Trip to India

Tired of the same old get home from work routine of rustling up some dinner and vegging out on TV? Great, then it sounds like you're ready for a change-- so here's a little idea to turn your night inside out: Take a trip to India in your own home. Everything you need for this special night is right in Bellevue at the Regal Foods and Video store.

You begin with your visit to the store. The first impression will not hit you so much visually, but by smell. As you enter the store, your sinuses are subjected to an atom bomb's worth of curry, anise, fennel and other aromas. Relax, you'll be used to it in a minute or two.

Before you start perusing the food selection you need to snatch up the night's entertainment. Begin by going to the right side of the store and selecting a CD or cassette to play while you're preparing your meal. You can either ask for help, or close your eyes and point at any disc "pin the tail on the donkey" style. I can't imagine there are too many Indian Music experts in the area, so take a chance and experiment on your own.

Next, turn around and browse the video selection. Play pin the tail on the donkey again if you don't know much about Indian film making. Here's a few things we know: The Indian film industry turns out more films than Hollywood and turns far less of a profit than that of the California giant. Most of the films at Regal are not subtitled so you can bet you won't have a clue about what's going on. If you want a sub-titled movie ask for help. Are you one of those high tech people with a DVD player? You'll be well taken care of here because, alas, the Indian film industry has entered the DVD market and Regal has 'em.

Now you're ready for food. Regal has a few select cookbooks at the counter you can consider for some cooking ideas that will probably turn out rather tasty. The store is packed full of all the rice, flour, dried fruit, sauces, herbs, teas and fresh vegetables you'll need to make that exquisite middle eastern dish of your choice.

Say what, you're not much of a cook? That's ok, again, Regal's got you covered. Proceed to the back left hand side of the store for the biggest selection of Middle Eastern frozen foods and TV dinners this side of the Red Sea. Of course you need a little dessert and they have a few flavors of exotic ice creams.

Once home, light a a few candles, slip in your new CD, strip down to your beads and start cooking. I hope your meal is as yummy as you want it to be. Once you're done eating enjoy that video selection and send me a full report in the morning.

Owner Sadru Jessa is originally from Kenya and opened Regal Foods and Video in 1996. His clientele includes all kinds of customers and he claims to have the best selection of Indo-European foods, music and video of any store in the Puget Sound. We won't dispute this. Sadru and his staff are very nice and helpful. Our guess is you'll really have a great time putting together a special night at home with the one stop shopping at his store.

TM/May 99