What was Kabob Shack in the strip center on 74 Street and Red Road is now Bollywood Masala. The new name captures the excitement of the Indian film industry in Mumbai (Bombay), Maharashtra, and “masala” is the Indian word for spice.
But to dispel the popular myth, Indian food is not overly spicey – unless you happen to like it that way. Owner Sandy Chawla will guide the uninitiated diner through the many culinary offerings at his eatery.
He offers an “Indian Food Simplified” menu: Step 1: Select the base (wrap or platter); Step 2: Choose your protein; Step 3: Pick fresh toppings; Step 4: Add your chutney.
At Bollywood Masala, you can find lamb, chicken or beef wraps or platters, curry rice, and a fabulous Mango Lassi, made with yogurt and mango. The meat on a skewer is prepared in a clay oven, called a tandoor, and only Halal meats are served.
“Try dipping this in the yogurt/cilantro sauce with tamrin,” he says to a new patron. If you like your dish with more spice, dipping cups are provided with mild, hot and extra sauces to meet your delight.
Says Chawla, “We are the first Indian fast-food establishment in Miami, offering fresh gourmet food at fast-food prices. And since we opened in June, we’ve had an over 90% of repeat customers.”
Bollywood Masala is open 10a-10p Monday through Saturday, and 11a-4p on Sunday.
From working out of her home in 2005 to opening her retail space on Red Road in SOMI, Betsy Fantis focuses on quality and style.
Growing up in the area and attending Palmetto High School, Betsy Fantis enjoys the South Florida great outdoors. Hence living outdoors became her focus, starting her Living Alfresco brand, furnishing residential patios and customizing outdoor spaces. Family members are into interior design, Betsy however, loves being outside and “it’s just one big room” to decorate.
With a business background in marketing and sales, in 2010 she moved from being at home to a studio in the Bird Road art district off. Betsy knew she wanted to be in SOMI, so when the opportunity arose, she leased space in the former Gardner’s Market on Red Road. In mid-October, she opened her 800 sq.ft. outdoor living design studio, offering middle to high-end furnishing and accessories for retail, and engaging in on location design services for her clients.
Living Alfresco
7291 Red Road | 305.668.5700
SEVEN YEARS IN THE MAKING
When developer/builder Marcelo Fernandes of Oxford Universal acquired the property on US1 in 2006, little did he imagine that it would be some seven years later that the building would come up out of the ground. What has been an empty construction site eye-soar on the highway for many years, will soon become an iconic landmark building for many to admire. Designed by Mateu Architecture Design, the ground floor will have approximately 11,000 sq.ft. of retail and the 3rd and 4th floor will have 38,000 sq.ft. office space. Interior space on the ground level is ready to accommodate a restaurant and full-service kitchen. The building will provide both underground and above ground parking, large arcades and open air spaces.
Architectural rendering5996 SOMI is being constructed of recycled materials, aluminum siding, hi-efficiency lighting, solar power in the common space areas and complete recycling in the entire building.
Why seven years? At first, construction was delayed on the project, which conformed to the “Hometown Plan” for two years as the developer wrestled with the City, residents and FDOT to satisfy neighbor concerns. Then came the real estate downturn, and subsequently the lender defaulting on the loan. For the past several years Marcelo has been negotiating with new lenders, while maintaining active city permits to keep the project
intact as designed.
The estimated market value of the project when completed next in May 2014 is $22million.
