New Indian Restaurant Opens in Alexandria

The new eatery is a collaboration between D.C.-area restaurateur Asad Sheikh and chef Nishi Barua. For Barua, the restaurant is the realization of a 15-year dream to open a place focused on the cuisine of Mumbai, where she spent her college years developing her culinary passion. The restaurant takes over the location formerly occupied by Hunan Cafe at 2010 Eisenhower Avenue. The menu is designed as a "love letter to the streets of Bombay," focusing on the city's vibrant street food. Patrons can expect dishes like vada pav, often called the "Bombay burger," and pani puri, crispy shells filled with spiced potato and tangy mint water. The interior design complements the food, with red booths, bright pom-poms, and Bollywood art reflecting the bustling atmosphere of Mumbai. This opening marks a return to Alexandria for Asad Sheikh, who previously owned London Curry House in Cameron Station before selling it in 2017 to focus on ventures in Washington, D.C. Sheikh has a history of launching successful Indian restaurant concepts in the region, including Curry Mantra and 1947, although he has since sold his ownership in them. Sheikh is also behind the popular Bombay Street Food locations in D.C.'s Columbia Heights and Capitol Hill, as well as the fast-casual Butter Chicken Company. His approach often involves deep culinary research, such as sending chefs to India to study the origins of specific dishes to ensure authenticity. The Bombay Canteen offers a weekday lunch special featuring an unlimited platter from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The evening menu shifts to an a la carte selection of Bombay snacks and delicacies. The restaurant is open seven days a week, with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant joins a growing trend of Indian street food gaining popularity across the United States. This trend is driven by a consumer desire for more authentic, diverse, and flavorful global cuisines, moving beyond standard curry house fare.