Dine-in or takeout food from The Spice Trail - voted the 2023 BOB Award winner for 'Best Ethnic Restaurant' and 'Best Indian Cuisine.' (Submitted photo)

By Sponsored Content

The Spice Trail

Spice up your occasion with award winning Indian cuisine

Feb 9, 2023 | 5:27 PM

Whether it’s planning a romantic night out, family event or company function, there’s only one restaurant in Prince Albert you can count on to spice up the occasion.

For the eighth year in a row, the Spice Trail has won the Best of the Best (BOB) award for ‘Best Indian Cuisine’ in 2023, and ‘Best Ethnic Restaurant.’ It was nominated in a number of other categories including best fine dining. Co-owner Sheena Rai was very grateful for the recognition from the community.

“We wouldn’t be where we are if we didn’t have the support of the community. We owe a lot to the community,” she said.

From the moment you walk into the restaurant, you feel like you are being transported to another corner of the world. Whether it’s the comforting aroma that fills the air, the quiet ambience, or the warm hospitality, the Spice Trail offers a dining experience that has no equal. Rai explained one of the most common misconceptions people tend to have about trying Indian food is that it’s all spicy. She said that could not be further from the truth and described the food prepared at her restaurant as flavourful.

That’s because nothing comes pre-packaged, all the meats are carefully prepared, and they both roast and ground all their own spices.

Student art

Grad uses student life to create 36-panel artwork of school experience

3h ago

Community safety

Landlords Association responds to P.A. shooting, suggests changes needed to Tenancies Act

16h ago

STAFFING

City urges public patience as CSO shortage slows bylaw response

16h ago

“Every spice we use has health benefits,” Rai said.

Enjoy platters, chai and saffron tea or chocolate chip naan bread among other specialties at The Spice Trail. (Submitted photo)

One of the more unique and popular items on the menu is Saffron tea, which actually gets shipped all over the way over to Prince Albert, Sask. from India. Another feature Rai is very proud of is their traditional clay oven, where a variety of mouth-watering naan bread is prepared daily including coconut, chocolate chip, garlic and cinnamon honey.

“Who doesn’t like bread just out of the oven?,” Rai said.

Culture has always been a very big part of the Spice Trail’s identity. Staff are ready and willing to take questions about any item on the menu, but new guests may also notice the fact that unlike more American style restaurants, food at the Spice Trail is not pre-plated as there is a firm belief in shared food.

“I often tell people you are not sharing food, you are sharing love,” Rai said.

Proof of the restaurant’s success and popularity can be found in the numbers. Rai explained 97 per cent of customers are repeat customers. That being said the past three years have been very difficult for many businesses and the Spice Trail is no exception. And that’s on top of the obvious challenge that already comes with offering a unique menu in a somewhat small community that may show preference to going out for some burgers and fries or pizza. But even with the elimination of the restaurant’s once popular buffet, the crowds have returned and they come from all corners of the region.

“It makes me feel so good when people travel from Melfort or La Ronge just to have a meal in our restaurant,” she said.

In addition to its great food menu, customers can also just come enjoy a drink in the Trishna lounge and relax to live entertainment. Once a week, a local Salsa group uses the space in the lounge to practice, but a number of talented artists have also committed to upcoming performances there.

The Spice Trail’s B.O.B award winning food can be found at 2901 2 Ave W. Dine in, take out or delivery.

After the success of the Spice Trail, the Rai family decided to expand to Saskatoon and opened a restaurant called Kashmere on Broadway Avenue. Their newest restaurant, House of Hakka, is located in the heart of downtown Saskatoon and hopes to bring Indo-Chinese cuisine to Canada.

Check out their website and their Facebook page for more information.

—

*This content was created by paNOW’s commercial content division.