The buffet costs just $4.95/lb and includes six entrees and basmati rice. Nan ($1), chutneys ($0.50) and desserts ($2) can be purchased separately. Get ready to gorge yourself on the cheap...
There is a weekly schedule for the rotating cast of entrees on the buffet. Last Tuesday, I tried all six of the entrees: Saag Paneer, Navratan Korma, Chana Masala, Mumbai Dal, Chicken Tikka Masala and Chicken Vindaloo. There are a few dishes that I can’t not order when they appear on a menu and Saag Paneer is one of them, which is why it's sayin' something that I consider the Saag Paneer here to be the best version I've had in Philly. The paneer cheese is first pan fried, giving it a nice firm texture, before being mixed with finely chopped spinach that is perfectly seasoned with just a touch of garlic and ginger and is rich enough that it's hard to believe Mumbai Bistro doesn't use ghee, the traditional clarified butter for cooking. The Navratan Korma is Indian comfort food: mixed vegetables in a mild coriander cream sauce. The Chana Masala, the standard chickpea curry, has a little heat to it and the Mumbai Dal is made with black lentils that have a nuttier flavor than the brown lentils most restaurants use. These dishes don't stray far from traditional, in short, but are a bit more interesting here. The Chicken Tikka Masala was perfectly cooked in the traditional tomato-based sauce with onions and peppers. Finally, the Chicken Vindaloo was pungent and tangy, the flavor of the vinegar nicely pronounced but not overwhelming.In addition, Mumbai Bistro is hip with the times and expressly serves vegan, lactose-free and gluten-free options everyday. All of their entrees are clearly marked for patrons with these dietary preferences and food allergies. No wonder the Prodigal Jamesister and all the other glutards on the Jefferson campus have been singing its praises...
So far, my only complaint is that they're not open on Mondays.
Mumbai Bistro
930 Locust Street
Tuesday-Sunday 11:30am-9pm
