Red Fort Cuisine Of India — Restaurant in Meridian

On 8/16/24, we visited Red Fort Cuisine of India.

We ordered Fort Lime ($3.95) - sweetened homemade lime juice blended with club soda and spices. The rim of the glass was dusted with a mixture of fennel and mint. This drink is a variation of Shikanji a.k.a. Nimbu Pani, an Indian Lemonade made with lemons or limes. It was delicious and refreshing!

For our appetizer, we chose Assorted Snacks ($9.95) - vegetable samosa, vegetable pakora and chicken pakora. This is a great and budget friendly way to try all three of the appetizers on the menu. We enjoyed the appetizers.

We also ordered Papadums ($3.95), Mint and Tamarind Chutney ($1.75 each), and Cucumber Raita ($3.95). The Papadums and Chutneys were excellent! I enjoyed the Cucumber Raita,, but nothing I ordered was spicy enough to warrant using it.

KM ordered Chicken Makhani a.k.a. Butter Chicken ($16.95) - Chicken Makhani (Butter) - Tandoori chicken cooked with onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, cashews nuts, golden raisins,butter, cream and spices. KM ordered it Mild. I love Butter Chicken, but I don’t normally order it in restaurants because the recipe I use is far superior. Red Fort’s version was different than any Butter Chicken I’ve ever had. I would’ve preferred it a little more spicy, but it was creamy and delicious. This is a stand out dish that everyone must order!

I ordered Lamb Biryani ($19.95) - Basmati rice cooked with lamb, onions, garlic, ginger, cashew nuts, raisins, and spices served with a side of raita. I spent a lot of time explaining to our server that I wanted this entrée prepared the same way it would be in Mumbai a.k.a. the way the owners would prepare it for themselves. So, I was surprised by how mild this dish was.The color of the biryani, which is typically made with saffron rice, had a red hue. Though the spice level was not what I requested, the dish was flavorful. There were tender chunks of tender lamb sprinkled throughout, which were succulent.

We also ordered Baygan Bharta ($15.95) - Roasted eggplant cooked with green peas, onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, spices and a touch of cream. This was the only dish I didn’t care for. There was nothing wrong with it, but it doesn’t begin to compare to my favorite version of this dish, which is Trader Joe’s. By comparison, Trader Joe’s version is much more complex and flavorful.

Basmati rice came with our entrées. It was perfectly cooked. I liked the addition of cardamom.

We ordered Naan ($2.95) and Garlic Naan ($3.75). Naan is teardrop-shaped white flat bread baked in a tandoor. I didn’t get to try the Garlic Naan, but the regular Naan was excellent. KM was underwhelmed by the flavor of the Garlic Naan. 

We shared two desserts:

Kheer ($4.95) - cardamom-flavored rice pudding garnished with cashew nuts and golden raisins. This is the best version of this dessert that I’ve ever had. I liked that. It was not as runny as most. It was beautifully garnished, and it had a delightful flavor. If you like Kheer, which is an Indian rice pudding, you must order this. 

Mango Ice Cream ($5.95) - favorite homemade Indian ice cream made with Indian mango pulp, vanilla and cream. This dessert is Kulfi, not ice cream. KM and I both enjoyed this dessert, but it wasn’t what either of us expected, and it was very sweet.

One of the reasons for Red Fort’s success is they tone down their spice/heat level to accommodate the average American palate. If you don’t have much experience eating Indian food, you will be happy choosing Mild or Medium. The rest of us need to order Hot or Very Hot. The complexity of flavors and spice I associate with Indian food was lacking, but the dishes were all high-quality and you receive an excellent value for your money. For a little over $100, we ate like Mughal Emperors, and we brought home 5 boxes of food. All in all, KM and I thought it was a 4-star experience. We look forward to returning!

Highly Recommended!!!

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The newly unveiled Red Fort Cuisine of India at 1510 S Celebration Ave stands as a testament to the Meridian's burgeoning culinary diversity. One which I hope you will enjoy!

