Bombay Sitar in Jackson Township offers skillfully prepared, authentic Indian cuisine

JACKSON TWP. – Bombay Sitar, 5111 Fulton Drive NW, boasts the finest Indian cuisine, a claim my friend Mary Ann and I decided to investigate firsthand.

On a cloudy Tuesday evening, we two avid Indian cuisine enthusiasts arrived at the restaurant. Our expectations were high.

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Welcomed by our server who shyly chose not to share her name, we patiently awaited her attention as she navigated a bustling evening single-handedly. Despite the initial delay, she was helpful and friendly.

We began our culinary adventure with naan ($3.50), laacha paratha ($5.50) and saag paneer ($14.95), which is a visually unremarkable yet tantalizing dish of spiced spinach and house-made Indian cheese cubes. As we dug in and finished the paneer, our other selections were expertly prepared.

My mango lassi ($5.25), a blend of sweet mango and homemade yogurt, intrigued Mary Ann despite her initial reluctance due to its usual sweetness. However, upon tasting its smooth, creamy texture and balanced mango flavor, she relented and indulged, requesting an empty small glass so I could share.

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As our assorted platters arrived, the server playfully remarked on our ambitious order. Undeterred, we embraced the array of flavors before us, including the mixed grill ($19.95), an assortment of bone-in and boneless chicken, shrimp, shish kebab and chicken tandoori at a heat level of five, somewhere between medium and not-so-medium, aloo gobhi ($14.95), a vegetarian specialty of potatoes and cauliflower cooked in Indian spices, chicken makhana or butter chicken ($15.95), and lamb rogan josh ($18.95), spicy cubes of marinated lamb cooked in bold spices with chopped tomatoes and a creamy sauce, all accompanied by fragrant basmati rice.

Every single dish was served hot and portioned generously. The aromas were enticing. We tore our naan and laacha paratha, dipped and devoured.

The lamb, formed as a sausage, was tender and flavorful. The mixed grill platter overflowed with chicken and shrimp. There wasn’t a dish we didn’t enjoy, but my favorites were the saag paneer and the chicken makhana (butter chicken).

We ordered all but two of the dishes with medium heat, just the right amount of kick for both of us. Mary Ann, having enjoyed each dish, added to her order her favorite Indian dish, lamb biryani bahar ($18.95), basmati rice cooked with peas, spices and lamb, garnished with nuts and raisins and served with a side of raita. It was her lunch and dinner for the next two days.

During our indulgent and leisurely dinner, we never felt rushed; our server checked on us often to see if anything needed removed or boxed.

Bombay Sitar's extensive menu caters to diverse preferences, with ample vegetarian, vegan, seafood, lamb, goat, and chicken options. The server adeptly guided our spice and heat preferences, enhancing our dining experience.

While the beloved buffet option is no longer available post COVID 19, Bombay Sitar remains a culinary gem in Stark County, a testament to the area's diversity through food.

Reach Bev at bshaffer@gannett.com or 330-580-8318.

Some tips for those new to Indian cuisine

· Naan, a type of Indian flatbread baked on the sides of a tandoor oven, is wildly popular, but there are more options that are delicious. Try paratha (flaky, multi-layered buttery whole wheat bread), roti (a staple in Indian homes) or bhatura (crispy, layered fried bread).

· Fill up and vary what’s on your plate, creating a good balance of veggies, lentils, meats, rice and bread. Order and share. Indian food is meant to be enjoyed family style.

· Don’t confuse spice with heat. Indian dishes are spiced with flavor profiles that include cinnamon, cloves and cardamom, yet not all Indian dishes pack a lot of heat from cayenne, red chilies or black pepper. Ask your server to have the kitchen make your dish mild, medium or hot.

· Don’t be afraid to eat with your hands, a tradition followed in Indian communities across the world. The basic rule of thumb is to eat everything that isn’t messy or wet with your hands. Break the bread, section off a bite of rice, dip in the condiments or curries and enjoy.

· Not every dish is a curry dish. Explore the menu, pick a favorite plus try something different. Indian dishes boast bold flavors.

If you go

WHAT – Bombay Sitar

WHERE – 5111 Fulton Drive NW, Jackson Township

PHONE − 330-305-0671

WHEN – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Sunday for lunch; 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday for dinner. Closed from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Bombay Sitar a don't miss for Indian food in Jackson Twp.