Cruise To The Edge, never heard of it? You have now. Imagine a five day cruise out of Miami featuring some twenty plus, Progressive Rock acts. Three of them: Pendragon, IQ and Riverside, have featured oft in these pages, to these add Messrs. Wakeman and Hackett, and every day promises to be special. If this floats your boat, then this once in a lifetime experience beckons.
Given the Hector’s propensity of parting with his dinner on a boat/ship of any size, hopefully today’s will not be the last Curry in Florida. This afternoon Marg and Hector found themselves taking in the art deco wonder that is Miami Beach. Having arrived in Miami last night, and allowing for the ongoing five hour time difference with the UK, by 14.05 the body clock was screaming – food!
Akash Miami Beach (1435 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139 USA) was actually the second choice venue available on the sand bar which forms Miami Beach. The more accessible Bombay Bistro on the south east side was not open as Google suggested. As always I ask why business owners are not up to speed on this. And so we headed north-west to the Akash. Having dined probably a thousand times at Akash (Helensburgh, Scotland), this is a name with strong associations of quality Curry.
A couple arrived as I took the exterior photo, the only other diners in this lunchtime shift. Taking the window table in the corner, we could survey and appreciate the shining bright, art deco interior. The attentive waiters brought the menu and a bottle of much needed chilled water. To this I would add a can of my favourite ginger ale ($3.00). 28ºC in the shade, we had not been walking in the shade. Hector feels more at home in these conditions as opposed to the cold and wet of Glasgow last Saturday.
Marg, whose last Fish Curry was at the magnificent Dessi Tadka (München, Bayern), stuck with Fish and ordered Mango Curry ($22.00) – medium. As with Mainland Europe, Fish Curry costs less than its Meat equivalent.
The Hector would take advice, but a Goat Curry ($25.00) it would be. Vindaloo, or Akash Curry.
On asking the waiter if he was familiar with the term – Desi – this drew a blank. I didn’t try – Apna. It was clear that Akash Miami Beach was going to be as Mainstream as – Mainstream – can be. I was directed to Akash Curry, – Hot.
Super Hot – seemed pointless.
Can you ask Chef to make it how he cooks for his mother, or better still, how his mother cooks for him?
One tries. One can be trying.
Curry comes with Basmati, the Mainland Europe way, so no Bread was required. Just as well, Tandoori Roti ($4.00), Aberdoom prices.
The other couple appeared to have gone down the Tandoori route. Perhaps this is the safer option when visiting Mainstream Curry Houses, but then, Akash Miami Beach could turn out to be another gem. The last two Curry Houses visited in USA last year took me by surprise. But they were decidedly humble establishments, not bright and shiny. Marg prefers ambience, the Hector – Desi Curry.
When the first bowl of Rice was placed on the table, I thought – that should do us. Cue the second. We would eat way more Rice than normal, the body clock accommodated.
Akash Curry
The very definition of a – Soupy Curry – is manifested here. But if one is going to manage all this Rice, one needs copious Masala. Decanting the Meat, there was enough here to satisfy. As I have found to be the US norm, Goat Curry tends to be served on-the-bone. I believe I had made the best Curry choice at Akash Miami Beach.
The Spice Level was certainly above – medium. OK, I’ll accept it was – Hot, but not challenging, don’t need that. The Seasoning was well within acceptable parameters. Tender Meat, as well cooked as Goat can be in a Curry. Apart from the – Soupiness – positive boxes were being ticked.
But Curry is all about the Flavour, from the Masala, and hopefully the Meat also.
I feel as though I’m in Germany – I remarked to Marg. There, I have eaten, tasted, this Curry so often. The classic Euro Curry, what Chef thinks people can cope with and have therefore been programmed – to expect. This was Curry, so I’m not about to denigrate it needlessly. In the USA, the dining alternatives are typically horrendous, a Curry saves the day.
No Whole Spices, a lack of complexity in the overall Flavour. If anything was identifiable, a hint of Cinnamon, at least – no Bisto! Clove, Cumin, Cardamom were not apparent, no sign of Herbs either. I could envisage the kitchen, boxes of imported, ready-prepared Spice Mix piled high, the easy way. I could be wrong, but this was how the Hector palate was receiving this very straightforward creation.
Did I enjoy this Curry?
Damn right I did, I know what the next week holds, the avoidance of ubiquitous burgers and cheese. The culture where Pizza is considered is considered a treat. This Curry should maintain the Hector’s sanity until dry land is once again reached.
*
Mango Curry – Fish
The Hector could not help but smile. Once in a while, Marg orders the antithesis of what she knows to be proper Curry. However, her presence does permit the coverage of the bland and creamy. Was last year’s Birthday Curry in Honolulu HI not similar? And it was my choice.
Behold, a bowl of Yellow Creaminess. Ample solids were in there, they had to be fished out. Marg found that the Fish, type unknown, flaked easily thus creating a more familiar Texture. A Soupçon was sampled, the self-fulfilling prophecy. It was Marg who had to eat this Dessert Curry.
I knew this would be a sweeter dish to my usual, but fancied something different. There were some large and smaller pieces of white fish in a very yellow, mango sauce. I had asked for medium spice and there was a small kick to the dish.
I enjoyed the mango flavour and the texture of the fish made it very easy to eat with the rice. By the end of the meal I grew a little tired of the sweet flavour. On the whole, a lovely change.
Apart from the Goat Bones, both plates were cleared. The waiter asked if we wanted to box the leftover Rice. Hardly worth it.
At 15.00, the TV channel changed, 20.00 back in Blighty and here was Man City v Leicester being shown live. Not that we would be encouraged to stay and watch it, the end of the shift was nigh.
The Bill
$56.68 (£43.66) … plus the obscene American tipping system which the Canadians happily embrace.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was presented. The Curry here was hardly mentioned, instead, I made a point of reliving the pleasures of Curry Leaf (Albany NY), Shalimar of India (Burlington VT), and of course – Chili’s South Indian Cuisine (Seattle WA).
2025 Menu
