Inside an Authentic Indian Culinary Adventure at Flavor Lounge
By Ashli Urano
The Flavor Lounge brings Himalayan and Indian cooking to Frisco, offering both traditional recipes and fresh takes on classic dishes. When my friend Natalie and I walked inside for lunch last week, we were welcomed by the delicious aroma of curry, saffron, and other spices. Combined with the decor, it created the best first impression we could have ever expected.
Located at 5855 Preston Rd., Ste. 600, The Flavor Lounge combines modern style with Middle Eastern-inspired design. The walls showcase a collection of Islamic-inspired artwork featuring intricately detailed geometric patterns and mandala designs in burgundy and gold tones, each of the respective pieces of artwork representing the four main spices used in Indian fair. These pieces are displayed in metallic gold frames with burlap backing, while gold-framed mirrors can be seen throughout the space. The walls alternate between crisp white and dark accent colors with white baseboards.
Large dome pendant lights with gold interiors illuminate the space, complemented by black cylindrical spotlights and recessed lighting suspended from the exposed industrial ceiling. The restaurant's seating creates both intimate and open dining areas. Plush mint green dining chairs with wooden legs complement the tufted sage banquettes, all featuring quilted backs and curved designs. These are arranged around solid wood tables with black metal pedestals.
The curved wooden bar makes a statement with vertical slats and LED backlighting. Wine glass racks hang overhead, while wooden-framed shelving displays an extensive liquor selection against a white hexagonal tile backsplash. Matching sage green upholstered barstools with curved backs line the bar area, providing comfortable seating for those enjoying a cocktail.
The menu begins with soups featuring the Garmaa garam bone broth soup and Himalayan tomato soup. The momos (dumplings) section includes options for veggie, chicken, or vegan fillings prepared in several ways, including Steamed Momo, Jhol Momo in a tomato sesame broth, and Creamy Coconut Momo, amongst others.
The street food section showcases favorites like Puchka Shots - crispy semolina spheres with kaala chanaa and potatoes, Papdi Chaat with its crispy wafers, and Aaloo Tikki Chaat featuring spiced potato cutlets. For appetizers, they offer everything from Paneer Poppers and Chicken Lollipops to Masala Arancini Balls and Kathal Cutlets made with jackfruit. Premium options include their Tawa Fish Fry with pompano and Bhunaa Ghosht - slow-cooked boneless mutton.
The Flavor Lounge’s main courses span from Yellow Dal Fry and Punjabi Kadi Pakoda to Lasooni Jeera Aloo and Gobhi Masala for vegetarians. Other standouts include Village-Style Fish Curry and Home-Style Goat Curry. During holidays, they serve Amritsari Chargha Chicken.
Breads available range from classic Tandoori Roti to specialty items like Nutella Naan and Keema Naan filled with lamb. For rice, they keep it simple with Jeera Rice and Veg Pulao. You can complete your meal with sides like Desi Raita or a fresh Onion Salad.
The desserts feature several traditional Indian specialties. The Carrot Halwa is made using slow-cooked carrots with ghee, milk, and sugar. Makhani Rasogulla includes sponge dumplings served in maakhan malai and garnished with pistachios and rose petals. For those in the mood for something different, the Sticky Date Pudding is made in-house with organic medjool dates, topped with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream.
Natalie and I ordered the chai latte that came perfectly spiced with a bit of steam rising on top. It wasn’t too sweet, with a strong black tea base and fresh ginger that we could actually taste. The cardamom came through without overwhelming everything else. They didn't go overboard with the sweetness either, which was a nice change from the usual overly sweet versions you get at most places. It felt like an authentic, homemade chai - the kind that makes you want to order a second cup.
From the drink menu, we sampled two very different options. The mocktail Mojito kept things simple with fresh mint and lime. It had just enough sweetness to balance the citrus, creating a clean and refreshing feel. The strawberry margarita, made with tequila, used real strawberries, which was exciting. The tartness of fresh lime juice balanced the fruit's sweetness, while the chili-lime salt rim added a subtle heat that enhanced each sip. We slowly sipped our drinks while deciding what to order first.
