Page 24 - 01-Jan-Feb-2025

“
 I WANT TO OFFER
DIFFERENT THINGS
SO PEOPLE CAN
EXPERIENCE ALL
THE DIFFERENT
FLAVOURS.”
— PARUL RAI, JUNOON LOUNGE
“The neighbourhood is diverse; you can
see it in our school and with the offerings of
food here. We like living here,” Rai says of the
food community that counters my expecta-
tion of the suburban area, nestled amongst
the chain stores and empty fields yet to be
developed.
Our next course is chicken tikka, with
a hanging skewer of Afghani and tandoori
chicken (it’s an either/or option on the
menu) dripping juicy flavours over
marinated cubes of paneer. We admire the
presentation for a moment, and I’m wary of
disrupting the colourful work of art in front
of me. House-made condiments, a fresh
sweet-spicy salsa and mint chutney, come
alongside. Each taste contrasts the last.
Rai observes the dining room, making
instructions as needed, and explains the
inspiration for each dish. Her husband,
Manvinder, who was once a commercial
pilot, runs the back of the house while she
maintains the front. Her previous career
was in jewellery design, hinted in the gold
embellishments over the bar and rich olive-
coloured sofas in the bright shiny room. It’s
elegant without being over the top and I
imagine with the lights lowered it would be
a sexy, cozy evening spot.
“We’ve been lucky to travel and try all
kinds of things,” Rai says of the flavours
and experiences she wants to share with
Edmonton diners.
A final course arrives — bright yellow rice,
with delicate saffron threads from Spain
artfully laid on top to go with shahi paneer,
Junoon style (more savoury than sweet)
butter chicken and Dhaba chicken. The
Dhaba chicken, she tells me, is something
one would find at a roadside eating spot in
northern India. It’s a savoury, rich and chunky
curry that is fragrant and filling. Each bowl is
presented with pretty greens and garnishes.
The restaurant is run by the family
and talented staff, including “insightful
observations from the kids,” Rai says, but
it is certainly elevated from the typical
mom-and-pop kind of place, with its
marble floors and careful lighting.
Junoon is a jewel added to Edmonton’s
crown of foodie restaurants, and it’s
succeeded in bringing something new to
our food scene.
The neighbourhood doesn’t have to go
far for a great night out and the rest of the
city should make this corner of Edmonton
into the new eating destination. ED.
24 EDify. JANUARY • FEBRUARY.25