Really feels like India
Going to Milon really brought back memories of India, starting before I even entered the place. Milon shares a building with two other restaurants, one on the first floor, and another just to the right of Milon at the top of the same flight of stairs. Employees of all the restaurants, which certainly may share the same kitchen for all I know, stand, saccharinely welcoming all passersby in. When I headed up the stairs to Milon, two slim, slight Indian (probably actually Bangladeshi) men identically clad in white, each holding a menu under one arm, waved me towards their competing restaurants. Their guestures were synchronized.

Stepping into Milon, I was nearly overwhelmed. The decor would be welcome in a raver's dorm room. Blinking, flashing, and pulsing strings of Christmas lights and chili-pepper lights cover the walls and ceiling like subterranean growths, bathing the narrow space in a festival-like red glow. Indian music pulses from the back. The air-conditioning is either completely off or on full blast. Right after we sat down, Milon celebrated someone's birthday by turning on the disco light and turning up the bass in a seizure-inducing celebration. The spacing between tables just isn't quite big enough; I found myself jammed against the wall the entire evening. Milon well evoked the memories of riding in one of India's death-trap, overly decorated buses.

Service was excellent and fast, and the food (our party shared the vegetarian dinner and a chicken khorma) was of very high quality. Their roti and poori were particularly good. Portions were generous and prices low.

The meal was topped off with a complimentary scoop of excellent mango ice cream and the requisite chewing nuts.

So, as long as you know what you're getting into, Milon is great. But if you're looking for privacy and quiet, please go elsewhere. Unfortunately, none of the ambiance choices are really appropriate. There's no: "Insane, wild, and wildly exotic atmosphere that's uncomfortably authentic.    [27 Oct 2000 14:35:20]

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