Nani’s Indian Kitchen set for mid-November opening
BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. » Saratoga County will soon have a new spot for ethnic cuisine with the opening of Nani’s Indian Kitchen.
Located at 256 Milton Ave. in Ballston Spa, Nani’s Indian Kitchen is expected to open its doors to the public in mid-November, contingent on inspections.
This new restaurant is owned and operated by Milton resident Nafeesa Koslik, who is eager to share her vision, and her food, with the community.
Koslik, who has family in the local restaurant industry, has always considered opening a business of her own someday, but this current project would not have happened if it were not for the pandemic.
When COVID-19 caused mass corporate layoffs that affected Koslik’s longtime career in the hotel industry, she decided 2020 was the right time to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams.
In considering her options, Koslik said, “Let’s try this. We have nothing to lose. I’ve always talked about this, so let’s give this a shot,” she shared.
Rather than her original plan of starting a food truck, Koslik instead decided to establish a small brick and mortar restaurant.
“This was meant to be,” she said while standing in her future restaurant. “The space is just right for me. It’s not too big.”
Since Koslik announced her plans to open Nani’s Indian Kitchen in the unit formerly occupied by Beverly’s Eatery, local residents have expressed their
excitement about this new downtown business, and the buzz continues to grow each time she shares photos of her cooking on the restaurant’s social media.
Soon, these early fans and followers will finally be able to get a taste of these dishes at Ballston Spa’s first- ever Indian restaurant.
Likewise, Koslik is excited to be in the kitchen of her first- ever restaurant. “I love to cook,” she said. “I amthe oldest of five, so I’ve been cooking since I was eight or nine years old.”
Even more, “I love feeding people,” the mother of three continued. “The joy of seeing people eat what you cook and enjoy it is such a fulfilling thing.”
These passions are in Koslik’s blood. “My whole family, we are like big foodies,” she said. “We love to cook, and we love to feed.”
During her childhood, Koslik and her family moved all through India, so she was exposed tomany of the country’s different regional cuisines at a young age.
Koslik learned how to cook from her mother, who is a talented chef herself.
The new restaurant is named after Koslik’s mother, who her children call Nani. “She was the inspiration behind the restaurant, behind the recipes, behind the cooking - everything,” the owner said.
So, Koslik aims to present a “grandma’s kitchen” atmosphere at her restaurant. “I want that kind of a feel,” she said.
Nani’s Indian Kitchen will feature all of the Indian food staples that people know and love, as well as some Indian comfort foods, and possibly some fusion dishes incorporating other styles of cuisine, Koslik said, noting that the menu offerings will be dependent on what customers want.
Looking ahead to the future of Nani’s Indian Kitchen, “I still want to do the food truck,” Koslik said, calling that her long term dream to travel with her husband as her kids get older.
Nani’s Indian Kitchen is already a member of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce and the Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association, and Koslik recently spoke at a Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership event about the future of Ballston Spa.
A ribbon cutting ceremony with the chamber will be planned following the restaurant’s debut.
Once open, Nani’s Indian Kitchen’s hours will include lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday and brunch/lunch hours on Sunday.
The restaurant will offer on-site dining and take- out when it first opens, followed by the addition of delivery.
More information about Nani’s Indian Kitchen is available online at www.facebook.com/nanisindiankitchen.
A website, which will include online ordering, is coming soon.