Bengal Cafe
Among my friends, we tend to have our “fallback” restaurants, and they seem to be mostly brew pubs (Sunset Grill and Tap being our most likely suspect). When you’re trying to accommodate a wide variety of tastes and dietary restrictions, as well as a general healthy appreciation for local brews, and a large group, they make sense. I’m just the opposite, though - most of the time, dining out is an opportunity for me to try food I don’t already know about. Which is why I was delighted when my moderately rebellious suggestion of Bangladeshi food last Friday was greeted with several, “Sure, why not, novelty factor” responses, and thus, we ended up at the Bengal Cafe in North Cambridge.
Bangladeshi and Indian food are fairly similar - many items on the menu were familiar to us from ventures to other Indian restaurants in the area (Namaskar and Diva, both being right in Davis Square proper). We ordered a round of paratha - the warm, slightly crunchy flatbread went well with the spicy entrees we chose. Dishes are dense and large. I went for the Bhuna, a rich, spicy goat and onion stew, and had plenty of leftovers (which were promptly devoured by my boyfriend). So many things looked delicious, though; next time we go, I’d like to try more of the appetizers. In particular, the Fuchka (puffy flatbread stuffed with a spicy mix of beans, onions, eggs, and potatoes) and the Haleem (lentils and meat spiced with onions and ginger) sounded interesting, and I’m a big fan of desserts in any culture, so I’ve got my eye on the Sondesh (they mention cheese), Shamai (rice noodles cooked in milk; not sure if it’s more soupy like udon or thick like pudding), and Misti Doi (sweet yogurt).
For a Friday night, it was relatively quiet; I would guess this is because it’s not located right in the square. Bengal Cafe is cozy and small, seating maybe 20 people, tops - aside from another couple, the five of us were the only people in the restaurant. It’s right on Mass Ave; the 77 stops in front of the restaurant, and it’s two long blocks out of Davis Square.
Bengal Cafe, 2263 Massachusetts Ave, North Cambridge; 617.492.1944. Daily lunch buffet, 12-3; dinner nightly from 5-9:30 (5-10 FSS).
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