At Mumbay Grill in Pickering Village, the food is good and the service and ambiance is not so good.
We first came in during Google’s Map Your World Week in 2017. We were doing a Photo Walk and having a progressive lunch at different places in Pickering Village.
At Mumbay Grill, we wanted to sample the tandoori chicken.
The Service and Ambiance
There was one group table seated and another group who came in after us. The server gestured to a table.
We sat.
The server sourced some table set-ups for us from a centre round table which was stacked with linens and utensils.
He poured water for us.
We then waited. And waited. And waited.
Music played, but the most prominent noise was the crash and clang of silverware as someone sorted what must have been every utensil they had for a solid ten minutes.
We were not given any menus. The server didn’t return to ask whether we’d like the buffet. He visited the other tables. It was odd.
I finally walked to the front and picked up menus. I stood up to get his attention and when he came by, to ask him if we could order.
The Food at Mumbay Grill
He served us the chicken tandoori on a sizzling platter covered by lettuce. The menu suggested that the tandoori would come with salad and naan but this presentation of delicious chicken with wilted lettuce and slimy cooked cucumbers was a little gross.
The tandoori chicken is very good, however, and we order it regularly. We ask for the salad on the side.
The naan, cut on a diagonal into pointy long triangles, is soft inside and somewhat crispy outside, which I love. It has those hard browned bubbles that sometimes form when it’s baking, that puff up and when you touch them, collapse into crumbles.
The vegetable samosas are sold individually or as two for an appetizer. The pastry is just perfect, and the insides were mellow with potato and flavourful with some whole spices.
I am also a big fan of their mint chutney. It has a punchy flavour and is slightly spicy, more than Joe likes, but not so spicy that you can’t feel your tongue. I always order extra. Joe likes to say I drink it. I dip my tandoori chicken in mint chutney, drizzle it on my naan, and drown my samosas in it.
The mint chutney is joined by tamarind chutney when your order samosas. Tamarind chutney is a slightly sweet, thick and flavourful sauce, which just works with vegetable samosas.
I gave Mumbay Grill another chance by eating at the restaurant, but between the dinginess of the restaurant and lackuster service, I ended up deciding that I’m better off ordering their delicious foods and enjoying them at home.
You can order delivery through Skip the Dishes.
Enjoyed many times.
Mumbay Grill
619 Kingston Rd W, Ajax, ON L1S 6B3
+1 (905) 239-4077
