INVITING INDIAN
The atmosphere here is nicely comfortable, much like the food
Taj Mahal’s name might be a bit misleading for those who’ve never tried it before. Yes, it has pictures of the world’s most spectacular tomb on its walls, to go with the restaurant’s somewhat sumptuous décor. But while the interior is much better than some Indian eateries, the overall feel isn’t fancy.
It may be the casual friendliness of the staff, or possibly the long, narrow shape of the dining room, with tables lined in rows along the walls. Then again, it might be the reasonable prices on the menu, which offers a wide variety of northern Indian classics such as beef and lamb dishes, along with chicken tikka masala, tandoori chicken and sag panir, a Spanish dish, shown here.
The restaurant offers a lunch buffet on weekdays and Saturdays, but if you want a dinner buffet, better go on Sundays, the one day of the week the buffet is offered at night. And if you do go then, go early – it’s their most popular meal of the week.
TAJ MAJAL RESTAURANT
10455 N. Central Expressway (near Meadow)
214-692-0535
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Sat-Sun 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Dinner: Mon-Thurs 5:30-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5:30-10:30 p.m.; Sun 6-10 p.m.
$$, FB
on the go
Cinco de Mayo Celebration Join other families for this annual “family fun day” hosted by SMU’s Meadows Museum. A fiesta it’s bound to be, with plans for live music, dance performances, storytelling, art activities and more. Free. Sunday, May 2, 1-4 p.m. 5900 Bishop on the SMU campus. Call 214-768-2516 for information.
The Writers Studio Alice Walker, one of our generation’s most influential African-American writers, will discuss her life and career at what is sure to be a fascinating season finale for this series of author interviews. Author of the Pulitzer-prize winning novel “The Color Purple,” Walker will most certainly discuss her upbringing in the Civil Rights Movement. Sunday, May 16, 7-9 p.m. Presented by The Writer’s Garret and KERA 90.1 Recorded live for radio broadcast Theatre Three, 2800 Routh in the Quadrangle. For information, visit writersgarret.org or call 214-871-3300.
arts & entertainment
Artful Thursday Evening Thursday, May 6. 5:30 p.m., “Connoisseurship and Condition: Georges de la Tour’s ‘Saint Sebastian Tended by Irene,’” by Meadows Museum director Dr. Edmund P. Pillsbury; 6 p.m.: a public gallery tour; 6:30 p.m.: Sketching in the Galleries with artist Cynthia Padilla. Meadows Museum, 5900 Bishop. All events are free. Call 214-768-2516 for information.
Spanish Film Series Thursday, May 13, 6-8 p.m. Dr. Kevin Heffernan, professor of cinema-television at the Meadows School, presents Matador, by Pedro Almodovar. Free admission. At Meadows Museum, 5900 Bishop. Call 214-768-2516 for information.
Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse May 14, Aengus Finnan, Dulcie Taylor and Michael Troy ($12); May 21, Kimmie Rhodes ($12/$15). Closed May 7 and May 28. A smoke-free, alcohol-free venue for live music. All shows start at 8 p.m. and are $10 unless otherwise noted. Northpark Presbyterian Church, 9555 N. Central. For information, call 214-363-0044 or visit unclecalvins.org
Go, Dog, Go! Through Sunday, May 23. Friday shows at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays 1:30 p.m.; and Sundays 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Dogs of all shapes and sizes will take the stage to drive cars, ride Ferris wheels and more in this Dallas Children’s Theater adaptation of P.D. Eastman’s classic children’s book. Recommended for ages 3 and up. Tickets are $13 for children and $15 for adults. Call 214-740-051 for tickets and show times.
Library Exhibit Throughout May: Alarm Clocks, by D. Pascal. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal.
Through the Needle’s Eye Through Sunday, June 24. The Dallas Museum of Art features this small but important collection of American quilts created from the 1820s to 1945. The exhibition is part of Quilt Mania, a citywide collaboration among 11 Dallas-area cultural institutions. Tickets to the DMA are $6 for adults, $4 for senior adults and children 12 and under. Downtown Dallas, between St. Paul and Harwood, just south of Woodall Rogers Freeway. For information visit dallasmuseumofart.org or call 214-922-2100. To learn about Quilt Mania, visit quiltmania.org or call 214-979-6476.
