Junnoon Restaurant

Name: Junnoon Restaurant
[see below for location & Web site]
Date & Time visited: Saturday, June 9, 2007, 9:30 PM
Guests: Lani, Alex, Jennifer and me
What we had: "Lemonito" pitcher (Jen and me), Coriander Fennel Chicken bites (Jen and me--appetizer), Tapioca/potato fritters (Alex and Lani--appetizer), Goat cheese Naan, Black Pepper steak (Jen), Prawns in coconut mustard sauce (Alex, me--separate portions), Rice flaked sea bass (Lani).

Jen had ordered a different nonalcoholic beverage that it turned out they were out of, so we got a pitcher of "Lemonito" to share; it's basically a nonalcoholic Mojito with Sprite in place of rum. Lani had club soda and Alex stuck with water.

We shared the appetizers around the table and both were quite good. They were each served with a different sauce, one minty and the other a bit spicy. Unfortunately both were heavily laden with cilantro so Jen couldn't enjoy either one. The goat cheese naan was warm and soft and cheesy.

I didn't try Jennifer's black pepper steak (it was a bit odd to find a steak on the menu at a supposedly Indian restaurant, but it's more Indian-fusion with emphasis on the fusion) but she said it was very good; she wasn't as thrilled with the potatoes. Alex and I both enjoyed our prawns in coconut mustard sauce, and I especially liked the flavorful charred bits that flaked off the tails. I neglected to ask Lani how she liked her rice flaked sea bass, but she finished it so it couldn't have been too bad.

We passed on dessert as the kitchen was about to close.

Service: Good but a little odd. Our initial server described the specials and answered questions, and then introduced another guy who would be taking over for the rest of the meal. Okay, we figured, he's done with his shift and going home. No, he was still working other tables and even helped serve our table. Maybe our guy was on break when we were seated? No real problem, anyway.

Would we go back: Yes.