The region’s first glatt kosher Indian restaurant will be opening next month in Great Neck Estates, serving fusion cuisine inspired by the heritage and passions of two young friends from Queens.
Partners Malik Husain, 25, and Andy Perlaza, 29, won unanimous approval from the Village of Great Neck Estates at last week’s Board of Trustees meeting for a conditional license to open Mumbai Grill at 178 Middle Neck Road, site of a former Chinese restaurant.
A tentative Sept. 28 grand opening date is planned, subject to clearances from the Nassau County Health Department and the Fire Marshall, the restaurant’s owners said.
The restaurant’s unique menu includes five signature Indian alcoholic drinks to complement the authentic flavors from the kitchen’s two Tandoor ovens. The owners expect to offer a fish special of the day.
Perlaza and Husain said they have hired two chefs who bring the skills and techniques to cook the special cuisine and design their own signature seasonings.
Fresh spices unavailable in the U.S. will be shipped straight from India to get the flavors they are looking for, they said.
The glatt kosher designation applies to meat that not only comes from a kosher animal that is slaughtered in a kosher way, also comes from an animal with adhesion-free or smooth lungs.
Husain, born in New Delhi, is the son of a successful Queens restaurateur. Perlaza, born in Ecuador, worked in fast food restaurants before they teamed up with a plan to launch their own Indian eatery.
Their attorney, Janice Shea of Harras Bloom & Archer LLP in Melville, told trustees the young entrepreneurs did a thorough study of local demographics before selecting the Great Neck peninsula for a strict Glatt Kosher menu that would comply with Kosher laws covering preparation and ingredients.
“This is a restaurant that will cater to this community,” Shea told the Great Neck News, “The two principals are two very creative young men who have practical experience and a real vision.”
Shea told trustees that building permits have been issued, renovations are under way, and a temporary liquor license is pending.
The restaurant space is modest in size, with seating with 40 diners. But, the owners said, they expect lots of business.
“This is now the only Glatt Kosher Indian cuisine in the New York Metropolitan area,” Husain said.
To keep up with the demand they expect, he said, “We’re going to be offering takeout and delivery.”
Mumbai Grill will be open seven days a week, closing at sunset on Friday evenings and reopening on Saturday evenings.
