A new restaurant in Eisenhower East hopes to share the cuisine of Mumbai with locals in the new year.
The Bombay Canteen plans to open in January at 2010 Eisenhower Avenue near Paisano’s, replacing a vacancy left by Hunan Cafe. The new eatery is the longtime dream of founder and chef Nishi Barua, who is from Bangladesh and learned to cook during her college years in India.
“She’s bringing the experience of her like, five, six years staying in Mumbai and eating in canteen during her college time in the neighborhood,” restaurant partner and Mumbai native Asad Sheikh told ALXnow. “She’s been able to experiment with her own recipes that she will incorporate with our cooks here.”
Potential menu items include bhel puri, vada pav, pani puri and curry, as well as biryani served in tiffin boxes, Sheikh said. Inspired by the bustling atmosphere of the Indian city and metro area with over 22 million people, the restaurant promises to be “a place where nostalgia meets flavor” and “where every dish brings you one step closer to the heart of Bombay,” according to a release.
“[Barua] quickly fell in love with the city’s spirit — the rhythm of Bollywood music in the background, the aroma of late-night street snacks drifting through the air, and the warmth of home-cooked meals shared with friends and neighbors,” the release reads.
The Bombay Canteen will have seating for about 45 guests indoors and 25 more on an outdoor patio, Sheikh said. The restaurant applied for a license to serve alcohol last month, state records show.
Sheikh is partnering with Barua following some 25 years in the restaurant industry, with a resume that includes Bombay Street Food at National Harbor.
A soft opening and tasting event are planned tentatively for January, although dates are yet to be announced, Sheikh said.
