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Royal Bengal Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Indian Restaurants Pakistani Indian, Pakistani [Edit]
313 Massachusetts AveCambridge, MA 02139
(617) 491-1988
- Nearest Transit:
-
Massachusetts Ave @ Front St (1)
Massachusetts Ave @ Landsdowne St (1)
Massachusetts Ave @ Sidney St (1, 64, 70, 70A, CT1)
- Hours:
Mon 3 pm - 11:30 pm
Tue-Thu, Sun 11:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Fri-Sat 11:30 pm - 11 pm
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
37 reviews for Royal Bengal Restaurant
Review Highlights
"Great place if you order authentic Bengali food."
(in 3 reviews)
"...of malai kofta in the lunch buffet, but the delicious..."
(in 8 reviews)
"...you are not queasy about goat meat, try kasha mangsho (goat..."
(in 3 reviews)
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37 reviews in English
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Review from Maggi B.
Knox, ME
2/3/2012
We were visiting Boston for a conference - had about a 45 min to grab lunch...and found this gem on the way to another restaurant. The lunch buffet was exactly what we needed. Great food for an even better price. Perfect.
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Review from Luke T.
4/3/2011
I can't even remember what I ordered here*, but it was DAMN good. I'm sure it was some kind of paneer or dal. That's pretty much what I always get. I came in very close to their closing time and they didn't show any signs of discontent with that, although the service was a bit wanting in general.
They didn't greet me at the door, they just sort of stood back at the register and watched me until I approached them. They did, however, let me go next door to have a drink with my friends while they prepared the food. That was pretty cool considering the hour. My main complaint would be the prices. My entree was like $13, which is definitely overpriced.
* After some gentle prodding by my pal Nesh B, I checked out the menu and determined the dish I had was Sahai Paneer.Listed in: 1.2 billion people can't be…
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Review from Michael P.
Cambridge, MA
11/4/2010
Review for Dinner only!
So what do I think? My stomach and my wallet are torn in opposite directions...
The food is good; at least, the Kasha Mangsho I tried was. It's a tasty goat curry dish with a good oomph of spiciness. If you're the type that usually orders the typical curries like Chicken Tikka Masala, this dish would be a good change-up. This curry is not as rich/creamy as other curries, but it's done so in a good way. There were a couple of bones to work around, but they won't impede you from chowing down quickly on soft, yummy goat meat. I enjoyed this dish.
The price, however, was quite unreasonable! ~$15 for one small oval dish with curry, and another other with rice. They should've put in more meat with that price. The price is too steep for me to try again. (The only reason why I ordered it was because I was there for a group function and each person had a $10 subsidy.) If the price was around $6-7, this dish would be much more manageable for frequent lunch runs or casual dinners. For now, my wallet is staying away from the dinner menu, but hey, I WILL consider being here for AYCE lunch buffets =) To be continued...
Side note: 10% student discount! -
Review from Nikki B.
Cambridge, MA
1/15/2011
Hands down this is my favorite Indian food in the Boston area.
The location is convenient- halfway between Kendall and Central. We've never had to wait to get a seat and the dining area is immaculate and intimate though small.
The charges of poor customer service does shock me. Every time I've been to Royal Bengal we've been treated like gold by the staff- constantly keeping our water glasses full and asking us if we need anything.
Typically I get their garlic naan, which tastes as delicious as it smells. I've tried their lamb korma and their chicken vindaloo.. always perfectly spiced and savory. I'm a huge fan of how they prepare their rice- just slightly sticky and lots of cardamom.
I'm a big fan of kulfi and incredibly picky about it.. the kulfi here is soooo good! I have to remind myself to save room for it when I'm eating dinner! -
Review from Tall d.
Cambridge, MA
11/2/2011
The ultimate tragedy in customer service. I ordered through campusfood (2$ delivery charge + 1$ tip for $15 worth of food). One hour later, I get a call from driver asking for directions. Then he says he wants 5$ tip or else he will cancel the order. I asked him to cancel. FML.
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Review from Ligaya T.
San Francisco, CA
2/15/2008
Conundrum. On one hand I say, "No, no, no. I don't want to do it. No writing negative reviews about sweet family owned businesses." But ahhh we gotta to be true to our yelpers.
Here's the deal: I wanted to come here and smile appreciatively at the kind hostess (and owner, I presume), and mutter about how fantastic the home-style curries were, turn this way down Mass Ave to get my Indian fill instead of towards Central. But alas.
