Fine Dining Experience fit for a Maharaja

By Shashi Narasimhiah

Being a huge food enthusiast, it has been my habit to look for opportunities to visit new restaurants, try new recipes, check out new taste and experience the new ambience. On the evening of a cool Sydney Autumn Friday, my wife Rekha and myself decided to let our hair down and try this new restaurant in Carlingford – Maharaja’s on Carmen.  Earlier that day, it had snowed in some parts  of  NSW and the evening weather being chill we thought it was ideal for a spicy dinner at a cosy place. When we entered Maharaja’s on Carmen that is exactly what awaited us and we were immediately taken in by the warmth of the place which was for reasons beyond only climate control!!

When you  enter  Maharaja’s on Carmen, in addition to the warmth of the place, the murals on the walls, the flowers at the centre, the soft light from the chandeliers, the soft bansuri music, the superior service and finally the food embellished with rich Indian spices presented in imaginative black dinnerware makes you feel royal!!  In the vicinity of Carlingford, West Pennant Hills and North Rocks, this high quality Indian restaurant which was established only about four months back, will go a long way in making your dining experience special.

During our dining in this restaurant, I immediately identified one major difference – the food served was salt optimised. Indian food in general is highlighted for high salt content and that blemish appears to have been corrected here. The cuisine  although predominantly Punjabi, also includes a few other items which emanate from Goa, Western and Southern parts of India. The restaurant is open for lunch service on three days of the week – Friday, Saturday and Sunday with the day’s special item made available for the discerning diners.

Despite the restaurant  buzzing with diners of differentvariety – some arriving to dine in, some receiving their take away order delivery, some phoning in to enquire about outdoor catering service etc, I had the opportunity to interact with the owner Rani, the host Maria and the chefs Manoj and Krishna. A visit to the kitchen and a glimpse of the chefs’ deft movements in preparing Rogan Josh, Butter Chicken and Naan proved very interesting. Despite her being busy at the counter, Rani took time to speak to me on the speciality of their restaurant. Rani mentioned that, although they don’t have a very big menu they concentrate on “perfecting the items they present”. Shefurther mentioned that their menu is seasonal – meaning different items of food as well as different recipes for the same item for different seasons. Rani also pointed out that the kitchen is big enough to meet the demands of bigger parties, banquets, outdoor catering and take away.As per Rani, the spicy crab curry, the various types of Korma, the Bombay Beef, Lamb Madras, Vindaloo, the Goan Fish Curry  as  also their very own patent recipe for Dal Makhni are hearty and intense and will serve to fulfil the requirements for an exotic and fine dining experience.

Maharaja’s on Carmen is the latest of their chain of three restaurants – the other two being Maharaja’s Haveli in Quakers Hill and Maharaja’s Lakeside in Bella Vista. Given the quality of food, ambience and the level of customer care Maharaja’s is sure to grow to be a major restaurant and catering chain in Sydney Metro area. All the very best to them!!