Nirvana - Flavours of India

Review by Renu Mehta
toronto restaurant reviews - mybindi.com

It's not only a restaurant, its an art gallery, it’s a culture statement. Its Nirvana - Flavours of India , a new and unique concept gallery restaurant with a definitive Indian theme launched in Mississauga by the Pritam group of India and the Fateh group. Nirvana meaning 'Salvation' - the ultimate feeling when a person attains total satisfaction. And this is the focus of the whole concept behind this restaurant.

What used to be a desolate parking lot at 35 Brunel Road in Mississauga , at the intersection of Britannia and Highway 10, is now buzzing with business as Nirvana creates ripples in the food industry. Never before seen in Toronto or the Greater Toronto Area, or perhaps even Ontario , this unique restaurant has initiated authentic Indian cuisine for the South Asian and the Canadian palate and clubbed it with a culture statement.

Spread over 6500 sq. feet, the restaurant seats around 220 people. The focus is on food of course, and also on art, fashion and culture. The décor is totally authentic Indian and objet d'arts and artefacts are placed strategically around the restaurant. The spacious sections of the restaurant are dotted with Indian art and a select collection of paintings. Amongst these is a unique Tanjore painting of Goddess Lakshmi – the Goddess of wealth - set in 24 ct gold. A hand embroidered 'Bagh',that is the ancient art of the embroidery of Punjab , decorates the walls of the interior amongst several others.

Five chefs have specially been flown in from India to do justice to the connoisseurs of Indian food. The delicious Indian food is bright with spice and texture and color. Tony Singh of the Pritam Group and Sukhi Ghumman of the Fateh group say that food is an art. According to Singh, each food item at Nirvana is handcrafted to perfection. "Savour first with your nose, then feast with your eyes and then taste with your tongue", he says. "Let the aroma of the food assault your senses, the food presentation take away your breath and then slowly savour each mouthful. Make it a sensual experience at Nirvana - Flavours of India". The food menu is extensive including exotic dishes such as 'Murg Musallam' and 'Machli Jalpari' for non-vegetarians. Then there is 'Shabnam Sheekh' - a selection of vegetables cooked over the skewer and 'Methi Mutter Malai' - fresh green peas and fenugreek leaves cooked in lashings of fresh cream - that will delight the vegetarian palate. For bread lovers, there is a selection of hot and fresh naans, lacha paranthas and stuffed kulchas. For the first time, one can order Roomali Rotis made from scratch.

At lunchtime, a three-course meal can be enjoyed for under $15 and relished in less than an hour. Called the Express Executive meal - The Table d' Hote comprises of a salad, a main course and dessert of which different permutations and combinations are available.

Clearly, the artistic interior and the delicious food are the main draws at Nirvana along with the mystique generated by the total concept of art, culture and food. For reservations at Nirvana, one may call: 905-501-5500.