Indian cuisine gives Brookings “Flavor”

By Katherine Clayton Reporter

“Flavor: Indian Cuisine” had its grand opening Saturday, April 5. Community members were invited to dine off of the lunch buffet. The buffet included lemon rice, chickpea curry, Gulab Jamun and several other options.

The restaurant is located across the parking lot from Goodwill and Dollar Tree. “Flavor” is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“It’s part restaurant and half grocery store,” said Bhavana Patel, the owner of the restaurant. 

The grocery part of the restaurant has international goods. It is called “Food and Health”. There is another grocery store located in Sioux Falls.

“I used to make food in India,” Patel said.

According to Patel, the process of opening a restaurant took four years. They used an already existing building, but they bought new furniture to furnish the building.

“My American friends said, ‘Why don’t you open a restaurant?’” Patel said. 

The restaurant has five or six employees including Bhavana and her husband, Dilipe. 

“We have very good reviews about my food and other things,” Patel said.

The restaurant serves authentic Indian food. The prices of the food range from $2 for a dessert to $8 for an entrée.

“We have many vegan and vegetarian choices,” Patel said.

Megan Foreman, a member of the Brookings community, was present for the grand opening. 

“I have a friend who goes to SDSU and she knew about this place. She invited me here.” Foreman said.

According to Foreman, her favorite food at “Flavor” is anything containing paneer.

“It’s [paneer] like a cheese or cottage cheese. They’re just awesome.” Foreman said.

The grand opening attracted students Anna Hassel, Elaina Johnson, and Allyson Lucht. They heard about the restaurant through a friend.

 “She told me there was a new Indian restaurant and I love Indian food,” Johnson said. She brought Hassel and Lucht with here to try the restaurant.

There were a variety of answers to which food was the best at Flavor.

“Chicken Tikka Masala,” Hassel said. Chicken Tikka Masala is a chicken dish coated in various Indian spices.

“I would have to say the Malai Kofta Curry, but I like them all,” Johnson said. Malai Kofta Curry is a vegetarian dish made with paneer and kofta (similar to potato dumplings) in a spiced tomato sauce.

“I really like the Chickpea Spinach Curry,” Lucht said. Chickpea Spinach Curry is a mixture of chickpeas and spinach in a spiced sauce.

Jill Ayres, a Brookings community member heard about the restaurant through her husband. “My husband taught the Patel’s son [Niramay]. It’s [the food] all really good.”

Patel said that the restaurant is for “those who want something good and try good products.”