
$13.95 for an all you can eat buffet is pretty dang good. They have a good selection of eats but I've definitely been to other Indian buffets that have more variety. The selections included basmati rice, chicken tandoori, lamb shakuti, dal and some other veggie items.
The food was good but not great and the service was spotty. They were really accommodating when we got there since we were a party of 6 and it does get busy during the lunch rush. Everything was going well until our waitress told us that the tip had to be in cash. They close the restaurant between lunch and dinner and our waitress kindly kicked us out. I get it but there has to be a better way to do this.
Overall a good Kosher option though. -
Review from Pam H.
- Elite '13
- 3 friends
12/21/2012
Bindi masala (okra) and dal rajma (beans) was less than mediocre. I'm glad that I had a groupon to this place because the price was on the more expensive side for the quality of the food. The service was very slow: 15 minutes for the server to take our order, 25 minutes for our food to come, ate, then 20 minutes to get our bill and pay and get out of them. The bindi masala was alright, I've tasted better. The dal rajma on the other hand was bland, the beans were too firm and didn't blend well.
Not the best dishes. Not the best service. -
Review from Aaron S.
- 9 friends
5/10/2013
Came for dinner earlier in the week and have great reviews with one sticking point.
Tawa Chicken - AMAZING!
Chicken Achari- AMAZING!
Squash Lentils - Really good!
NAN - WORST EVER PERIOD.
I was so confused by the Nan i asked if it was just normal bread they served. But i was saddly wrong.
Absent the Nan though, everything was really delicious, especially the chicken dishes. I am not Glatt Kosher so probably wouldn't go back unless I was with someone who was because it is expensive for Indian (but not Kosher Indian...dinner for 2 was about 60 w/ no drinks). -
Review from Umesh P.
- 9 friends
11/15/2012
Had a groupon and came here with my usual foodie friend as she too had never tried Kosher Indian food ever(despite being in NYC for more than 13yrs now).
Anyways not a single tasted good and as with any Kosher place the prices are tagged atleast 5 buck extra than usual standard. The place is busy, I always feel bad when people eat and think this is some authentic cusiine (same happens to me too I guess when I am trying Italina or Brazilian etc).
Verdict - Unless you are orthodox and can't eat at non kosher indian places, AVOID -
Review from Erica M.
- Elite '13
- 6 friends
12/11/2012
Let me preface this review by stating that in my opinion it is very difficult to compare kosher v. non kosher restaurants. I always alter my expectations when I'm dining kosh, hence the 4 star review.
Although I am not kosher I have been to a lot of kosher restaurants. This is by far one of my favorites. They had a nice menu selection, staff was not rude or snobby and the prices were reasonable (for NYC kosher standards.) I got the tandoori chicken and split the bread basket with a friend. Friend had one of the veggie options. We both enjoyed our meals and had enough for lunch the next day. :)
Will I be running back next time I want Indian? Probably not. But next time I have a kosher dining companion I will 100% suggest this place.
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