Bengal Right on the Night
Paula Gracey rediscovers a flavoursome taste of India on Belfast’s Lisburn Road.
A Belfast Favourite Revisited
The Bengal Lisburn Road has long been a firm favourite on the Asian and Indian food scene in Belfast, but it had been a while since I last paid a visit.
So, a freezing cold February evening was the perfect time to reacquaint myself and warm up with some delicious food and spicy flavours.
I took my bestie Louise with me, as she is a self-confessed Jalfrezi junkie and therefore the perfect judge of the hot stuff.
My palate is not so tolerant of heat and spice, but I love the depth of flavours that Indian food offers, so we were coming at it from both sides of the heat spectrum.
A Warm and Stylish Setting
You will find the Bengal Lisburn Road on the Lisburn Road, near M&S.
When you go upstairs to the entrance, the noise from the busy road disappears as you enter the relaxing atmosphere.
The interior features lovely dark wood and beautiful lighting (I loved the little green lights in the ceiling). It’s very cosy.
The restaurant can seat up to 160 people, making it suitable for large parties. It can also host corporate events for up to 100 people in a private section of the restaurant — a great option for something a little different when entertaining clients.
Starting the Meal
Once seated, we were immediately brought some hot and crunchy poppadoms with three different dips to get us started while we browsed the menu.
And what a menu — so much choice!
We decided on the sharing platter to begin with, the equivalent of Indian tapas.
There were four different dishes and a dip comprising veggie options, chicken, lamb and seafood — all delicious and more than enough for the two of us.
The Main Courses
Louise went for the Chicken Jalfrezi, served with pilau rice, and chose Tandoori Salmon with boiled rice.
Of course, a delicious garlic naan bread was a must and we got stuck in.
My salmon was soft and succulent — it just melted. The flavour was amazing: intense but not overly hot, and the peppers and onions were perfectly cooked.
Louise’s Jalfrezi was judged “best in show”, with just the right balance of heat and flavour.
We both absolutely loved the naan bread too. It wasn’t as thick as some can be, but was slim, well cooked with bubbly bits and just enough garlic butter — just right.
The Perfect Ending
After all that lovely food, we had no room for dessert.
But as is often the case, there is always space for a Bailey’s coffee.
It was the perfect end to a perfect meal.
We will most definitely be back!
What to Expect
Expect to pay around £50 for two courses for two people.
If you are looking for a relaxed evening, fantastic Indian flavours and a warm, stylish atmosphere, Bengal Lisburn Road delivers a great night out.
