Bombay Cafe Fairfax: A review

Now that we've set the context here, let's get on with the review.

I had the good fortune to be at this place two weeks ago, and what an enjoyable experience it was!

First, the employees were all happy and seemingly motivated women who clearly enjoyed what they were doing and glad to help us, but puttered around doing their own chores when we didn't need to be looked after. Which is a load off one's back because you're not there as a customer to entertain them.

This was apparently a pleasant surprise for my hosts since the last time they'd been there it was a bunch of bored annoying dudes who didn't look too happy to have customers in the house.

In my headcannon they're a collective of a dozen or so women who own the place and they decided to fire the employees because they weren't doing a great job and now are in full control of the situation. They're fully motivated and eager to expand their business, but understand that it doesn't come at the cost of customer service. They've taken training on how to best interact with patrons but will show common sense and empathy when dealing with people. Your work is never a chore if it's something you enjoy and are invested in, and they're both literally and figuratively invested in their work.

We ordered samosas for the hangout later, and a few aloo tikkis. We were hungry so we decided to have the meal in the cafe itself, they've got a few open tables. The folks were not greedy with the sauces, unlike the old employees, a generosity which was appreciated.

P and I had two samosas and an aloo tikki each. The aloo tikki had too much of chickpea flour in the filling, though the crust was perfect.

The NoVa people tell me the samosas from there are the best Samosas they've ever had in the U.S., and potentially they're truly the best samosas in this fast country of three hundred and fifty million, and I think that's a fair argument. I'm not a samosa gourmand, but they were crispy yet soft on the outside, and the filling of potatoes and peas was perfectly cooked without being too spiced. They knew how to hold the spice powders back, a skill that takes a decent amount of experience and courage.

We also ordered jeri and laddus from them, and again, top class desserts, most certainly would order again, would happily support such an establishment.

Another innovation they've got going on is they have an attached grocery store that they deliver from, and they've got it in the delivery apps as well. So you can order groceries and food all at the same time all for the cost of the regular delivery. That's not something I've seen in (m)any other places. Every other place should be following the pattern, really. Sell prepared food if you can, and if not just sell raw materials for a good margin.

Great place, hope my fanfiction of it is close to reality, highly recommend you at least try this place. The samosas and alu tikkis are good, there's no disappointment in the desserts either.