The Spice is Right

Whether you’re craving authentic Indian favorites or a creative fusion of Tex-Mex, Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines, newcomer Windmills will definitely fill the bill. Windmills is among the latest arrivals at Grandscape in The Colony. Nestled on the complex’s eastern border, between Plano Parkway and Spring Creek Parkway, Windmills presents a quadruple punch of fun as an eatery, microbrewery and live-music venue that also boasts an extensive library of books. One can imagine how I jumped at the chance to dine at Windmills and take in all that it has to offer. At more than 14,000 square feet – including an amazing outdoor patio overlooking the water – Windmills is the first U.S. location by entrepreneurs Kamal Sagar and Ajar Nagarajan and their company Total Environment, which was established in Bangalore, India. Open since December 2020, Windmills creates a space with an intellectual feel that is designed for all age groups, including
brfamilies and singles, where one can soak up great soul-stirring live music, craft beer and interesting food. There is also an extensive collection of books for patrons who like to indulge in light reading while enjoying a beer.

When we arrived at the parking lot, I immediately noticed the architecturally impressive two-story building with its copper-colored fermentation tanks peeking out from the second-floor windows. As we entered the striking building, we took in the uber-cool entrance that features a warm-yet-ultra-modern welcome desk, wood-lined walls, marble floors and curved, contemporary chairs. We turned the corner and noted the grandness of the dining room as rich hardwood floors, a lighted bar and comfortable booths greeted us. A large stage is positioned on the far right of the room, boasting an enormous speaker setup that played ‘70s classics with phenomenal sound quality. A large staircase is also visible, showcasing an awe-inspiring brewery, while the covered patio, which overlooks a small water area, offers plenty of outdoor tables. The entire space boasts comfortable seating, creating a spacious-yet-intimate feel that is homey and welcoming.

We sat at our table enjoying the beautiful view. Immediately our server, Chloe, ventured over. After welcoming us, she asked what we’d like to drink, and I inquired about the brewery upstairs. She explained Windmills’ concept of sourcing the best hops, grains and malts for every pint of beer, as well as offering 14 house brews on tap and selections such as a Russian Imperial stout, a coffee brown ale, a hoppy Amber Ale and an apricot tart sour. She mentioned that tours of the brewery are offered, but everyone is welcome to walk around and “take a look.” Windmills also serves a plethora of interesting cocktails, including the Leadbelly Margarita, Bluebonnet and Smoking Barrel, to name just a few.We considered the full range of appetizers, asking our server what she recommended and about the most popular requests. Chloe mentioned the variety of the menu, particularly noting the mix of traditional Indian fare paired with a good selection of Tex-Mex choices. After some consideration, we decided on the Texas Twinkies and the Cheese Curds Pakora along with some glasses of fresh lemonade. She noted our choices and went to the kitchen to place the order. When she returned with our drinks and appetizers, we could hardly wait to dig in. The lemonade wasn’t too tart or too sweet – it was just right in its flavoring. As one would expect, the fresh white cheddar curds were incredibly cheesy as they melted on our tongues. Served on a bed of sliced purple cabbage, the pairing of the soft cheese and crunchy cabbage created a pleasant juxtaposition. When bathed in the mint-yogurt dipping sauce, the delicious starter created an explosion of flavor in our mouths. This appetizer was demolished in no time.