We started with the Dahi Puri, a street food dish that shows why Indian snacks are so addictive. Having seen pictures on social media, I knew it was beautiful and also looked delicious. Crispy semolina shells arrived filled with spiced potatoes and chickpeas, topped with yogurt and two chutneys - tamarind and mint. Even under the toppings, the shells managed to stay crispy. The potato filling was smooth, and sev (delicate crunchy noodles) was sprinkled on top. The key is to eat each shell in one bite, so you get all of the flavors at once. The yogurt cools things down while the chutneys wake up your taste buds.
Natalie said her husband’s go-to dish whenever he eats Indian cuisine is the Butter Chicken. She said all you have to do is taste it to know exactly why this dish is a classic. The sauce was balanced - creamy from cashews and butter, and brightened by tomatoes. In this dish, the spices brought warmth rather than intense heat, and the tender chicken soaked up all of those wonderful flavors.
Our plan was to tear a piece of naan, top it with butter chicken and rice, then take a bite. We then ate a spoonful of Pineapple Raita, which is a clever twist on the usual cucumber version. The mint and green chili gave it an edge without taking over - just enough to make each spoonful interesting. The pineapple’s sweetness helped cool down the spices from the Butter Chicken dish.
We ordered two types of naan to go with our curry - Garlic Cilantro and Zatar. The Garlic Cilantro Naan arrived hot with spots of char on the surface. The minced garlic and chopped cilantro stayed fresh and green, not wilted or brown like they sometimes do. We could smell the garlic as soon as the bread hit the table. The outside had raised bubbles, while the inside stayed soft enough to fold without breaking.
The Zatar Naan took things in a different direction. They didn't hold back with the herbs - especially thyme - and we were excited about the toasted sesame seeds. The naan worked especially well when scooping up the butter chicken sauce. We kept reaching for pieces of it between bites of other dishes, even while we were waiting for dessert.
Natalie only cared about one thing on the menu - the momos - and didn't mind which one we ordered. We decided on the Creamy Coconut Momo, and when they arrived, the dumplings were golden-fried and swimming in a coconut sauce that was rich without being too heavy. The sauce coated each dumpling perfectly - thick enough to cling without overdoing it. The sauteed onions and peppers added sweetness and crunch, making it taste even better. The sauce’s flavor builds - coconut, then warm spices, and finally, a gentle heat that made me want to take another bite.
Our server recommended the Maalpua Rabri for dessert. The maalpua, similar to small pancakes, were fried in ghee (clarified butter) until the edges were crispy with a soft center. The dessert was served hot with rabdi, which is sweet milk that's been slowly reduced until it's thick and creamy. The dessert was topped with saffron, crushed pistachios and almonds for crunch, and a few rose petals. It is definitely rich and also sweet, and the mix of textures makes it even better. It's a great introduction to Indian desserts.
If you're new to Indian food, The Flavor Lounge is a great place to start. The menu explains dishes clearly, and the staff can help you figure out what to order based on what you like. They have enough familiar options to make first-timers comfortable. For anyone who already loves Indian food, you'll appreciate that they aren’t just going through the motions. The ingredients taste fresh, and they put care into how everything is prepared and presented. You can taste the quality of their homemade chutneys, and the little touches show they are definitely paying attention in the kitchen.
The Flavor Lounge is upscale enough for a special night out but casual enough to drop in for a regular dinner. More importantly, they serve food that makes you want to come back and work your way through the menu, and with options ranging from street food to special occasion dishes, there is plenty to explore.
Owners Rajeev Gupta and Subodh Shah have done an incredible job of creating a welcoming atmosphere with a well-thought-out menu at The Flavor Lounge. Mr. Gupta and Ms. Shah are at the restaurant most days, if not every day, welcoming customers, suggesting dishes to try, and creating an authentic experience for patrons whether they’ve tried Indian food or not. The Flavor Lounge’s creative and elevated menu, combined with the staff’s genuine and warm hospitality, make it a true gem full of flavor and (and for those of you afraid it might be too spicy…they can make sure it isn’t!). The Flavor Lounge’s flavors from across the world have found their homes right here in Frisco.
Ashli Urano is a freelance writer obsessed with competitive tennis, true crime, and her Golden-doodle named Sadie Kirenia.
