If you are in the posh and chic Khan Market in Delhi and looking for a decent place to dine, drop in at the good old Chonas, on No.51, first floor. The reason is, the restaurant, with all its good food has also just revamped itself to add a brand new look. The décor gives the impression of the Industrial Revolution complete with waiters in dresses that speak of the times. Divided into two floors, the ground area has the usual dining set up and the second floor, with its open balcony, offers a good option for a relaxed evening.
Chonas specialises in Chinese, Continental and North Indian cuisines. I stick to Chinese and Continental dishes this time. To start the meal, you can choose from eight variations of soups it offers each in vegetarian and non-vegetarian section. I opt for its chicken talumein soup to kick-start my gastronomic journey and not disappointed at all.
For appetisers, Chonas offers some nice veg and non-veg platters. Good to have an ensemble of the entire variations and served at one go. So I put my finger on the veg tandoori platter. It comes with the crispy roasted aloo stuffed with cashew nuts and cheese, veg hara kabab made of minced veggies deep fried in a pan (crispy but a bit oily, so don't use your hands to eat it); succulent boneless pieces of chicken tikka (thankfully, they are not as orange as you sometimes find in some Punjabi restaurants in Delhi) and fried prawns that come with a crispy golden crust (They are to die for!). I enjoy the platter with mint chutney and sliced onions.
Chonas is also popular for its chicken dim sums. So I try my hand at it and don't feel let down at all. After having a good round of appetisers, time is to move on to the main course and I go for a Chinese crispy chicken honey and dry chilli chicken to pair with prawn noodles. Must say, the crispy chicken honey has the right balance of sweetness. The dry chilli chicken is made in Schezwan style, high on spices but a perfect combination to have with the noodles.
In dessert, do try its chocolate truffle cake, soft and fresh.