I was intrigued by the menu as it features many Bengali dishes and I've only had cuisine from the north and south regions. There was more emphasis on seafood which sounded yummy so we decided to go for the traditional specials of fish curry and banana blossoms with samosas to start.
Well, they came out in a jiffy but sitting in a pool of viscous brown oil. The waiter came by and warned us that the fish had bones but we went for it anyway. Turns out we should have paid heed to his warning. It was either itchy throat or painstaking bone diggage with little reward. The blossoms were okay, but didn't have the spice pop that I love so much about Indian food.
Maybe the buffet is where it's at, but I think I'll never know. -
Review from Shradha A.
Chicago, IL
8/16/2008
Wow is there even a way to give a 0-star!? We went here last night for dinner, during my visit to Boston. I'm from Bengal and was so excited to have Bengali food.
I had been here a few years ago and my brother and I both had upset stomachs for 2 days. But I believe in second chances. No one will believe what happened last night though. I wish I had a video camera!
We ordered alu dam, chholar daal, luchi and paneer tikka - very typical Bengali fare. The luchi (bread) dough seemed stale because it had already soured. We thought well it seems most people here order Naan (another bread) so maybe that's safer. We requested that our luchi's didn't taste very fresh, could we please have naan instead.
The waiter says - it's not my problem if you don't like the food. VERBATIM!
So we say well could we have some naan. He said he doesn't know. The guests at the table next to us leaned over and said, what does that mean!?
The waiter just walked away. My brother asked him if the manager or owner were around. The waiter says he doesn't know and if he did, he doesn't care to tell.
We were finally able to speak with the owner, who came out boiling with anger, and shouts: IF YOU DON'T LIKE MY FOOD, JUST PAY AND GET OUT OF MY RESTAURANT.
every single person in the restaurant was dumb-struck. Our jaws dropped to the floor. We even tried speaking in Bengali to try and understand what the issue was. He seemed adamant that we either eat what's already been served or leave - even though we offered to pay for the old order and the new order, to make sure he didn't think we were trying to get free food.
We actually just did pay for all our orders, the ones untouched on the table, the ones that hadn't even arrived at the table - the owner then threatened to call the cops on my brother saying he would claim my brother was drunk - we're Hindu and don't even ever drink!
I know this seems unbelievable right? This happened just last night!!! And I can't believe a restaurant like this exists. It redefines what the "hospitality industry" means. The capitalist system needs to have this place shut down! The owner thinks he's doing us a favor by serving us food, rather than respecting his customers and being thankful that they come to eat at his restaurant.
I've never ever been this disrespected in my life - and I feel helpless because I can't take any action, but then, the world has much bigger problems to solve and my time is better spent solving the diabetes epidemic in this country than thinking about an uneducated hot-headed restaurateur. -
Review from Aditya K.
Berkeley, CA
2/10/2010
Like Shrada A. (read her review), I wish there was a 0-star option. My experience was almost as horrible as hers.
* The Service / Experience *
We walk into the restaurant, and we stand at the front for a full 3 minutes waiting to be seated, even though the restaurant is empty. The two employees at the register kind of glance over and continue their conversation.
The waitress comes up to us, and right of the bat asks, for here or to go? We say for here, and sit down. She then comes to us in a few minutes and says in an annoyed tone, "I thought you said to go." She rudely props two glasses on the table and gives a exasperated sigh.
The whole time the waitress has a look on her face like she just defaulted on her house loan, was hit by a pie on the way to work, and slapped by every customer that ate there today.
Every few minutes she'd come by the table...not to fill up water, but to eavesdrop!!! Can you believe this @#$@ ? She had a look like we had just murdered her children and she was trying to find out where we had hid the bodies so then she could kill us once she got that info.
** The Food **
Terrible. If the food has been even average, I may have given 1 star. It wasn't.
Some of the most bland, uninspired trash I have ever eaten. I think I can get a better meal out of a barn trough. The potatoes were basically swimming in a curry that was water, and the cholay were served uncooked right out of the can, lukewarm and bland.
** Parting Ways **
The waitress literally throws the check on the table, without us even asking for it. I kind of wanted to get up right there and give her a piece of my mind, but I didn't want to ruin my mood for the bar we were going to next door...which by the way had been playing earsplitting music the whole time so loud the water in the glass was vibrating.
