Monsoon Bistro & Bar — Restaurant in Edmonton

To quote any episode of Master Chef, Monsoon Bistro is Indian food elevated to the next level. Attached to the Holiday Inn, it’s a well decorated restaurant with big tables and comfy chairs that’s worthy of a fine dining experience. Immediately attended to by a young friendly female server, we appreciated being asked if we had any questions about the menu and we observed a fully staffed restaurant where they all seem devoted to providing good service. Considering that’s almost unheard of in today’s sad generation of understaffed establishments with angry inpatient young people who hate their jobs, that alone makes Monsoon a standout.

But service is irrelevant if the food isn’t worthwhile and it’s clearly the star of the show. Serving Mughali as the regional style in Tandoori style, the menu is a bit different than your standard strip mall Indian joint and we heard the staff explaining to anyone unfamiliar with the dishes. Starting out with complimentary poppadoms that are perfectly airy and delicious, the chutneys are fresh, not watered down and served cold.

Despite the amazing menu, we usually stick to typical favorites. The butter chicken is possibly the best we’ve ever eaten and we’ve lived in Calgary, San Francisco, and Malaysia where one third of the population is Indian so that’s saying a lot. Advertised as “smoky”, the sauce is brilliantly rich and creamy with a beautiful orange red color and the chicken is charcoal infused. It’s served in a large bowl that highlights the large chicken pieces and presentation is beautiful.

The lamb biryani has large pieces of flavorful lamb and beautifully fluffy rice. Practically grease free, my stomach appreciated the healthier aspects but the flavor is also perfect.

The mango lassi was thick, sweet and delicious.

Naan is brought out in baskets with tongs and is such a perfect texture it’s like a small flatbread pizza. Soft and fluffy inside and perfect tandoori oven crust. And it’s much larger than most naan dishes with six large pieces.

Wanting one unfamiliar dish, we tried a shared plate of Hara Tawa Paneer which were circular and pan seared with a green filling of kale, spinach and coriander. Completely different than a standard paneer dish in deep gravy, they were light, crispy and delicious dipped in the poppadom relishes.

As it was my wife’s birthday, we asked about dessert and they brought out a complimentary large plate of cheesecake attractively served with some berry sauce and two servers sang happy birthday.

The finishing touch was the owner coming out to inquire how the meal was. Even if it sounds cheesy, we appreciate the little things that dining out used to include before inflation, pandemics and Gen Z service came along so we raved about the meal and promised a stellar review.

Coming in at less than $70, the price is perfectly reasonable and nothing is overpriced given the quality and service. Partnering with an ex chef from a Sorrento’s who trained the staff and chefs, the owner did a top notch job and I’d call easily it one of Edmonton’s top ten restaurants. We look forward to coming back to try...

Monsoon Bar & Bistro in Edmonton is highly regarded for its elevated Indian dining experience, blending traditional Indian flavors with a modern twist. Here's a review based on available information: Ambiance & Atmosphere: Monsoon Bar & Bistro offers a stylish and modern design, providing a sophisticated backdrop for a culinary journey. The decor features spacious seating, comfortable chairs, and a welcoming ambiance that aims to make guests feel valued. It's described as a contemporary bistro and bar, with a "Cha House" (tea house) and a signature bar. Reviewers frequently mention the "vibe" of the place, the "awesome music," and the elegant and inviting space. There's also a mention of a "massive patio," suggesting outdoor seating options. Food & Culinary Style: The cuisine at Monsoon is primarily Northern Indian, reflecting the upbringing of its owner, Goldie Hazrah, from Punjab. They emphasize using fresh, whole spices blended and toasted in-house, contributing to the rich flavors of cardamom, fenugreek, and cumin that are often present in their dishes. Highlights and Recommended Dishes: Complimentary Poppadoms and Chutneys: A welcoming start to the meal. Tandoori Oven Specialties: Their naan is perfectly cooked in a tandoor, and they feature "tandoor smoked" butter chicken, where the chicken is marinated and cooked in the tandoor before being added to the sauce. Other tandoor items include Alberta lamb tikka, tandoori jumbo prawns, and various kebabs. Hara Tawa Paneer: A unique twist on a classic paneer dish. Lal Maas: Lamb cooked in a rich gravy. Jumbo Prawns in creamy Cardamom-infused "Malai" sauce. Street-style Chicken in fresh Fenugreek. Punjabi-style Goat Curry (Bakra). Delhi wali Aloo Tikki: Crispy potato cakes filled with chickpeas. Crispy Brussels Sprouts. Vegetarian and Vegan Options: Monsoon is noted for having a very accommodating menu with many dishes for vegetarians, vegans, and those with lactose or gluten intolerance. Desserts: Complimentary desserts for special occasions are a thoughtful touch. Service: The service is consistently described as attentive, friendly, and provided by a fully staffed team, contributing to a welcoming and cared-for feeling for guests. Overall Impression: Monsoon Bar & Bistro aims to provide a full sensory experience, combining delicious food with wholesome hospitality. It's seen as a place that elevates the Indian culinary scene in Edmonton, offering classic favorites with a modern approach and a focus on high-quality ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. While some older reviews mention a reduced menu after a renovation, the food is still consistently praised for its deliciousness and authentic flavors. I agree to call it as a...

We went here for the 1st time. Wanted to try something new and special for our wedding anniversary dinner. When we arrived, we were greeted very nicely and seated in the lounge. We sat there for quite some time before being apporached by a server to take our order. We ordered our appetizers. After sitting in the lounge for a little bit. We didn't like it so we were asked to move to the dining room. Which was accommodated with no issues. However, none of the servers came by to check up on us how we were doing. Our server then brought our appetizers and our drinks. But we noticed that the Appetizers did not have any sort of sauce or chutney. We ordered the krispy califlower and the crispy fish appetizer. The server did not stick around to take our dinner order left immediately and abruptly after setting down the appetizers. The taste of the appetizers was ok there was nothing special it lacked flavor. I felt like if we had some sort of sauce or chuntey me with it, it might have helped with the taste. During this time no one came to check up on us. It was almost like we were being ignored. Finally the server came back to take our dinner order. Once the dinner arrived the taste was better than the appetizers. We were satisfied but we weren't thrilled with the entire experience. It was our anniversary dinner and it did feel a bit disheartening. It was our first time there. We experienced it but I don't know if we'll go back. My advice to the staff would be to be more attentive to customers especially the ones that are new to your restaurant. And also to maybe serve some sauce with the appetizers that require it. We also noticed that we were there during happy hour and our drinks. Even though they were mocktails did not have a discount. The menu stated that any sort of cocktail would have a discount. And we also noticed that the happy hour menu for shareables was supposed to have a discount. But our receipt didn't show any discount. While sitting in the restaurant. I did not take off my jacket because it was extremely cold in there. That might be something you need...