Another day in Vizag, another restaurant opens up - just as another is downing its shutters. We are willing to be scapegoats for our dear users and so bravely ventured to try out the new restaurant in town: Flavours.

The restaurant is located very centrally at Dutt Island, Siripuram. We were told that the restaurant is run by a certain Mr. Venugopal who we did not have the pleasure of meeting.

There are some very sensible things about this place: 1) The 'No Smoking Zone' sign that greets you near the entrance. We at VizagCityOnline.com are card-carrying life members of the anti-nicotine brigade and so found this a very welcome sign. We only wish more places would follow this. (2) Disposable napkins (but not paper napkins) (3) 'saunf' ('Indian Mouth Freshener' as some airlines call it) in individual pouches - much more hygienic than when everyone puts their grubby fingers into the bowl.

As for the ambience and décor, well…, er…we don't know what to say. There is no theme, no colour scheme. Diffused lighting is mixed with spotlights; there are 'arty' miniatures on the walls as well as an amateurishly done wall mural of Dolphin's Nose. There are inviting sofas and chairs with upright backs. The colour Purple seems to be in favour here. There is purple lighting, purple strips on the menu card and the bill; they even have a drink called Purple Passion (grape juice and cola) and a dessert called Purple Riot (made of Beetroot we were told). The music that played in the background was instrumental oldies & jazz.

To get down to the business of food: The items on the menu are not too many which in our opinion is a good thing. Any restaurant claiming that they can serve any of 940 dishes from various cuisines in 15 minutes flat is going to make a hash of it.

There are just 5 items in the menu that cost more than Rs. 100 (but less than Rs. 115), Soups are between Rs. 25 & 30. The menu, consisting of Chinese and Indian dishes, is divided into Starters, Soups, Main Courses, (these three divided into vegetarian & non-vegetarian with the non-vegetarian further sub-divided into mutton, chicken and fish) Rotis, Rice Items and the dessert menu called the 'Grand Finale' with items such as phirnee, rabri, fruit salad (Rs. 40/-). The food is served on little burners that keep the food piping hot - another plus for this place.

We had the Murgh Tawa Masala (Rs.85.00), Panchrattan Dal (Rs.40/-), Palak Methi Chaman (Rs.70/-), Jeera Paani (Rs.20/-) and Rotis. The preparation was nothing to rave about neither was the presentation: one would expect a dish of palak and methi to be at least a little green in colour but this one was bright yellow. However, the service was good. The servings are very generous: three of us could not put away these dishes and so asked for a doggy bag which was given without any fuss.

All in all, a mixed experience.

Ratings:
Food: 5/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 6/10
Value for money: 7/10

Category:
Family Dining

Date Reviewed:
1st October 2003

Flavours
(A unit of Carnations Restaurants)
1st Floor, Dutt Island
Siripuram, Visakhapatnam 530003
Tel: 5544335, 2752752, 2753753