B-

So slight that it almost evaporates while you’re watching it, but still moderately enjoyable, “Today’s Special” represents a twofer for “Daily Show” contributor Aasif Mandvi, who both stars and co-wrote the script.

Mandvi plays Samir, a sous-chef who quits his job when his boss passes him over for an expected promotion, intending to go to Paris and study fine cuisine with the best. But the heart attack of his father (Harish Patel), who owns a run-down Indian restaurant, forces him to take over the place temporarily, even though he knows nothing about preparing Indian food. Luckily he’s just met Akbar (Naseeruddin Shah), a free-spirited taxi driver who claims to be a great cook (as well as much else), and persuades him to take over in the kitchen.

What follows is sheer formula. Akbar turns out to be a genius who not only makes the place a smash with critics and customers but teaches Samir what’s really important—not just cooking Indian but discovering his cultural roots, which also leads to his reconnection with his father. And he finds romance with Carrie (Jess Weixler), an assistant from his earlier job who comes to help him in his new one. Naturally there are plenty of other colorful characters, including Samir’s wedding-obsessed mother (Madhur Jaffrey) and his eccentric buddy (Kevin Corrigan). And as one might expect of an independent comedy, technically the picture is very modest.

“Today’s Special” trades in ethnic stereotypes, of course, but it’s done affectionately. And though it goes in for too many musical montages set to Indian music, at least it avoids the big production numbers so characteristic of Bollywood movies—as well as their inflated running-times.

Oddly, the movie doesn’t manage to convey the succulence of the dishes prepared in Samir’s kitchen. But if there’s nothing really special here, it’s not unappetizing fare.