The ‘new’ Maharajah in Cambridge
Last week saw the re-opening of one of Cambridge’s best-known Indian restaurants, the Maharajah on Castle Street, having been closed for a few years.
Parvez Kahan has returned to revitalise The Maharajah after 20 years of operating several top-end restaurants in Cambridge and its surroundings, including Mai Thai in Park Terrace and Pink Geranium and Sheene Mill in Melbourn.
As a teenager, the site on Castle Street was a restaurant on Parvez’s doorstep. Family members worked there, building the knowledge and experience needed to set up and run their own successful businesses as far away as the outskirts of Edinburgh, where awards included Scotland’s Curry Restaurant of the Year.
Celebrities favourite
King Charles III was a regular at The Pink Geranium when he was a student at Cambridge University. Now a private residence, it was also popular amongst celebrities, with the likes of Pierce Brosnan, Rod Stewart, Alison Moyet, and Ruby Wax dined there.
Fresh new look and ingredients
We visited the Maharajah on Castle Street earlier this week and were very impressed with the makeover. They remodelled it, gave it a modern and lighter look and increased the seating from 60 to 100 spread over 2 floors, which is well needed. It was fully booked on Monday night when we visited. So if you are keen to dine here, we recommend booking to avoid disappointment.
They have moved on from the typical curry house, with the emphasis now on authentic, fresh ingredients and organic spices.
House specialities include sea bass served with mustard seed marinated with traditional Indian spices and Khala Goost, a dry soft lamb dish slow cooked in the ‘Tawa’ pan with medium spices, onions, peppers and tomatoes garnished with coriander and black pepper. We particularly liked this lamb dish as it is quite different we have ever tasted before.
One of our favourites was the Pistachio Milk Cake, which is their take on a Tres leches cake. It’s a soft sponge soaked in sweet, nutty milk. Topped with chantilly cream and roasted pistachios. The perfect finish to an Indian meal.
Gerla
