Extrapolating on the fusion concept is exactly what Zaika Key Largo Indian Cuisine embodies … in this case, extreme patience and creation.
Ganesh Selvam was patient in his quest to be a restaurant owner and creating delicious made-from-scratch recipes, which take an average of 72 hours from start to finish.
“We’ve been fixing a little at a time,” Selvam said about the restaurant location at MM 105, oceanside, in Key Largo.
Zaika (pronounced zi-kah) had a soft opening last summer. Locals were very excited and curious about the new restaurant that complemented the Keys quality and uniqueness standard.
Originally from a southern coastal town in India, Selvam always knew he wanted to open a restaurant. He has an extensive hospitality background and chef culinary training, including working for Carnival Cruise Lines.
“Every single port I wanted to open a restaurant, and I ended up here in Key Largo,” he said.
While enduring long hours working for Carnival, a serendipitous conversation presented an opportunity for him to move to the U.S. and work for a restaurant in upstate New York. He quickly realized the cold weather and tough seasonal model weren’t for him, and he moved to Miami in 2009 and worked for a popular Indian restaurant.
Selvam said venturing down to the Keys seemed like the next best step, and all along the way, he consistently found his friends and patrons saying, “Why don’t you open a restaurant?”
“I knew I wanted to do something different and started the process of finding a location and a loan,” he said.
As many fellow entrepreneurs know, opening a restaurant isn’t the easiest task. Hence, the extreme patience and perseverance required to finally see Zaika come to fruition is a feat.
Selvam credits his wife, Kimberly Mahelal, as well as countless friends, business partners, connections and staff, who supported and offered guidance along the way.
“It was almost two years of working a full-time job, then coming home and doing research into the wee hours of the night for all that was needed,” Selvam said, “Once I found this location, that process started at the end of 2021 and took about a year to finalize.”
“My wife is also very patient,” he said. “We grew up the same way.”
“It is important to be patient, too — you have to be,” said Mahelal. “If you are not patient, it’s not going to work out.”
Zaika Key Largo Indian Cuisine is a unique restaurant, but the name is associated with a collaborative business branding relationship with Zaika locations in Miami and Weston. The cross-reference is beneficial for both owners, as customers can visit all the locations, as many Miami residents visit the Keys and vice versa.
The artwork used in the restaurant signs and outside wrap includes temples, statues and architecture native to his state in India. The ambiance inside the restaurant is sophisticated enough for a special occasion but not too intimidating for an average Keys night out. There also is a smaller dining area that can hold a private group or event, as well as catering for those who prefer to host a party outside the restaurant.
The vast menu offers something for everyone, and it’s a misconception, in this author’s opinion, if you feel that Indian food is “too spicy” or that you may not be able to find something to order.
There are plenty of vegetarian options; seafood such as shrimp, calamari and octopus; meat such as chicken or lamb; and a variety of naan flatbread, desserts, yogurt and more.
“Mussels are a top seller, and in general, I don’t use any type of frozen — everything is fresh, and I source myself and offer a wide variety versus other Indian restaurants,” Selvam said. “Most of the spices come from India.”
Sauces are specially crafted, which is part of the 72-hour process. Some recipes are more common to Indian food and some are Selvam’s creation.
“Being different is what sets us apart — recipes and standards,” Selvam said.
For those who may be new to Indian food but like chicken, Zaika’s wings or the Tandoori half chicken is a perfect way to start, along with some garlic naan flatbread. There are enough delicious naan options for the bread lover to warrant their own menu.
The portions are also on the more generous side (depending on your appetite), so picking a couple of meals and sides and sharing them with friends or family is a great way to try some options.
Mahelal works at Zaika alongside her husband. She said her favorite thing about the business is meeting different people and immersing them with the culture — getting them out of their comfort zone.
“Being inclusive and trying different things makes everyone happy,” she said.
“So many things go into a restaurant, and from an outside point of view, people think it’s just a piece of chicken, but a lot goes into it,” Selvam said. “I came to America because this is a land of opportunity, and there is something for everyone.”
Zaika Key Largo Indian Cuisine is open Wednesday to Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. The kitchen closes half an hour before closing.
For more information, search @zaikakeylargo on Instagram and Facebook.
