First look: Bengal

Green pea and paneer cheese curry served as part of a daily vegetable thali of five veggie dishes with basmati rice at Bengal Modern Indian Cuisine on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami. Photo: Linda Bladholm.

 

By Sara Liss

The goods: Indian restaurants are few and far between in our tropical metropolis, so the opening of Bengal on Biscayne Blvd is an exciting development for Miami curry junkies. The Bangladeshi owners have experience in the restaurant business, having worked in Michael Schwartz's kitchen when he was at Nemo. The two-story restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows facing the busy boulevard, tables clad in white linens, wine-colored banquettes and flatscreen TVs that play Bollywood musicals.

The grub: Regional Indian cuisine with specialties from all over the map. Prices are a bit higher than your usual tandoori dive; starters are $5-$9, mains range $12-22 and extras like naan and chutney go for $2.50-$4. All meat is certified halal. For starters try the lamb kebob and vegetable samosas, lightly spiced and brimming with potatoes and peas. Vegetarians have choices like the begun bharta, eggplant sautéed with tomatoes and onions or the matar paneer made of cubes of homemade cheese in a lightly spiced sauce of green peas. The tandoori dishes are cooked in a clay oven and include lamb, fish, chicken and beef. House dishes include the Carai shrimp cooked in a creamy tomato sauce and the dhaka goat cooked in a curry sauce and served with fluffy rice.
Desserts like the homemade mango ice cream are a sweet cap to the flavorful fare.

The verdict: Ambitious Indian food hits the mainland to the delight of tandoori fiends citywide.

Bengal Restaurant, 2010 Biscayne Blvd; 305-403-1976

Published: 9/08

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Average rating based on 2 reviews.

2.5

What you said

97

cort

3

Posted on Tue, 09.30.2008 @ 22:57

Ate here tonight and really enjoyed it. The vegetarian chef's platter and nut/coconut naan were fantastic, and in my opinion plenty big portions. That, a bottle of wine and a cheese desert cost $53 and filled us up. Our waiter was extremely inexperienced, but in a cute and humorous way.... Read more

11

BritishMiami

2

Posted on Tue, 09.30.2008 @ 14:43

Indian restaurants are a large part of my business, since British people are addicted to curry! So I ate here on 9-23-08 to sample it and inform Miami's British community. The Bengal has deliciously fresh, competent food, well-presented. Ambiance and service were fine...my only complaint is the portions were rather small. The young Indian owner Mainul [who is tired of being called Manuel in too-Hispanic Miami!!], is charming and on the ball. His name is pronounced May-Nool. The setting was unusually elegant for an Indian restaurant and I would recommend the Bengal. ---Patricia Kawaja Publisher www.britishflorida.com [305] 371-9340 NOTE: All Indian restaurants in Miami are listed on that website. ... Read more

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