The Red Fort (Bar, Restaurant)
77 Dean Street, Soho, Soho, London, W1D 3SH
Cuisine: Indian
Average Price: £45
Tel: 020 7437 2115
| Email to The Red Fort | Website | Transport: Tottenham Court Road | Write review
The Red Fort Review
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I regard Indian food as a friend, a good friend. We’ve known each other for years. We meet up often; whether for a quiet night in, lounging in front of the TV, or for a weekend powwow with other likeminded mates.
Needless to say, I feel I know Indian food quite well. Or, at least, I thought I did up until one fateful Monday.
Entering The Red Fort in Soho I noticed my friend looked different. There was a distinct lack of the fluorescent lighting and tacky artefacts I know my friend to usually display, there were no goldfish trapped in a watery prison and no overly dominant sitar music blaring. Instead my friend was dressed in Mughal art and architecture, low lighting and was accessorised in hints of red for a bit of pizzazz. I liked his new outfit; it fitted him well.
I opened my menu, a force of habit more than a necessity. I know what my friend has to offer me. It’s just a case of choosing whether to have chicken or lamb madras. But wait, what’s this? It seems my friend has reinvented himself; there is no option of anything ‘curried’. How strange, how novel.
‘Ok,’ I thought, ‘I’ll humour him’.
I ordered the lightly spiced monkfish with ginger and saffron to start, my equally bemused guest choosing to order the Scottish salmon with mustard oil and red chilli. Both were accompanied by a few small naan breads and dips more sophisticated than the mango chutney so commonplace.
I liked my friend’s changes. Both dishes were executed with an art worthy of a Michelin star or any other star available in this universe. What other surprises did he have for me?
During the mains of Welsh lamb and basmati rice with spices and corn-fed chicken in a spicy brown onion, coriander and red chilli sauce, beefed up with a few sides of baby aubergines and sautéed spinach, my friend showed me that unbeknown to me, he has a sophisticated palate. If this is Indian food, I don’t know what the hell it is I’ve been eating for years.
Usually by this point of the evening others have come to visit my friend. These others are nicely intoxicated and rowdier than a room full of England fans who have just learned they’ve won the World Cup. They never showed. Instead, a circle of friends I never knew my friend to have filled the room; I indentified them to be a refined bunch.
A selection of sorbets finished off a perfectly spiced meal and I sat contentedly mulling over all the new things I’d learnt. The Red Fort was a friend, just not one I knew. I’ll be back to continue to get to know him better.
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Customer Reviews for The Red Fort
Average (based on 2 votes): 2
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The following customer reviews are not endorsed by Fluid London and are simply those of users who wish to publish their independent experiences of The Red Fort.
“Unlike many other Indian restaurant on almost all major streets in London, I was highly recommended this place by my friends. We had been there on a busy Friday evening and was quiet happy to get reservation at peak hours. Being Indian, I always had been fussy about quality of Indian food being served in eateries, but I couldn't find a better quality and taste we had at Red Fort.
The starters were amazing!! We ordered Hara Kebab, Soft Shell Crab, Hariyali Jhinga (prawns) and Lentil dumplings. All were very different in taste, presentation and style of cooking. Menu is well designed with a high quality selection of vegetables, meats, game and seafood. Starters priced between £6 – £12 is fair considering the portion size.
Our mains included in-house speciality Dumpukht Biryani (lamb) cooked in authentic Hyderabadi style, Lucknowi Murgh (spicy chicken curry), Awadhi Hiran (venison) are to find on menu in Indian restaurant, Saunfian Paneer Tikka (cottage cheese) and Subz Kofta (mix veg dumplings). All were very tasty, esp the biryani which was a total treat in a steaming pot.
Manager was very kind to allow us to take a copy of the menu signed by their head chef Azadur Rahman. it was our anniversary so thanks for the relic we received.
Desserts were a good selection of few hot and cold delicacies like Gulab Jamun, Mango Kulfi and Funky Pie.
Service was flawless and unobtrusive with adequate help coming in recommending dishes for an unforgettable evening. Well worth asking their opinion.
Wine list was very extensive covering almost all major wine producing countries. I was almost lost in such big selection and asked wine sommelier to help us out once again. Well, who could have chosen a white wine from Turkey, so perfect to start with and a red wine Marichal Reserve Tannat from Uruguay. Thank you so much for this wonderful experience. Hope to dine there soon.”
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Arti Pannu, London (3 years 5 months 13 days ago)
“I was completely by accident that I stumbled upon The Red Fort. I was in the area; hungry and looking for somewhere to eat, when I passed by the window which showed a swarm of bodies inside. Always a good sign in my book.
The staff were so lovely, finding me and my friend a table even though they were packed to the rafters.
Although the prices were more then I tend to spend at an Indian restaurant the food was more than worth it! Honestly, I was surprised at the innovative dishes The Red Fort offer! I even had desert (which I never do – the little Punky toy ice cream thing has never appealed) and rolled out of the restaurant very happy and vowing to return!
Find yourself in the area then go. Not in the area? Still go!”
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Carolina Engleman, Hackney (7 years ago)
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The Red Fort Opening Hours
| Monday: | 12:00pm - 3:00pm 5:30pm - 11:30pm |
Friday: | 12:00pm - 3:00pm 5:30pm - 11:30pm |
| Tuesday: | 12:00pm - 3:00pm 5:30pm - 11:30pm |
Saturday: | 5:30pm - 11:30pm |
| Wednesday: | 12:00pm - 3:00pm 5:30pm - 11:30pm |
Sunday: | Closed |
| Thursday: | 12:00pm - 3:00pm 5:30pm - 11:30pm |
Additional Information
- Cuisine Type: Indian
- Average Price: £45
- Dress Code: Smart Casual
- Website: Visit the The Red Fort website
- Group: (Independent/Freehouse)
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