This is absolutely the worst treatment I have gotten in my life, at a restaurant or otherwise. This happened about a month ago but I didnt have the time to write. And I agree with Shradha, the free market needs to send this rathole a message.Listed in: Indian Restaurant Rankings
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Review from Ann Marie F.
Oakland, CA
8/6/2006
This is by far my favorite Indian place in Cambridge, which is saying a lot, because Cambridge is known for having excellent Indian food.
I've never had a dish I didn't love (but I'm a vegetarian so I can't vouch for the meat dishes). I highly recommend the palak paneer and malai kofta, and all of the naan choices are great. The hostess is beyond friendly, and I feel like I'm being invited into her home whenever I eat there.
The only minor annoying thing about this restaurant is the general absence of malai kofta in the lunch buffet, but the delicious spiciness of the daal dishes makes up for it. -
Review from Darius K.
Somerville, MA
4/30/2009
I just tried the lunch buffet here for the first time on the recommendation of some friends -- my office is right around the corner but I'd avoided this place because of some of the reviews here. I'm happy to say that at least as far as the lunch buffet is concerned, I like what they have to offer. They have everything you commonly see at Indian buffet (naan, yogurt raita, mint sauce, tamarind sauce, chutney, rice, chicken tikka, tandoori chicken, aloo gobi) but also some more interesting stuff that apparently gets rotated in and out. They had a very nice curry with hardboiled eggs, which is a dish I always want to try when I see them in recipe books but are kind of rare at restaurants.
Plus there's free masala tea.
I'm not sure I'd particularly recommend this over other buffets in the area but it is certainly good in its own right and a nice change of pace if you find yourself going to the same Indian buffet over and over. -
Review from Jessica R.
Somerville, MA
7/8/2005 2 photos
Royal India is now called Royal Bengal I think. vegetarian friendly Indian restaurant located between Central square and MIT.
the lunch buffet is good for MIT people and cheap. -
Review from Shane F.
Cambridge, MA
5/16/2007
The buffet selection was reasonable. The buffet signage was comparatively excellent. The staff were nice. The cardamom flavor was wicked strong (I liked this but you might not). The naan was worse than my first attempt to make naan, I at least managed to cook it all the way through. I was ill an hour after eating.
Rereading my comments it seems like I ought to be giving Royal Bengal one star but cardamom is pretty awesome and they probably don't make everybody ill all the time.Listed in: Indian Buffets of Central…
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Review from Aye M.
Mountain View, CA
6/21/2007
In Central Sq, this is the one Indian rest. I wouldn't object to going any day of the week except Mondays since they are closed on Mondays.
Well, everyone here pretty much said what I'd say. So I'm just going to mention my favorite dish there. If you are not queasy about goat meat, try kasha mangsho (goat curry). It's excellent (ask for mild or medium if you don't like spiciness.) The curry base is quite delicious and the flavors are superbly integrated.Listed in: The Places I Go Out
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Review from Jake M.
4/23/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Cheap and close (to me, from work) and hot hot hot. That's adequate for me on the Indian buffet front, especially when I can't get my lazy ass up to other better buffets further afield. Dining Companion came in one Friday to a near empty restaurant at 12:30. I wasn't sure whether to be apprehensive or relieved - the former because the dearth of customers could indicate the quality, and the latter because the restaurant is tiny tiny. Like suck in your stomach to squeeze by chairs and tables tiny.
- Which tininess was put to the full test not two minutes after we made it through the small (but HOT!) buffet and made it back to our seats, because I'm not sure if a tour bus pulled up front, but immediately the place was inundated with a massive crush of hungry hungry hipp... er, people. Line out the door numbers, people sitting on your lap type numbers (and not the type of people you want sitting your lap per se). I don't know where they put 'em, but everyone got seated, everyone got through the line, and then 15 minutes later, whoosh! they were gone, like they hadn't even been there, except for the trail of busted plates and a ransacked buffet table they left in their wake.
Order was quickly restored, tureens were refilled, I went back for seconds and was able to stretch out and luxuriate in my midafternoon sloth.
Minus points for not labeling anything at the buffet, offset by an agreeable spiciness to almost everything, some much more than you'd expect than a general lunch buffet. -
Review from Ryan L.
Boston, MA
11/14/2007
11/14/2007: Came here for dinner. Solid place. The one thing that sticks out in my mind was the fish pakoras. I think it's one of the only places I've seen have that.
