The Maharaja Set To Open In Harvard Square

'Royal Indian Cuisine' Arrives in Cambridge -- with a View to Rival the Best in the City


Three longtime friends from India, Executive Chef Rohit Talwar, Sajal Latka and Aman Thakur, have partnered up to open The Maharaja restaurant in the heart of Harvard Square.

The Maharaja will introduce the greater Boston area to "Royal Indian Cuisine" as the trio refer to it, in a stunning setting through a menu featuring recipes they have all individually gathered from family members and native chefs during their upbringing and travels throughout India. The Maharaja translates to the "King of Kings" and is set to open in March 2011.

The Maharaja partners who met in school, all reconnected at London's well known Madhu's. The trio later came to New England and have opened the award-winning India Palace restaurants in Manchester and Nashua (NH), and Chelmsford (MA). With the opening of The Maharaja, they are able to showcase a culmination of their growth, combined talent and restaurant experience. The Maharaja sits on the second floor on the corner of JFK and Winthrop Streets --- with floor to ceiling windows overlooking a beautiful park in bustling Harvard Square.

THE MENU
Executive Chef Rohit Talwar has created a menu that is a showcase of authentic royal Indian cuisine, with recipes compiled over the course of three generations. Royal Indian cuisine is characterized by the use of various spices, herbs and an assortment of fruits and vegetables grown in India, it is a cuisine that highlights the best of what India has to offer.


The Maharaja's menu offers an array of appetizers and entrees broken down into several categories including Soups, Samosa, Pakora, Chaat, Kebab and traditional gourmet Indian dishes. Some of the soon-to-be favorites from the menu include Samosas filled with cauliflower, paneer and cashews, Tandoori Fruit and Vegetable Chaat, Jeera Scallops flavored with with royal cumin seeds and saffron, Tandoori Lobster, Chicken Tikka Masala, Maharaja Dal Makhani, Hara Bhara Kebab, Galouti Kebab, Adraki Champ a tender rack of lamb, Tandoori Raan a roasted boneless leg of lamb, Murgh Wajid Ali a Nawabi delicacy of chicken breasts stuffed with paneer and nuts, then simmered in a creamy saffron sauce, Patrani Machi tilapia coated with coconut and spices wrapped in a banana leaf (seasonal) and steamed, Khatta Dhuandar Gosht a house specialty of lamb and ground lamb smoked and cooked with pomegranate seeds and served in a piquant sauce.

The Maharaja also offers a fantastic lunch special that includes your choice of entree served with an appetizer of the day (vegetarian or non-vegetarian), soup or salad, dal of the day, vegetable of the day, naan and rice all for $8.95 - $13.95 depending on the entree --- available in house or as a lunch box to go.

THE SPACE
The space is inspired by the great palaces in the cities of Jaipur and Jodhpur, in the state of Rajasthan, where royalty still exists in an almost fairytale-like fashion.

Sajal and his team traveled throughout Rajasthan to design a look that would look very palatial, yet not take away anything from the excellent view that the restaurant provides. In addition, they brought back many unique hand-made pieces from Indian to create a truly unique space that transform guests to another place and time.

The Maharaja will be open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and is located at 57 JFK Street in Cambridge's Harvard Square . Valet and on-street parking available. For reservations please call 617.547.2757. www.maharajaboston.com (to be launched soon).