malabar kitchen - business overview
The Mission: offer guests original, seasonally-driven, American fare that gently introduces Indian flavors in a vibrant, tasteful and comfortable setting.
What is American food? American food is cultural collaboration - the product of immigrant influence. It’s the appreciation of cross-cultural tradition built on the foundation of first-generation family customs. It is the representation of the dynamic American people – not bound by the notion of the impossible, but open to change and innovation.
Malabar Kitchen will embrace the diversity and adaptability of American food by offering seasonal menus of simple, shareable, market-driven dishes composed of both unique and familiar ingredients. The food will be largely local to support the evolving preferences of the area as well as the historical tradition of farm-focused eating and the standard seasonal menu will shift four times per year or more. With Chef Akhtar Nawab’s diverse experience of growing up in an Indian household with his mother’s cooking and refining his skills in French, Mexican, Spanish and Italian kitchens, the monthly menu will represent not only America’s multiple influences, but also the core essence of Chef Akhtar’s cooking.
Malabar Kitchen will be located in Manhattan’s busy and popular East Village neighborhood. The area is representative of America in that it embraces multiple cuisines, but it is ripe for a restaurant with straight-forward yet refined American food and a comforting, energetic environment. Groups will find it easy to order individually or family-style, and the menu will appeal to both picky and food-forward eaters. The concept will be focused on generating a loyal following of repeat customers while enticing newcomers with intriguing specials and solid, delicious food.
