Bollywood on the Park

Ph: (03) 9888 7575; 156 Elgar Rd, Box Hill South 3128

Indian, $$ -, * for Ambience
Open Tues-Fri noon-2.30pm; Mon-Sat 5.30-10.30pm; Unlicensed, BYO; AE, BC, DC, MC, V, Seats inside 49, Outside seats 12

Mietta's Review
A name like Bollywood invites suspicion; is the substance so slim that it needs the bolster of bluster? Bollywood is obviously inspired by Hollywood. But owners/chefs Ranjana and Rakesh Goel have not hitched themselves to the bandwagon of glitter. Not directly anyway. They are only pandering to fans of the movie industry equivalent in cosmopolitan metro Mumbai. Bollywood in the Wattle Park Shopping Centre, is where one can dine and watch Indian movies screened non-stop. Management prides itself on home-style regional dishes. Ranjana and Rakesh take turns waiting at tables and cooking, and sitting and chatting with customers. The prawn masala had a well-rounded flavour of chilli, onions, tomatoes and red wine. The Calcutta pumpkin was ordinary. Full marks, though, for the Bombay srikhand dessert- yoghurt sweetened and laced with nutmeg and cardamom, topped with slivers of almond. This is not a cheap cafe.

Other published opinions

The Age Good Food Guide 2005 "this a theme restaurant, but relax: you won't be asked to join in the chorus. Instead, you'll eat confident renditions of northern Indian classics."

AGFG 2004 score 13/20, two courses for $25 or less, wide selection of vegetarian options

The Age Good Food Guide 2003. Score 14/20.

Age Good Food Guide 2002 - Score=14/20 - "This is Bollywood, a shrine to the immense Indian film industry as well as terrific home-style Indian food."

Cheap eat 2000, 2.5.00, epicure, 'the cheap short list', 'Most interesting decor with a twist, it beats flock wallpaper photographs of indian film stars are plastered all ove rthis hospitable restaurant. the curry's good too.'

The Sunday Age, eatstreets, Jane Faulkner & Angus Holland 30.4.00, "Owners Rakesh and Ranjana Goel are the perfect hosts and their fare is beautifully cooked and presented. Our favourites feature include naan and chicken tikka and also unusual offerings such as hyderbadi biryani:a fragrant rice and lamb dish sealed in a handi (clay pot). There's a good selection of vegetarians too. leave room for bombay srikhand-a yoghurt dessert mixed with sugar cardamom nutmeg and almond slivers.'

The Age, A2, Food & Wine, 16/8/03, Thomas Hunter,'the curries are the action sequence here.'