Perfect for: a relaxed Friday night with your friends
Thumb Plaza, 39, Lane 199, Fangdian Lu, Pudong 浦东芳甸路199弄39号
6401-3335
Food:4
Decor: 5
Service: 3.5

Mumbai Darbar provides perhaps the best Indian food outside its native land. Indeed, the austere decor seems a bit like an afterthought, because the food speaks for itself. Lunch and dinner buffets (￥42 and ￥72 respectively) offer a variety of the usual fare, from Korma to Tandoori Chicken, but for something truly out of this world order a la carte. The appetisers, Lamb Samosa (￥22) and Deep Fried Mashed Potatoes (￥28) whetted the appetite to perfection, deliciously spicy and with the minimum of grease. The Delhi Darbar Special (￥40) was a fusion of lamb and coriander in a light creamy sauce, with your choice of spice level. When all this was mopped up with the Paneer Nan (￥16), traditional Nan bread stuffed with cottage cheese, this reviewer was glad she was wearing loose-fitting trousers. But there was still room for some Malai Kulfi (￥15), Indian ice-cream made with saffron and nuts, washed down with the delicious Pineapple Lassi (￥18), a mixture of pineapple and yoghurt. The friendly service and excellent English menu were the garnish on the proverbial Rogan Josh.