Dolly Kaur is the owner, cook, server, and more at the newly re-opened Flavors of India in north Carson City. (Photo: Ronni Hannaman)
I recently walked into Flavors of India unannounced to interview owner Dolly Kaur. The first thing I heard was a customer bidding farewell to Dolly stating, “The food was fantastic!”
There was Dolly coming out of the kitchen – she’s the cook – beaming and saying, “Thank you, darling!”
If you want a great smile and a hug before and after your meal, there’s Dolly ready and waiting to welcome you into her dining room as she personally prepares the meal you desire in the kitchen.
Now open Wednesday through Saturday and with business growing daily, Kaur is considering expanding to include a Sunday brunch stating that there just are not enough breakfast choices in our city and feels a true family-style brunch featuring a community table would be welcome to allow diners to enjoy a special brunch menu served family-style allowing them to interact with each other and perhaps make new friends.
At present, Kaur is the cook, hostess, server, and does just about anything needed to assure her guests enjoy her food and hospitality and keep coming back. She does have one very tall male assistant in the kitchen but it’s just the two of them running the show in part of the space once leased by Bleu Café.
Few are aware when you order a meal at Flavors of India, you are not only feeding yourself, but helping to place food on the table of local veterans for Kaur is passionate about keeping everyone fed including those in India who are food insecure. She strongly believes that to give is her calling through the Small Hope Foundation. Those who locally have been a recipient of her largess are extremely grateful.
In January 2020 just prior to the COVID outbreak, Kaur and daughter Manpreet closed their former restaurant of the same name on South Carson Street due to landlord struggles after operating three years.
As we all know, all restaurants were forced to close in mid-March 2020 and as Kaur looks back, she states, “I went home to my family in the San Jose area and during this time had the opportunity to reconnect with my busy family. We cooked and created new recipes that I am serving today.”
The favorite menu item is butter chicken, which Kaur states “is the talk of the town and made with love.” Butter chicken, for those who many do not know Indian food, features aromatic golden chicken pieces in a creamy curry sauce that has become one of the most popular curries at Indian restaurants around the world.
For those who love Indian spices and may not easily find them locally, Kaur will soon feature a spice mart. She has applied for a beer and wine license to complement her food.
Asked why she returned to Carson City to reincarnate Flavors of India, she smiled and proudly stated, “Carson is my life, and I love living here.”
Visit Flavors of India and enjoy the aromatic spices that fill your senses as you enter the restaurant. As they said in the production of “Hello Dolly,” “it’s so nice to have you back where you belong!”
Flavors of India is currently open 11 a.m. -6:30 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday at 240 E. Winnie Lane. Telephone 775-530-7213. Inside dining or takeout.
