Suzanne RozdebaThe latest addition to the Indian restaurants of Curry Row is Malai Marke, opening at 318 East Sixth Street later this month.
Yesterday, The Local spotted workers putting the finishing touches on the restaurant’s interior, where decorative, copper bowls imported from Northern India lined a cozy, exposed brick wall. The restaurant is steps away from Zen 6, a ramen spot that opened at the end of November.
“We’re planning to open on the 27th of this month. We will be serving kabab, Vindaloo, a lot of dishes from Goa, and also original dishes from Northern India,” owner Shiva Natarajan told The Local. The restaurant’s website promises the place will offer “the ultimate dollop of ethereal joy!”
Mr. Natarajan credits his culinary inspiration to his family and upbringing. “Some of my family lives in Goa, and I was born and raised in Calcutta,” he said. Mr. Natarajan already owns a number of restaurants in the city, including Singapura, Chote Nawab, and Dhaba, all in Curry Hill.
Dishes will include kabab starters like Chicken Achari, marinated in pickling spices ($7), and Patiala Lamb Kabab, spiced, pan-grilled lamb patties ($9). Tandoor dishes like Tand Shrimp, skewered shrimp in Tandoori spices ($18), and lamb and goat entrees, like Rogan Josh, a Kashmiri lamb curry ($17), and Goat Kadai, “wok-tossed goat on the bone” with onions and bell peppers ($18), are also on the menu.
Mr. Natarajan said he’s always had an interest in the East Village, particularly the section of Sixth Street lined with Indian restaurants. “I always wanted to be there, with the Village feel, and the young crowd. I want to give a little bit of our authentic, Indian food. We’ve succeeded in doing that in other places, and thought, ‘Why don’t we bring it to the Village?” he said.
“People have a lot of choices on that block. I’m trying my best to give good food, unique dishes that have not been on that block yet,” he said. Mr. Natarajan said he will offer affordable prices and options like “hormone-free chicken, and vegetarian and vegan choices,” along with “a real, Indian feel.”
Malai Marke, 318 East Sixth Street, (between First and Second Avenues); (212) 777-7729. Open every day for lunch and dinner.
