Taste of Bombay

This Indian eatery (which might also serve Thai, Chinese, Philippine, Italian, and/or Japanese food, depending on the season and the chefs' vacation schedules) doesn't serve Bombay's famed regional chaats (snack foods). The menu covers only the usual Northern Indian/Moglai dishes found everywhere, and à la carte prices are no bargain. A daily lunch buffet, though, is one of downtown's better lunch deals. Priced the same as a single vegetarian entrée, the all-you-can-eat spread includes six main dishes (which change daily but are always a mix of vegetable, meat, poultry, and fish) plus vegetable pakoras, salad (the standard Cuban iceberg lettuce/tomato type), clove-studded rice, two chutneys (hot mint and sweet/sour tamarind), dessert, and -- the one item not heated on a steam table -- appealingly flaky, butter-drizzled, warm nan bread. And the 10-buck tab includes a civilized setting: silverware, tablecloths, and cheerful décor that encourages chats, if not chaats.