UPDATE (9/2008): Now that I work in the area, I had the opportunity to try the buffet here a few weeks ago. Great selection of dishes, soups, meat, gulab jamun, etc. Tastewise, a bit standard and nothing really stood out. If the buffet wasn't $9 i'd give this place 4 stars but tastewise it wasn't really worth $9. Actually no Indian buffet should be $9 in general. It defeats the purpose of Indian buffet to charge that much. It would be akin to charging $6 for a burrito (Boloco anyone?), -
Review from Lee H.
Natick, MA
7/23/2008
One of the better lunch buffets. Foods are strongly spiced - not your typical middle-of-the-road Indian buffet. Downsides are the limited selection of foods (on the buffet) and the small dining area. Inexpensive.
If food is the focus, try this place. -
Review from Som M.
Aliso Viejo, CA
5/7/2011
I am Bengali myself and ate here while on a business trip. I went in with some trepidation after reading reviews about their service and food. However, I was very pleasantly surprised. I had the posto and kosha mangsho and they were as authentic Bengali as it would get.
Almost all the Bengali items on their menu are things that are normally part of the average Bengali's diet in India.
Only two gripes:
1. The lunch buffet had no Bengali items but the typical North Indian fare. If I wanted to eat North Indian food, I would go someplace else. I would have preferred a Bengali buffet so I could try out different things.
2. The prices are a tad high for the food and ambiance. I would say they are about 30% higher than they should be.
Service was fine. The hostess paid the right amount of attention to me during the busy lunch hour. -
Review from annie k.
Los Angeles, CA
3/12/2006
A dingy little place of questionable cleanliness. The knob to the tiny bathroom was covered in cooking oil. Several times you could hear the cook unabashedly coughing up mucus in the kitchen.
The food tastes very much like basic Indian, but if you're very familiar with Indian you can notice minor Bengalese differences--of degree, not of kind. I don't feel like the food is very refined. I didn't really enjoy anything.
Not recommended. -
Review from H. G.
Boston, MA
12/15/2009
I really wanted to like this place because the service was excellent and the prices were reasonable. But I didn't like the food. Far too much cardamom and the rice was dry.
Note: We ordered North Indian specialties (chicken korma and chicken biryaani), so it might be our fault for not getting the Bengali specialties (you know, because the place is called Royal BENGAL after all). Maybe next time, but not bloody likely... -
Review from Wendy C.
San Francisco, CA
5/14/2008
Not sure where this name came from - I know this place as Royal Bengal.
It's been a long while since I last ate here, but this was the clear winner for me for Indian food in college. And there are a *lot* of little Indian restaurants in this area. Looks wise this place is just like all the others. It might offer the standard buffet too, I don't remember. But I do remember liking their lamb dish a lot (can't be sure which one). I know very little about Indian cuisine, so I can't comment on the authenticity, but the food here is definitely tasty.
Kind of unexpectedly pricey, but still good. I preferred this place to fancier options in Harvard Sq and Boston.
edit: back to try it twice recently - and it's okay. 3.5 tops. -
Review from Jazzie F.
Boston, MA
11/9/2009
I had been looking forward to coming here for quite a while and finally made it out last Saturday and must say, what a disappointment. When my friend and I walked in it was quite empty, and the host didn't seem to pleased to seat us. After a while another couple walked in and they were sitting by the door but wanted to move because it was too cold and the lady / waitress actually made a very obvious upsetting face. It was the rudest thing I have ever experienced / observed in my life.
My friend and I ordered the following. Lamb Masala, Potato (something), Badami Naan and Mint Parantha...
First of all they gave her Gobi Naan as opposed to Badami Naan it was pretty good but I was wondering why it didn't match the "description" on the menu, and on the check I noticed that he took the wrong order. Because he didn't write it down. He asked me twice what I wanted. The potato curry thing tasted really good but that was about it. I tasted the "Masala" part of Lamb Masala and it was a bit different tasting than normal Indian food. But probably that was the only "authentic bengali" taste there was, everything else was not any different than Indian food... so I really don't get the big deal of "Begali food" I know that its supposed to be different. But, it wasn't.
Do not get the mint parantha. It was ridiculously dry and coarse and i almost choked on it. I had to drink a lot of water to have it go down my throat. Additionally, whatever I wanted to drink they didn't have (so why put it on the menu?) and the Brazliian hostess gave me major attitude for it.
I'll say it again, I really don't get the big deal about this place and prob. will not be going back. -
Review from Sar D.
