Bombay Darbar Indian Restaurant

Husband/wife owners Danny and Nan, natives of Mumbai, are in their modest 30-seat Coconut Grove restaurant every night ? hosting and helping a friendly and efficient service staff. A comforting mom-and-pop spirit prevails at this charmer, and the fresh, light Indian cuisine is a delight. Diners crunch on crisp papadum wafers while perusing a menu that treads the usual terrain of tikkas, tandooris, and vindaloos. Brightly flavored vegetable samosas are a good start, as are some of the tandoor-baked breads ? our favorite being soft, fluffy, onion-flecked kulcha nan. Chicken tandoori is tasty, and a rich and buttery chicken makhani is even tastier. Lamb rogan josh, yellow lentil dal, biryani rice dishes ? they're all good. The short wine list doesn?t inspire with any out-of-the-ordinary choices, but the markup is double or less. Cold Kingfisher beer? Yes. Prices might seem steep for this particular ethnic food, but they are in line with competing Indian joints around town: breads $3 to $5, starters $4 to $7, most entrées $13 to $18. Perhaps more pertinent, dinner will cost less here than at restaurants serving different types of cuisine of equal caliber. You really can?t do better for Indian food around here.

• Cuisine(s): Indian

  Hours: Sun 12pm-10pm, Mon-Wed 6pm-10pm, Thu 11:30am-10pm, Fri 11:30am-11pm, Sat 12pm-11pm

  Price: $$$

• Payment Types: All Major Credit Cards

  Attire: casual

  Features: Kid Friendly, Patio/Sidewalk Dining, Private Party, Takeout, Vegetarian Friendly, Wheelchair Accessible

• Serving: Dinner, Lunch

  Reservations: Recommended

  Parking: Garage, Meters, Valet