The Establishment: Nestled in the shell of a former sports pub (The Hideaway), this nascent establishment has tastefully embraced its predecessor's architectural legacy while infusing a serene Indian aura, chiefly heralded by the soothing Indian melodies that now grace the air.

Stepping into Red Fort, one is greeted by an array of authentic Indian aromas, guiding patrons on a sensory journey even before the first dish is served. The menu is a vibrant tapestry of traditional Indian fare, with each dish promising a thrilling and unique gastronomic adventure.

The Meal: A sip of the Rose Lassi sets a refreshing prelude, its subtle floral notes dancing gracefully on the palate. The culinary narrative progresses with a dive into the rich, creamy realms of the Chicken Makhani and Chicken Coconut Kurma. The Malai Kofta, with its soft texture and hearty sauce, plays perfectly in the narrative, offering a comforting embrace and soothing counterpoint.

The Peshawari Naan and Naan, fresh from the tandoor, were the perfect cohorts to the flavorful gravies of the dishes, providing a crispy, yet soft vessel to ferry the robust flavors of the mains.

The Service: Service was nothing short of attentive. The staff ensured that water, served in elegant stemware, was in constant supply, and the presentation of the requested citrus (lime) on a plate of ice was a thoughtful touch. Despite the bustling lunch hour, there was no hurried atmosphere; guests were given the leisure to savor their meal, a gesture that resonates with the Indian hospitality ethos.

The Curious: A notable absence was the customary table condiments like chutney, a minor oversight that I feel barely dents the overall exquisite dining experience.

The Verdict: Red Fort Cuisine of India has made a grand entry, deserving a hearty applause and a well-earned 5-star rating. It's not just a restaurant; it's a promising voyage into the rich tapestry of Indian culinary tradition, right here in the heart of Meridian.

The Disclaimer: No compensation was taken and the opinions expressed here are my own. As always, your experience may vary based on the time/day of the week should you decide to visit this establishment. Wishing you a...

Beyond great!! It’s about time we got some real Indian food in Boise. I spent much of my childhood in Singapore where authentic Indian food can be find on nearly corner. It was a difficult reality for me to face when I realized I wasn’t going to find that here - UNTIL NOW.

One look at the menu and you know this place isn’t messing around. The menu is full of authentic Indian dishes. I immediately ordered a Lassi - a traditional yogurt based drink - in the Rose flavor. This was reminiscent of another rosey drink, Bandung (IYKYK). It’s basically its sister who’s a lil thicker. It wasn’t incredibly sweet, much more tart. AND IT’S DELICIOUS. If you’ve never had Lassi, you gotta try it! The rose flavor might not be for everyone so I’d recommend ordering the other offerings, Mango or Strawberry.

Next, I ordered the Murgh Makhani, or Butter Chicken, spice level hot. It was beyond delicious. Tender Tandoori chicken covered in rich, creamy, tomato base with a blend of spices was like a symphony of flavors! Also, I have mad respect for a restaurant whose heat level actually satisfies my extreme tolerance for heat. It was perfection, but next time I’m trying their “Extra Hot” level to put these tastebuds to the test.

My husband also stuck with Chicken, choosing the Tikka Masala, medium heat. It was absolutely phenomenal. Again, a wonderful infusion of Indian spices. Whereas my dish came with thin cut strips, his was served with big chunks of juicy chicken. It was a wonderfully prepared dish and I enjoyed the couple nibs I was able to steal.

Additionally we ordered two sides of Naan, one plain and one garlic. They are generously sized and tasted so good dipped in sauce! They were the perfect amount of fluffy and chewy. The garlic naan was in fact garlicy and some of the best I ever had.

We finished off our spectacular meal with Kheer, or cardamom rice pudding. It’s so good. They use just enough cardamom to deliver a mild peppery and citrusy zing.

From what I learned, Red Fort is a small chain that started in Utah and now has three locations in the state. This is their first in Idaho and fourth overall.

The service was wonderful - everyone is so nice! My husband and I had a spectacular dinner and we’ll be coming back very soon! Most likely within...