Notorious for its incredibly spicy nature and alien looks, Indian food is sometimes shied away from when considering dinner. However, with the right food choices and the right movie, you can bring a great Indian themed evening into your own living room. With the combination of award winning Slumdog Millionaire and acclaimed midtown restaurant Bengal, having a fun Indian night is easy.
Slumdog Millionaire was voted as 2008’s best film of the year. Telling the tragic story of a poor Indian boy, it presents a situation in which the least likely person can accomplish the most possible. It is a perfect example of “not judging a book by its cover”. Starring Dev Patel (Airbender (in production)), and directed by Danny Boyle (28 Days Later, Sunshine), Slumdog Millionaire presents a pressing issue in a creative and engaging manner.
Indian bum Jamal Malik has just answered the second to last question on India’s version of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” However, the odds are overwhelmingly against him seeing as how someone with no education and little exposure to social life could have answered so many questions correctly – something nobody in the show’s history has done before. Thus many people believe that Jamal has cheated his way through the competition. Thus begins a long and exciting tale of Jamal’s past and how his traumatic experiences have given him the answers to the questions. Ranging from a visit from a superstar celebrity, to his mother’s murder, to his unending efforts to find his lost love, Jamal tells his story to the police investigator who has captured him in an effort to convince him that he is innocent. As the plot progresses the viewer draws closer to the present in Jamal’s story, and closer to the ever-pressing question, will Jamal be allowed to attempt the final question and possibly become one million dollars richer?
Slumdog Millionaire is a great film. It is visually appealing, has a good plot, and the acting is superb. However, it doesn’t deserve the amount of dedication that it received. While yes, it is a great film that presents an important problem in an innovative and exciting way, it is far from what I would call spectacular. Parts of it were cheesy and predictable, not to mention melodramatic. Yet I thoroughly enjoyed watching it; it is a very good movie that is not only fun to watch, but also re-watchable. However, I did not think that it was deserving of the Best Film award. Something was missing…perhaps it's food!
Bengal is a traditional Indian restaurant located at 2010 Biscayne Boulevard. Providing both take-out and delivery, it is perfect for the home movie experience. It has a friendly and efficient wait staff that is prepared to make you comfortable. Located in the midtown area, it is perfect for midtown, downtown, or Miami Beach dwellers to buy fairly inexpensive and delicious Indian food. They have an extensive menu that covers all bases of Indian cuisine. The restaurant is very appealing and peaceful, despite its location on Biscayne Boulevard (somehow no noise seems to penetrate the building). With the right choices, Bengal can definitely provide the food for your perfect Indian night.
Some of my recommendations are:
Chicken Tikka Masala ($15.95) – Chicken doused in special sauce with a side of traditional basmati rice, the Chicken Tikka Masala is an iconic Indian meal that is both delicious and satisfying at Bengal.
Lamb Rogan Josh ($16.95) – With sliced lamb in traditional sauces and herbs along with a side of basmati rice, this meal is perfect for the more experimental customers.
Note: All meals should be enjoyed with a side of traditional Naan, an Indian bread also available at Bengal.
For those fonder of spicy Indian foods, the Chicken Curry is good as well. Bengal also offers soups, salads, and vegetarian choices for those less inclined towards Indian cuisine.
The sheer suspense of the heart-wrenching tale that Slumdog Millionaire presents can only be complimented by the sharp tastes of Bengal’s Indian cuisine. The two together provide a situation which is experienced rarely – a delve into Indian culture. The only issue that might present itself is that you may finish your food early on in the movie, but that’s what delivery is for! When combined together, the exciting and inspiring story in Slumdog Millionaire, and the unique yet delicious flavors of Bengal’s recipes, create a flawless evening centered on Indian customs.
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