By Kayla Bruch

Flavours of East India make their way to P.A.

Mar 22, 2015 | 8:47 AM

Earlier this week Prince Albert residents packed the new Spice Trail restaurant, enjoying the unique tastes of India.

“I realize Prince Albert doesn’t have [an] East Indian food outlet…and since me and my business partner [Bob] both have a background in East Indian food, we said ‘let’s do it, let’s give Prince Albert something different,’” said the restaurants part-owner and manager Harinderpal (a.k.a. Harry) Rai .

Rai has spent over 25 years in the food industry after completing a hotel schooling program in India.

“That’s where I learned to cook commercially and [since then] I’ve manag[ed] hotels, resorts, [and] different food outlets,” he said.

What this long-time cook loves most about specializing in East Indian cuisine is “creating a fusion” between the food in Canada and the way food tasted back home.

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“I think after every…300 kilometres the food habits and the cuisine changes,” he said, adding that “[Canadians] consider East Indian food to be hot…‘it’s spicy, but spicy means flavour, not heat.’”

Despite battling common misconceptions Rai said they have had a “tremendous response” from the community and the public has already named their favourite dish. 

“Everyone has backed us up, liked the food and…shown us so much support,“ he said.

“Butter chicken is always everybody’s favourite course and there is a specific way to do it. The chicken has to be cooked in the clay oven first and the sauce is made separately, and then they’re both combined…that’s what authentic butter chicken is.”

Spice Trail’s fine dining and bar service haven’t begun yet but they are open for a buffet from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. and then again from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.

The new restaurant is located at 2901 Second Avenue West, Unit #1.

kbruch@panow.com

On Twitter: @KaylaBruch1