Indian vs Chinese vs Continental

Nothing about the cryptic ‘Chonas’ – the multi-cuisine restaurant at Khan Market suggests that it is the owner’s last name. It is among the few restaurants serving Indian along with Chinese and Continental in this posh market in Central Delhi.

This five year old outlet has a new retro theme, with steam pipes dominating interiors and waiters dressed in attire dating from the Victorian era! The place has more than its share of regulars and hence is not very quiet but the dimly lit ambience makes up for atmosphere. The menu includes six sections - soups, appetizers (barbeque), main course in Continental, Chinese, Sizzlers, Indian and Desserts.

The vegetarian appetizers include a Veg Tandoori Platter which has the usual paneer tikka, dahi kabab, veg hara kabab and tandoori aloo. The paneer tikka was regular and the tandoori aloo could have been crunchier. But Hara Kebab’s flavour was very impressive and so was its texture as it completely melted in the mouth. However, dahi kebab was a little rubbery and not up to the mark.

The non-vegetarian appetizers included Mix Meat Platter; Mix Chicken Platter and Mix Seafood Platter. Mix Chicken platter had interesting chicken tikka which wasn’t too spicy and works for the Indian palette but tangdi kabab was over-cooked and chicken malai tikka bland. Chonas also has a range of Continental appetizers including dimsums, dragon rolls, crispy vegetables and spicy mushrooms in vegetarian section and Drums of Heaven Hong Kong and Pepper Chicken in non vegetarian. The spicy mushroom were too spicy to be relished.

For the main course, Chona’s offers a choice between Continental, Chinese and Indian including their popular sizzlers. The Continental Main Course has Cheese Ball and Mix Veg. Sautee in vegetarian and regular Chicken and Sea Food dishes such as Grill Chicken, Chicken Roast, Chicken Pepper Steak and Grill Prawn, Fish and Chips and Fillet ò Fish Maison.

Their sizzlers include: Fish Fillet Sizzler (Sole Fish Fillet in Chilli Lemon Sauce); Chilli Chicken Sizzler, Chicken in Schezwan and Chicken Fillet Sizzlers (Minced Cutlet of Chicken Prepared in Sweet ‘N’ Sour Sauce) among others. The Chicken Fillet Sizzler was as good as any chicken dish is to an Indian. The Chinese main course section offering options in Poutry and Lamb was more appeasing with dishes cooked well especially Crispy fish in Oyster Sauce. The stir fried fish was succulent but the sauce cooked could have been better.

In the vegetarian section, the Chinese failed to impress with veg Manchurian, which was hard to chew. However, Paneer Korma in the Indian section was the best with chunks of cottage cheese melting in the mouth. Regulars to the place swear by the Amritsari Baigan also! Undoubtedly, Chonas remains the perfect place for foreigners who want to try Indian cuisine. In desserts, Honey Noodles with Ice Cream was not usual one but more than made up for the rest. Don’t be surprised if you are offered trial dishes such as chocolate mousse and fruit trifle which are anyday a better option than the ones in menu as they stand up to their true taste.