What comes to mind when you think of the colour red? A warning sign, a cautionary flag or maybe the spicy red chilli? But pay a visit to the Red Onion restaurant on Double Road in Shanti Nagar and you will visualise the potent colour in a different light. Lodged beside the flyover is this cosy, comfortable gastronomical paradise brimming in red lamps and glowing ambiences which will transform your idea of the passionate colour into one of blissful eating pleasure.
But colour is not the only thing that creates appeal in Red Onion. The multi-cuisine restaurant prides itself with some of the most delectable dishes cooked in natural culinary fashion serving up an array of Indian, Afghani and Chinese delights.
Red Onion blends modern gastronomic uniqueness with delicacies that match the rich royal heritage of India. From exotic South Indian delicacies to the Peshawari Kebabs, Mughlai kormas, biryanis and delicious Chinese offerings, the restaurant, a part of the B.R. Shetty led Neotel hotels and Resorts, aims to delight all culinary sensibilities.
Seated in the spacious ambience of the restaurant, the welcoming stew is either a coriander-flavoured tomato broth or a chicken soup with almonds. A vibrant platter of kebabs follows. The contemporary and urban texture of the restaurant is reflected in the signature kebabs from the chef’s special veggie platter to the range of succulent meat spreads. In the starters the Gilalawati kebab with the famous Lucknow ulta tawa paratha is a winner hands down. The adventurous must try the tandoori non-veg platter with the chef’s choice of chicken, mutton, fish and prawns mix.
A massive spread of curries can be chosen from. The Afghani choices are by far the favourite in this lot. From the kadai paneer to the keema muttar, these side dishes are a perfect harmony to the main course. A favourite here is the Balti murgh methiwala, a Baltistani dish of chicken tossed with traditional spices and fresh dried methi from Qassor, Pakistan.
The adherence to freshness and traditional cuisine is balanced expertly with the contemporary tastes of the curries. The main courses are the most exciting and the biryani choices are a must try, especially the Hyderabadi dum biriyani which tastes unlike any other. The incredibly soft breads are another regular favourite here.
In the Chinese variety, the momos are delightfully yummy and pack a surprise in every mouthful. The manchow soups and the manchurian starters are flavoursome and tasty. While the vegetarian course is less, the non-veg offerings in this section are fantastically rich in taste and texture – be it chopsueys, noodles or rice based. The inter-continental section boasts of the most delicious Arabic veg pie as well as a spectacular range of pastas, barbeques and steaks. A must have is the tender marinated chicken breast seasoned and served with au jus on a sizzler.
The desserts make a picture-perfect climax to the colourful feast with some breath-taking choices. Sweet lovers must have the roohe-e-jamun, a tender dumpling prepared from reduced milk and refined flour and deep in a light rose scented sugar syrup and the shahi tukda with ice cream, which is fried bread with rabri and nuts. An added bonus with every meal is a bowl of delicious homemade kulfi or the assorted fruit tart with cinnamon sauce.
Chocolate fans can indulge in the rich dark and white chocolate mix of the double chocolate mousse while the less adventurous can settle for the date pan cake topped with ice cream.
