Immaculate Infatuation

We recently checked out Bombay Talkie on a suggestion from a trusted food guru friend. You might have noticed that before today, there were no Indian restaurants reviewed on this site. Despite having lived in Curry Hill for a few years, we’re not exactly experts on Indian cuisine – but chances are good that you aren’t either. Somehow in a city where almost everyone you meet is a self-proclaimed “foodie” (thanks for reading), Indian seems to be a cuisine that has been left behind in the trendification (just made that up) of ethnic foods.

Enter Bombay Talkie, a place where you can go have some real deal Indian in a modern and lively setting. The menu is created from the street carts and roadside cafes found all over the Indian country side, and is definitely not the standard chicken tikka masalas and curries that you find on most Indian menus around town. That means incredible flavors and unique dishes without lots of the heavy and pungent spices that turn some people off. The space is appealing and modern, and it’s definitely a comfortable place to hang out and throw down a few drinks. Wonderful small plates, friendly service, and a really great list of specialty cocktails round out Bombay Talkie’s list of qualifications for it’s new designation – official headquarters of the Indian Trendification Movement. Now all we need is a leader. Padma?

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You know how occasionally something is brought to your attention and all of a sudden it’s everywhere? Two weeks ago, this place didn’t register at all on my radar, now, I can’t escape it. Every magazine I open, every food blog I read, every person I talk is all up in Elettaria’s business. I was hesitant at first. Indian influenced? Not my thing. I’m scared shitless of curry and Indian food in general. But I thank you Elettaria for being my gateway to Indian food.

The space is quite interesting, there’s somewhat of a medieval vibe due to exposed brick walls, wood slated ceilings, vintage artwork spattered about, and a communal feel thanks to an open kitchen in the back. Plus, the fact that Djimon Hounsou, from movies like Gladiator and Blood Diamond, waits tables here only added to that concept (yeah, I didn’t know his name until I looked it up either). Seriously though, the guy is a spitting image of him and sports an amazing French accent too. Apparently the decor, theme, and service aren’t the only things with an archaic theme; the clientele follow the same pattern. Granted, location plays a part in this, but we were at least ten to fifteen years younger than anyone else dining there. Apparently this is a hip restaurant for an older demo; a perfect place to bring the folks.

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