Having been to countless Indian restaurants in the region earlier, I confess to having had preconceived notions before I went to Maharaja by Vineet, an Indian specialty restaurant located in the Movenpick Hotel, Alkhobar. I assumed it would be like the others I have tried but was willing to give it a chance owing largely to all the rave reviews and praise it had gotten from my friends and colleagues over recent months. Now, coming out of the experience, I admit I could not have been more wrong!

The first thing that hits you as you enter the fine dining culinary eatery, even before the wafting aroma of Indian spices, is its sheer ability to transport you to a different era and culture through its ambiance, palatial design and feel. The walls are adorned with paintings of Maharajas (princes), lit candles, lamps and regal chandeliers give the entire space a welcoming glow whilst soft Indian music in the background further adds to the beautiful ethnic personality and aura of the restaurant. Furthermore, one cannot help but notice the meticulous attention paid to details in the décor and service; be it the live Tandoori cooking stations or the traditionally dressed staff, Maharaja by Vineet impresses even before the food is served.

Michelin Star winner and patron Chef, Vineet Bhatia’s signature repertoire of dishes offers the very best of Indian specialties and choosing what to order can be quite a task. From barbeque chicken and lamb, authentic biryani, butter chicken and lamb korma to fusion dishes like gobi manchurian and caramelized seafood, there is something for every connoisseur out there. The dessert menu is just as seductive with mouth watering delicacies like gajar ka halwa (a sticky sweet dessert made from carrots), home-made ice cream and kulfi. Personally, I chose to order a mixed variety to get a taste of all the flavors and to make sure I don’t miss out on any of the carte du jour luminaries.

Poppadoms served with a selection of chutneys was the perfect way to begin the meal and combined with the tomato soup and spinach tikki I ordered as appetizers, went a long way in tantalizing my palate for the courses to follow. For barbeque lovers out there, the tamatri chicken is highly recommended with rosemary and cheese naans (bread) whilst seafood lovers can delight in the caramelized fish and sesame infused prawns. My main course winners included dum parda biryani and butter chicken, both of which retained their authenticity but were presented in a contemporary stylized fashion. The Indo-Chinese gobi manchurian was also a personal favorite for its blend of subtle tangy and crunchy flavors. Not to forget, the Maharaja lassi, a twist on the ethnic Indian drink with added cardamom and saffron, topped the meal perfectly and I would have definitely gone for a second glass had dessert not been on the agenda.

Ah! Dessert! For a self confessed sweet-a-holic like myself, Maharaja by Vineet is indeed heaven. I highly suggest ordering the ‘chocomosa’ which is essentially a chocolate samosa and trying the home-made ice cream that is available in a number of flavors. I opted for mango and needless to say was not disappointed. Moreover, if you’re looking to have a complete Indian cuisine experience, do not forget to have the ‘masala chai’ as part of your last course. It is an indigenous special tea with spices and herbs that is often hard to find in restaurants over here and should therefore, not be passed up.

It goes without saying that the cuisine at the Maharaja is irresistibly enticing and the high end restaurant deserves a special mention for its unique fusion of traditional northwestern Indian ingredients with a contemporary undertone in its presentation and conception. The food was scrumptious yet not overwhelming, which only added to its appeal for me. The service too was impeccable and the entire staff maintained an air of hospitality so often associated with the Indian culture. But, for me, what stood out most about Maharaja by Vineet was its escapist disposition. Dining at the Maharaja demands you immerse all your senses in the experience as it lures you with aesthetics, music, hospitality and taste into the land of royalty and for those of you who relish new experiences, it is a must visit! However, do remember that it is a bit heavy on the pocket but regardless, definitely worth it!

The restaurant is open every day from Sunday to Friday and is closed on Saturdays. If you intend to go for dinner, I recommend you make reservations ahead of time as it is often crowded and finding a table might be difficult.

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