Boston, MA
3/14/2011
A little bit of Bangladesh in the Boston area:
ATMOSPHERE:
Very friendly. It was mostly empty except for another group of people at the table. I think the owner, an auntie in a salwar, came to us and seated us immediately. The waitress refilled our glasses throughout extremely promptly.
We also received a free appetizer while we looked over our menus.
FOOD:
The appetizer was 2 large potato samosas and 2 deep fried vegetables, like pakoras, accompanied by a mild sauce. Everything was excellent
Then I ordered from the Bengali section. The kasha gosh ($12.95). Just like my mom makes it, but not as spicy. The meat was very, very tender set in some delicious sauce. At first I thought it was mainly sauce but when I put my spoon in I realized they put heaping amounts of goat meat in the dish. This was also served with a dish of rice.
My friend got the chingri kalaikari ($12.95). It was shrimp set in milky coconut sauce and a serving of rice. Extremely filling. She got around 7 huge shrimps. None of us were able to finish our food so it was good value since I will be having my leftovers as another meal.
CONCLUSION:
We will definitely be coming back. I think the staff has changed since a lot of re past yelpers have been to this place because everything was amazing. Authentic decorations, bangla television playing in the background. It felt homey. I hope everyone will give the place another try because I would hate to see it close. -
Review from Umang D.
Foster City, CA
10/19/2010
Okay, so I went almost a year ago (December 2009) to Boston and was remembering the good ole times a few days ago. Then I remember the most horrible restaurant experience I've ever had...at Royal Bengal.
Pretty much identical to Shradha A's review. I spent way too long getting mad at them for the TERRIBLE/RUDE/TOTALLY UNPROFESSIONAL service as well as the mediocre not-properly-cooked not-great-tasting food, but I forgot to write a review. Suffice it to say, I was shocked a restaurant that has that kind of service is in business. I would have gone into more detail but decided not to as recalling the experience makes my blood boil.
I hope the girl serving us was fired, though I have my doubts that she was the owner's daughter or something.
From the variety of higher-rated reviews on here since, it seems perhaps they have improved, but I would say if you're willing to try this, be prepared for a pretty crappy experience. If they've improved, good for them, and good for their customers. But from my experience, I wish I could give them 0 stars. -
Review from Joseph T.
Somerville, MA
6/10/2011
Okay--I never made it to the table here, so I won't write a review of the food. Yesterday I went to the Royal Bangal to meet two friends for lunch. All three of us were coming from different locations and Central Square was convenient. On their website it said they opened at 11:30 for lunch. It said the same thing on the door when I arrived at 11:40 to see it closed and dark inside. A few minutes later someone came to the door and put a sign out that said they were opening at 12:30. When I inquired, the woman said "just today". While I waited for my friends to show, three other people approached the place for lunch, they also scratched their heads. Not good business. Especially since there are several other Indian places in Central Square. We went to one of them, and none of us will return to the Royal Bengal.
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Review from Bo F.
Boston, MA
8/14/2008
2-3 more dishes for lunch buffet than Desi Dharba and Bhindi Bazaar but it came out to $9.40 (compared to $8.50 and $7.88, respectively)
Keer had too much rice and not enough cream. Best chicken tiki marsala though. -
Review from Harry C.
Santa Clara, CA
11/21/2009
Not as good as it was. The "koi" looked like trout and was smelly. We had to return it. The "luchi" was crisp instead of soft and fluffy, the lamb biryani was over cooked and the rice tastes mushy.
The "mishi doi" (sweet yogurt) was great. The service was friendly and they replaced the "koi" with carp. Though it still did not taste that fresh..
The tauker dal (lentil with raw mango) was good and covered up the poor taste of the other dishes. -
Review from Georgia Y.
Austin, TX
2/22/2006
Royal Bengal is a sadly overlooked Indian restaurant. It's highly vegetarian friendly and my only real complaint about the place is that it's so small everybody notices the cold when the door opens on a winter's night. Specializing in Bengali and North Indian dishes, I recommend making an adventurous choice - it'll be worth your while at this place. A good choice for dinner with friends, but not a romantic night out, as it is small and crowded!
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Review from Mayur K.
Astoria, NY
9/21/2010 1 Check-in Here
Great place if you order authentic Bengali food. Terrible service! So, I am cuttting a star for that...
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Review from Mina I.
