restaurant of the month - september 2008

Maharaja
Fine Indian cuisine for lunch, dinner

MAHARAJA RESTAURANT, conveniently located on Milwaukee's east side at 1550 N. Farwell Ave., offers Indian food in a welcoming atmosphere. Those new to Indian cuisine will feel comfortable asking questions of the friendly staff, while aficionados of Indian cuisine will discover why this is considered Milwaukee's best spot for Indian food by visitors and locals alike.

A popular luncheon buffet is served daily, and offers choices for meat-lovers and vegetarians. The dinner menu also offers lamb, chicken, beef, seafood and vegetable options in a dazzling array of appetizers and entrees.

The subtle and exotic flavors of Indian food come from the array of spices that are used, including cardamom, cinnamon, clove, coriander, nutmeg and saffron. There is a range of "heat" in Indian food, so whether you like your food with a bit of bite or not, count on lots of options. Maharaja features both North and South Indian cuisines.

The dining experience at Maharaja begins with Indian bread that is prepared in the restaurant's clay oven. Served promptly after you are seated, it is a luscious introduction to what is to come.

Appetizer choices at dinner include Pakora, cheese chicken, fish or shrimp deep fried in chick pea batter, and Samosa, spicy turnovers stuffed with potatoes and green peas.

The Mulligatawny Soup combines lentils and vegetables, while Coconut Soup combines coconut with cream, pistachios and more. There are a number of other Indian specialty breads listed on the menu that can be ordered, including versions stuffed with ingredients such as potatoes or nuts and raisins.

At Maharaja, dinners are served with Rice Pallao, fresh hot onion chutney, mint chutney and Tamarind sauce.

On the entree side of the menu, "Tandoori cuisine" describes an Indian specialty involving aromatic herbs, cultured yogurt and ground fresh spices basted on foods that are then baked in a charcoal clay oven (Tandoor). The result is lean and tender meat with an amazing tenderness. Order chicken, lamb, shrimp or try a little bit of everything with the Tandoori Mixed Grill.

Curries can be ordered to the diner's choice of "heat" - mild, medium or hot and are available in chicken, lamb, beef, vegetable, fish or shrimp versions.

There is an amazing range of other entree dishes to choose from, and most are made with your choice of meats or vegetarian style. For example, there is Chicken Mango, boneless chicken cooked in an onion, garlic, ginger and mango sauce; Chicken Moghlai, Chicken Tikka cooked in mushroom cream sauce, tomato sauce and a blend of spices and herbs, and Chicken Makhani, boneless Tandoori chicken in butter and cream sauce with cashews and raisins. There also are biryani dishes (Indian rice casseroles).

The Southern Indian menu includes Chicken Tika Doasai, rice crepes filled with chicken tika, and Fish Moly, chunks of fish cooked with coconut and spices.

A review of the menu at Maharaja reveals why vegetarians seek out Indian cuisine. The lengthy list includes Palak Aloo, a ragout of potatoes, spinach and tomatoes, finished with light cream, and Baingan Bhartha, eggplant baked over an open flame, mashed and then sauteed with onions, garlic, ginger and other spices.

Condiments that can be ordered to complement main dishes include mango chutney and raita, a sauce of cucumber and mint in yogurt.

Maharaja has a full bar serving cocktails, wines and beers that include India's King Fisher, Taj Mahal, Flying Horse, Maharaja and Sunny Beaches Lager. The restaurant also makes its own Masala or Chai Tea, brewed with spices, milk and sugar.

There is a parking lot across Farwell for Maharaja customers. The restaurant also offers a private room for parties. Hours are 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5 - 10 p.m. daily. For more information, phone 414-276-2250 or visit www.restaurantmaharaja.com.