From the moment you step into Cilantro Kittchen and Bar, you cannot ignore the striking interior. Jewel tones of emerald green adorn chairs and walls to create a warm, inviting atmosphere and a sense of elegance. The restaurant has room for a crowd, but a Thursday afternoon visit offered a rare stretch of quiet — and a hearty meal that left me full.
Cilantro rings true to its name with the generous amount of herb-focused drinks. There was everything from the Cilantro Chaska (a cilantro, ginger and mint-based vodka-lemonade infusion) to the Cilantro Special (a strawberry, lime, basil, vodka-lemonade brew) and even a Cilantro Caesar (with Indian green chillies). My friend and I opted for the Punjabi Mango Lassi — a frothy blend of mango and dahi (yogurt) over ice. Though a refreshing choice, it almost filled us up before the appetizers came out. Alas, we carried on!
To start was the Paneer Pakora — one of the 11 vegetarian appetizer options — a house-made cheese stuffed with mint encased in a crispy fried batter. The soft, mild paneer was a perfect pair to its salty coating. For dipping, it was accompanied by green and tamarind chutneys. Though we were only at the beginning of our journey, this was the standout dish.
As a certified butter chicken-lover, I felt this was a great opportunity to branch out beyond my typical go-to — though it is so good. I asked the server what their most popular dish is (besides butter chicken) and she recommended the chana masala. Since it came without rice, I chose the coconut rice, unsure if it would be the right combination. It was.
Both bowls were generous portions. The chana masala is a sapid mixture of soft sautéed chickpeas, in a tomato broth with an array of spices — onion, garlic, chiles, ginger and more. And though it’s an Indian staple, the broth reminded me of my mom’s famous soup, so I felt right at home.
I was glad to have gone with the “mild” spice option, as the mixture of spices in the dish was tangy enough — the server did warn us the “medium” probably wasn’t the spice level we were expecting. Translation… it’s too hot for you. I’m glad I listened.
The star of the entree, however, was the rice. Made with coconut milk, the rice is extremely fluffy, and with shreds of coconut nestled throughout, the flavour was as rich as the scent.
Coated in elegance, Cilantro blends classic Indian flavour with an elevated twist. To quote their drink menu, Cilantro’s flavours are “a love letter to the diverse tastes and traditions of India.” They’ve got it right.
Cilantro Kittchen and Bar
Chappelle | 8985 Carson Way SW, Edmonton | 587.855.3317 | cilantrokittchenandbar.ca