Boston, MA
3/10/2008
We came for the lunch buffet after watching a Liverpool game.. They had some really unusual things that were quite tasty. I had never had a fish marsala or a goat curry but they were fun to try! I have been here for dinner and I like it - cute, hole in the wall, good for us find.
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Review from Cory Q.
Cambridge, MA
7/23/2010
Most people don't like this place as much as I do but for some reason it is my favorite place in town. I especially like the lamb saag and all of the tandori dishes.
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Review from Gail L.
Jamaica Plain, MA
5/30/2007
The best Indian/Bengali restaurant in Central Sq., Camb. Near MIT (Miracle of Science and Middlesex) $7.95 buffet til 3pm...lots of vegetarian selections...good condiments, breads and other items. Buffet is kept stocked and hot til 3pm...unlike all the other Indian buffet places in Central Sq. who let their selections get cold and dwindle after 2pm. Curries are spicy. The meat is usually 2 kinds of chicken. Staff is helpful and attentive.
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Review from Srikanth S.
San Francisco, CA
9/25/2007
You should probably only order from the "Bengali Favorites" or "Brahmin's Favorites" sections of the menu -- bengali favorites being non-veg Bengali food, Brahmin's favorites being veg. Bengali food.
Given that, I don't think I'd recommend this place to someone that doesn't eat fish. Bengali veg. food just doesn't wow me. I ordered aloo dum, a potato dish, and found this restaurant's goop to be pretty similar to Generic Indian Restaurant Goop. I am curious to go back to try the Banana Blossom curry, though.
I was also a little disappointed by the lack of variety on the dessert menu. Bengali cooks are known for their sweets, and while there are some hard-to-find items here, there are also some glaring omissions (ras gullah, ras malai, two unique milky sweets).
Still, as solidarity requires, two stars. -
Review from Mabel C.
Berkeley, CA
12/6/2008
I went here for a lunch buffet today (Saturday). Some of the dishes were great (the fish masala and the yellow lentils), while others were not so good (the fried stuff and naan did not taste fresh - specifically, the naan was not fluffy). The rice pudding tasted good, while the other dessert, some type of white sugar dough ball, tasted like it came straight from a can. My friend who is Indian told me that the white sugar dough balls should have had better texture and flavor (she had them in India).
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Review from Sutanuka L.
Cambridge, MA
3/29/2009
I have been buying food the last two years and it is good as ever.
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Review from Bill K.
New York, NY
4/17/2006
hm, others seem have experienced some sketchiness here, but it's been nothing but good times for me. the food has always been good and affordable. i will have to return and then write a more quality review.
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Review from luosha c.
Cambridge, MA
5/10/2010
okay, i haven't been here in a while, but after reading the terrible reviews, i have to stand up for this place. sure there are some not-so-great dishes, but that's true at most places. just trust me, the stuff that's good here is *really* really good.
service: the owners and waitstaff have never been anything but sweet and friendly. water gets refilled quickly.
food: can't speak for the buffet (except that the cauliflower is good and so are the pakoras) -- and the fish dishes are decidedly fishy.
BUT at dinner they have a creamy shrimp special with .. saffron? maybe? that is out of this world. chingrir malaikairi, i think, in the bengalese menu. get that. other deliciousness: the garlic naan hot out of the oven, the parathas, the chicken tikka masala, and the eggplant, which is super smoky and interesting. oh, and you get a GIANT bowl of rice pudding full of condensed milk goodness where other places give you a tiny dish. you know. in case you're not sure when you'll ever eat again.
price: as good or better than nearby places. especially the hungry man specials. students get discount with cash.
seriously. try this place. -
Review from Vanessa K.
Cambridge, MA
5/20/2008
Ok maybe, just maybe the kitchen staff at Royal Bengal was having an off-day, the day I decided to go. We wanted to have a good-bye dinner for our friend who was leaving to go visit home in Bombay and someone in our party recommended this restaurant. I'm not exactly sure what some of the other people ordered, but two of my girl friends and I decided to split the lamb masala and the aloo gobhi. The lamb masala was decent, but something was just wrong with the aloo gobhi. At first, I thought it was just me and that I didn't know the difference between good and bad Indian food. But everyone else at the table tasted it (out of our party of nine, seven were born and raised in India), and dubbed it inedible. We ended up sending two dishes back to the kitchen because they were just plain nasty. The only positive thing about that night was the yogurt lassi. That helped me wash everything else down.
