Learning of Cardoz’s personal connections to Bombay and Goa, India, Moran sought to pay homage to his roots by weaving elements of Indian history, art and culture — both traditional and modern — throughout the restaurant.

As she searched for ways to revitalize the space, she came across young Indian artists who are presenting their culture in modern and artistic ways and decided The Bombay Bread Bar would be a great platform for their energy.

One such artist was Toronto-based South Asian pop artist Maria Qamar, who has a wide Instagram following for her work. Qamar was commissioned to create a mural, her first in New York City, on the back wall of The Bombay Bread Bar.

Portraits of men with animal heads dressed in suits, based on 19th century Indian social calling cards, were printed on aluminum and hung in the dining room.

The dining room is also covered with custom lotus flower wallpaper, which Moran designed using an image of a vintage wall painting in India.

A portrait of Shah Jahan, the emperor who commissioned the construction of the Taj Mahal, is also featured in the dining room.

Another design element displayed at The Bombay Bread Bar is a wall papered with colorful prints of vintage Indian matchboxes, an idea from Moran that Cardoz loved because it reminded him of his youth.

A Bengal tiger, an animal native to India, is painted over the wood-fire oven in the open kitchen of the restaurant. The tiger’s teeth are made up of the oven’s bricks.

As a tie-in to Cardoz’s childhood memories of restaurants in India, Moran placed oilcloth table coverings — printed in plaid, red and white stripes, mandarin oranges and blue sparkles — throughout the space, adding a pop of extra color and fun for diners to enjoy.

The vibrant design of The Bombay Bread Bar pairs with its flavorful food such as, from left to right, Bombay bhelpuri, made with puffed rice, vegetables and tamarind sauce, short rib nihari, or stew, Bengali roasted baby carrot salad and saag paneer pizza.

The reimagined restaurant also serves cocktails, wine and beer that complement the spice-infused cooking.

A special treat available for dessert is the stuffed pistachio cream gulab donut.