SeattleChange
Mr. Malhotra started as a modest manager for the British-owned Spencer & Co. in the 1940s. By 1952 Mr. Malhotra had launched Gaylord in Mumbai and continues to remain part-owner today. Subsequently, Mr. Malhotra expanded Gaylord to London and later to Hong Kong.
In 1976, Mr. Malhotra, along with his son Pradeep, opened Akbar in Manhattan. The delicate cuisine and elegant ambiance found at Akbar restaurants can be traced back to the 16th century in Northern India - specifically to a Mogul Emperor of the same name who had a flair for dining in unique surroundings.
Today, thanks to his culinary expertise and over 40 years as a talented restaurateur, Mr. Malhotra has succeeded in spanning the ages. With authentic recipes prepared by centuries-old methods and chefs imported from Bombay, he has made it possible for modern day gourmets to enjoy specialties which were virtually unheard of in the U.S. until the late 1970's.
Mr. Malhotra emphasized quality of service and food from the beginning. Thanks to its popularity, Akbar now has branches in Garden City, NY and Edison, NJ. While the latter is managed by Pradeep, the Garden City branch of Akbar is managed by Mr. Malhotra's daughter, Meena.
At the Garden City branch of Akbar, Meena has initiated a reorganization of the management, a new and exciting menu, and staffed with professionals to ensure world-class service. At the same time, Meena undertook some changes in the cooking content and style, introducing healthier editions of its Mughlai cuisine without compromising the taste and quality of the food.