They say a change is as good as a holiday. So, with the recent re-opening of the brand-new Bombay Brasserie at Taj Cape Town, we were whisked away on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation as we delighted in all this mother-city institution has to offer. Spoiler alert: it’s bigger, better and way more Bombay for your buck!
Introduction
Taj Cape Town has become a welcome breakaway for me. Over the last few years, I’ve slowly been discovering all the treasures this hotel holds in its entirety. From the mysterious allure of the old bank vault event venue, to the beautiful al-fresco dining of Mint Restaurant & Terrace, to the elegant goodness of their high afternoon teas in the Lobby Lounge, to the exquisite dining adventures offered by their cornerstone restaurant, Bombay Brasserie. I never thought I’d say this, but the Taj Cape Town team has become my foodie-family; a place where I feel at home between people who appreciate the same things I do.
Earlier in the year, we were invited to dinner for one last hurrah before the curtain fell on a well-read chapter of the old, iconic Bombay Brasserie. Undergoing extensively massive renovations to both structure and menu throughout the winter months, I was (yes, we all know!) childishly excited when the invite came a few weeks ago to indulge in the newly re-opened Bombay Brasserie in all her glory.
Background
Named after the multi-cultural and cosmopolitan Indian city, Bombay Brasserie offers diverse cooking styles from all across India and adds two unique elements; authentic Cape Town flair and flavour. This results in some of the finest dishes to be served outside India.
Invariably, Indian recipes draw upon local and seasonal spices, herbs, vegetables, fruits and are regional in style and flavour. While Bombay Brasserie is strongly influenced by North Indian cuisine, Chef David and his team have devised a menu that includes all styles of Indian food in a bid to give patrons a true flavour of the rich sub-continent right in the heart of Cape Town.
Refreshed, expanded and refurbished, Bombay Brasserie transports patrons to the heart of India with-out leaving Cape Town’s inner city, offering the exceptional alchemy of fine dining fused with traditional authentic Indian design (press release).
What’s different?
The Tall Hedonist and I arrived at Taj Cape Town feeling somewhat apprehensive; we have come to love the dark, inviting dining room of the old Bombay Brasserie. We loved the statement furniture pieces and high back velvet chairs; we were comfortable in the space that we’ve photographed so many times before. I was unsure of what to expect, and of how the renovations would colour my dining experience.
We had no idea what awaited us behind the wooden doors. Taking a deep breath and a big step forward, we entered the new Bombay Brasserie, and in that exact moment, our imaginations transported us to the colourful culture of India.
The venue
My first thought as I entered this newly renovated space and allowed my eyes to adjust to the dimmed light, is that the essence of Bombay Brasserie is still there. It still feels like Bombay, but she’s just clothed in a new and contemporary dinner jacket. The space has been transformed into a light, classically modern and timeless restaurant, without losing signature touches and colours. Robed in a palette of blues, earthy neutrals and pops of warm oranges and burnt sienna’s, it is truly a beautiful sight.
As I walked down the stairs and through the dining room, I realised that they opened the kitchen into the dining room by adding in a pass window. From the dining room you can now see Chef Tilly and his team of chefs preparing your food in the kitchen, and see how easily plates move from the kitchen to the table. The pass is a subtle addition, but such a bold introduction to the restaurant. I love the opening of walls that encourages the fluidity between kitchen and table.
I also reveled in the slightly more informal approach with added banquette benches along the wall, whilst gorgeously carved dividers added a lovely touch of privacy to some tables, without blocking out the glowing ambience of the restaurant.
The biggest surprise of the night, however, was the Bombay Brasserie Bar. Occupying the stunning space previously held by the impressive The Twankey Bar, the Bombay Brasserie Bar now offers diners the treasures of India on small plates. The perfect after-work gathering spot, you can unwind with signature cocktails and a selection of delectable bites, whilst relaxing into all the luxurious offerings of Taj Cape Town.
The bar is bringing fine dining to the streets of Cape Town and encourages patrons to glimpse a peek of Taj Cape Town, even when the pressures of life make demands on their time. Sneak in for a drink after work, a cocktail before dinner, or a quick celebration of family and friends – this is definitely the place to be seen this summer.
The food
As we excitedly gathered in the swanky bar area, cocktails in hand and spirits high, Chef Tilly said a few words to welcome us to the new space. He briefly spoke through the menu, but because the proof is always in the pudding, he treated us to bite sized small plates of a selection of menu items. Soon the room was buzzing with trays of incredibly beautiful nibbles, and the bar was transformed into a lively hub of laughter, clinking glasses and mellow tunes.
My personal favourites of the night were the gorgeously spicy and sweet ostrich and raisin samosas, the semolina and potato sphere chaat (what a showstopper!), and as always, the mustard marinated broccoli florets. The Tall Hedonist was completely stuck on their truffle mushrooms and the rich, tender Karoo lamb chops. The veggie kofta curry and paneer tikka were both incredibly fragrant, warming and utterly delicious.
The new Bombay Brasserie fine dining menu still includes firm favourites, however, eight new star dishes have been added, including Baingan Bharta {clay oven smoked Aubergine crush with crumbled feta} and Tikka Masala {Charred Tikka, fenugreek, onion and tomato sauce}.
In conclusion
A massive congratulations to Taj Cape Town and the sterling Bombay Brasserie team for an incredible feat, underpinned not only by endless creativity and passion, but also by hours of hard work and focused dedication. They have managed to bring a bit of India into the heart of our mother city, where homage is paid to the culture of Indian street food, with their signature South African twist delicately woven through the menu.
The new Bombay Brasserie looks ultra-chic in her new attire, and it’s obvious from the first minute that the team is delighting in their new space. We loved our little trip around the world to experience the splendour of Bombay for the night.
Thank you Taj Cape Town and Bombay Brasserie, for inviting us to share in this momentous event and achievement.
Second photographer: The Tall Hedonist, aka Timothy P. Gibson
The Little Hedonist has made every effort to ensure that the information in this post was correct at the time of publication. However, I do not assume any liability caused by errors, such as price, menu changes, opening times, and contact details.
Disclaimer: I was invited to this event in my personal capacity as The Little Hedonist. There was no expectation for platform coverage in the form of a blog, or social media posts. This is my honest and truthful opinion and review thereof. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are solely those of The Little Hedonist, given in good faith and in no way influenced by the company or its affiliates. All images, unless otherwise stated/credited, are also my own.
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