Savor Manitowoc reporters try tikka masala, korma and samosas at The Spices restaurant in Manitowoc

Alisa M. Schafer and Patti Zarling, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter

MANITOWOC – One of Manitowoc's newest restaurants, The Spices, has brought Indian and Napalese cuisine right to our doorstep and to the Savor Manitowoc series.

Patti and I, reporters for the Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter, are on a mission to try every locally owned restaurant in Manitowoc County — we've been to more than 50 since 2018.

In our last adventure, we tried burgers and chili nachos at the Badger's Den in Kiel.

The Spices, a restaurant owned by Basudev Adhikari from Kohler, is on North Rapids Road where Vogel Auto Body and John's Used Car Sales used to be.

Adhikari operates 20 businesses in Wisconsin, including The Spices in Sheboygan. He also said he is considering opening another restaurant in Green Bay.

“If you do the food right, people will come and you’ll do well,” Adhikari said in a previous interview with the Herald Times Reporter. “People come from Manitowoc, Green Bay and Milwaukee to eat at The Spices. That gave me the confidence to open more.”

Here's what we tried at The Spices.

Alisa's angle

A large serving of chicken tikka masala from The Spices in Manitowoc.
A large serving of chicken tikka masala from The Spices in Manitowoc.

My favorite part about new restaurants opening up is the chance to try something I've never tried before, and The Spices has a whole menu full of appetizers and entrees that were entirely unfamiliar to me.

I immediately knew I wanted to try a samosa as it is one delicacy I've heard about but had never tried. The appetizer I ordered came with two samosas ($7), which I shared with Patti, and a dark and sweet dipping sauce. Right away, I knew I liked the samosas. The spiced potato and pea filling was incredible and the dipping sauce added complexity to the flavor instead of just covering it.

For my entree, I ordered chicken tikka masala ($16). Again, it was a dish I had heard of but had not tried (unless you count those boxed kits you can find in the grocery store). The flavor absolutely blew me away. I loved the texture of the chicken and the sauce was phenomenal. The portions were very generous, too. I had enough leftover for another lunch the next day.

While I would be tempted to order the exact same thing next time I go, I absolutely want to try every menu item now. I think next time I would order the lamb vindalu ($18) or the butter chicken ($16). I would also save room for dessert and try the gulab jamun ($3.99), which are fried dumplings soaked in a sweet syrup that is often made with rose water.

Patti's perspective

A plate with shrimp korma over rice and a piece of the cheese naan.
A plate with shrimp korma over rice and a piece of the cheese naan.

I had heard many good things about The Spices Restaurant and was eager to try it out. The atmosphere is clean and fresh and service was great.

I do not enjoy super spicy foods, and so was super happy you can order your spice level at a 1-5 as to how spicy you’d like your dish to be. I find this more helpful than mild, medium or blazing hot, since my mild might not be your mild.

I ordered the Shrimp Korma ($18) and it did not disappoint. Korma is a creamy sauce made with coconut milk, yogurt and in this dish, with yellow curry. A delightful creamy and sweet flavor. There was plenty of large shrimp in the dish, too! They don’t skimp. It was served with a side dish of white rice large enough to share with my co-worker and still have enough to take home.

For a starter, I ordered the cheese naan bread ($6.99). This came with four generous slices, enough for both of us, and it's just a delightful treat! The lightness of the naan bread topped with gooey cheese could be a meal in itself!

Honestly, when I go back I will order the exact same thing, it was that good!

Fast facts

A look at the outside of The Spices, which shares a space with a BP gas station.
A look at the outside of The Spices, which shares a space with a BP gas station.

Name: The Spices Restaurant and Bar

Address: 2328 N. Rapids Road, Manitowoc

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays

Menu price range: $5-$18

Parking lot or street parking: Parking lot

This article is part of the Herald Times Reporter's Savor Manitowoc, an award-winning series that features local restaurants. Reporters Alisa Schafer and Patti Zarling choose a restaurant to sample their offerings and share their experience with readers. Have a restaurant for us to try? Contact Alisa Schafer at aschafer@gannett.com or Patti Zarling at pzarling@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: The Spices restaurant in Manitowoc brings tikka masala, korma, samosas

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