Maharaj Original Indian Food @ Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya
Food review invitation from Ms. Meei, on behalf Mr. Ilan Govan (restaurant owner) who's a close friend of hers. Maharaj is located along Jalan Gasing, PJ, in a bungalow lot (with approximately 20 parking spaces available) and right next to a furniture shop.
Maharaj means emperor or king in the Indian language. However, it could also refer to a chef with excellent culinary skills who in the olden days, cooked for the kings. The choice of name picked by the owner is to signify the high standards adopted by his restaurant. Maharaj prides itself in serving original Indian food. The owner, Ilan Govan has a strong passion in food despite having a background in advertising. He wanted to bring the Indian culture experience to Malaysia and thus went to India to study Indian cuisine. Maharaj has three main chefs and two assistant chefs who are all from India.
Maharaj runs its business in a beautifully designed restaurant with artistic interior and decorations to bring every patron a journey of culture and arts of Indian cuisine. The restaurant has a lively environment. It has a great ambience with beautiful wall paintings which took approximately 6 months to complete. The wall paintings were painted by an art director of the Tamil film industry, who is also an actor and a friend of the restaurant owner. The restaurant is furnished with beautiful furnishings which were brought in from India and a piece of furniture could cost up to RM 8,000. Patrons should also keep an eye on the chandelier at the restaurant. The owner has searched high and low for this chandelier. In short, Ilan Govan has invested a lot of time, effort and money in the effort to create a beautiful dining experience for its patrons.
The premises of the restaurant is suitable for small functions and can sit up to 120 people. Apart from the choices available on the menu, Maharaj could also offer up to 300 - 400 original Indian dishes on request. They also cater for functions. The average price per pax at Maharaj is RM25. It is interesting to note that the prices for its dishes have never increased since it started its business some 9 years ago. Maharaj has been at its current premises for 3 years now and also has a branch in Penang.
Ilan Golan is a man who not only has a passion in food, but he also believes in delivering the best Indian cuisine available in Malaysia. He believes that this industry needs more people who are well trained in cooking Indian cuisine. In line with his belief, he is starting an Indian culinary art school, which is currently in the works.
For all this, Maharaj is highly recommended for an exquisite and unforgettable dining experience.
59 Jalan Gasing,
46000 Petaling Jaya
Selangor D.E.
Tel: 03-7968-5515
Fax: 03-79587266
Email: [email protected]
Wesite: http://www.maharaj.com.my/
Opening hours: Daily, 11.30am to 3.00pm, 6.30pm to 11.00pm (last order)
Maharaj @ Penang
(Located next to Odeon Cinema/ Cititel Hotel)
132, Penang Road,
10000 Pulau Pinang.
Tel: 04-2620263
Email: [email protected]
Mango Lassi
Cucumber Salad, RM6.00
A light starter from a mixture of vegetables: cucumber, carrots, onions, capsicum and tomatoes before tossed in with yogurt and mayonaise dressing.
Gobi Manchurian, RM14.00
Spicy machurian style cauliflower...highly recommended...thumbs up!
Mini Naan Basket, RM20.00
Pomfret Masala (Seasonal Price)
Deep fried fish with a firm texture top with masala sauce.
Garlic Rice
Mutton Rogan Josh, RM19.00
A popular Kashmiri dish, the colour of the dish came from a special kind of pepper, mutton was tender and flavorful.
Mixed Tandoor
It is an assortment of mutton sheek kebab, murgh malai kebab, chicken tikka, fish tikka and jinga. There wasn't any gamey flavor from the mutton sheek kebab cause it was well spiced with herbs, fish tikka coated with pounded green chili to enhance the colour as presentation wasn't as spicy as it seen and chicken kebab was very tender, juicy and nicely spiced. Everything were well marinated with natural ingredients and tasted great.
Mango Kulfi, RM7.00
Carrot Halwa, RM5.00
Taste like fresh caramalised carrots sweet dessert.
Gulab Jamoon, RM5.00
Gulab Jamoon is balls of fried rice flour in warm rose syrup, with adistinctive taste and worth trying.
Buffet Style....
Art Piece Painted on the Walls
Entrance to Private Room
A Happy Family dining here
Imported from India...deco collection
Lively Place
Picture of King of India which everyone claimed looks like Mr. Ilan Govan, hehe!
Toillet wall also hand painted
Mr. Ilan has his hand on for the flooring, different tiles used in few different area
A special thanks to Ms. Meei (Ms.Fitness Malaysia) for this fantastic food review recommendation and invitation. Thank you to Mr. Ilan Govan (Maharaj restaurant owner) for his generousity and hospitality.
The Chandelier
From left: William Yip, Vicky, Vanny, Mr.Ilan Govan, Ms.Meei and Kevin Sia
Shot with Nikon D7000
I am Angeline (Yoga teacher, photographer and blogger). Thank you for reading my posts. My media coverage touches mostly on lifestyle events and focuses on happening scenes in Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu. I also write food reviews, travel and hotel reviews, KL clubbing reviews and product launches. My other interests include the movies, technology and photography. Subscribe to my facebook page. Contact me via my email at: [email protected]
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