20th Century Texas and Spanish Prints Through Sunday, August 8. This exhibition includes more than 100 prints by Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and prominent artists of the Southwest, including Otis Dozier, David Bates and Charles T. Bowling. Admission is free. At the Meadows Museum, 5900 Bishop. Call 214-768-2516 for information.
Photography Club Thursdays, 1 p.m. This class is for anyone who has ever taken photographs and wondered what they could do to get better results. Some classes include outings to local sites for picture taking. All you need is a camera, film and enthusiasm. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information, contact scane@jccdallas.com.
health & fitness
Third Annual Hearing Expo Friday and Saturday, May 14 & 15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free hearing screenings, refreshments and door prizes. Hearing Professional Center, 5462 Glen Lakes Drive. Call 214-987-4114 for information.
Jazzercise Mondays, 10-11 a.m. Dance and get fit at the same time. $10 for JCC members and $15 for non-members per session. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information, contact jcohn@jccdallas.com.
Stretching and Exercise Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9-10 a.m. Stretching low-impact group exercises with instructor Dorothy Gross. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information, contact info@jccdallas.com.
library
Library Live! Story Adventures Tuesday, May 11, 10:30 a.m. Dana Prouix creates a movement story using sound effects and mime. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.
literary
Author Signing May 1, 1 p.m. Charlotte Lanham, a short-story contributor to Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul will be on hand to sign copies of the book. Barnes & Noble Lincoln Park, 7700 W. Northwest Highway, Ste. 300.
Preston Royal Book Discussion Group Wednesday, May 19, 10:30 a.m. Join us for a lively and fun discussion of “The Quiet American” by Graham Greene. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.
Readers’ Theatre Mondays, 1 p.m. Sharon Cane leads weekly sessions reading various plays, with one or more performances planned throughout the year. No memorization required. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information, contact info@jccdallas.com.
Author Camp for Kids Tuesday, June 22-Friday, June 24, 1-2:30 p.m. Kids ages 8-12 can learn what it is like to be a published author at this free camp at Barnes & Noble. Texas authors Julie Lake, Mary Penson, Paul Martin and Nella Petrick will participate, with children receiving daily writing prompts and reading their favorite writing sample to the group on the last day of camp. RSVP by Monday, by calling 214-739-3643.
seniors
Shepherd’s Center of North Dallas Thursdays, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. This friendly group is open to men and women ages 60+, offering a wide variety of classes and activities. Bring lunch; coffee is provided. Newcomers welcome. Lover’s Lane United Methodist Church, 9200 Inwood. For information, call executive secretary Anabel at 214-350-0465.
Exercise For Older Adults Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9-10 a.m. A stretching and low-impact group exercise class for seniors, led by instructor Dorothy Glass. For information, contact aangorina@jccdallas.org.
THE TRIUMPH OF FRENCH PAINTING Ask the average person to name a famous French master painter, and they’ll probably mention Monet, Matisse or Renoir. But while the 19th century may have produced some of France’s most famous paintings, the 17th century is considered the Golden Age of French art. It’s also considered the Golden Age of Spanish art, because both countries were competing for artistic dominance at the time. Now through Sunday, July 25, the Meadows Museum offers visitors and excellent chance to see how the two countries went about it, by comparing the museum’s permanent collection of Spanish art with its new exhibit, “The Triumph of French Painting: 17th Century Masterpieces from the Museums of FRAME (French Regional and American Museum Exchange).” The exhibit features works by 34 artists, including Nicolas Poussin, Georges de la Tour, Luis Le Nain and Claude Lorrain. Admission to the exhibit is free, as is parking. The Meadows Museum is located at 5900 Bishop on the SMU campus. Call 214-768-2516 or visit meadowsmuseumdallas.org for additional information.
