Reviewing Rubina's Replacement Red Fort

Runbina Tandoori was one of the best Indian places in Vancouver - it was my default place to go whenever my palate leaned that way; however the owner retired at the end of March this year. We managed to get one last take out meal from there with our usual selection of dishes: chicken Makhani (aka butter chicken); naan bread; lamb Rogan Josh; saag panir; and some rice dish, (___ pulao) with generous amounts of saffron and dried fruit.

However, some new folks took over Rubina's location and have an Indian restaurant newly dubbed Red Fort. From the interior decor, very little has changed and even the large chalkboard drawing inside the main door mentioning a late night chai and dessert for a prix fixe has remained. One must conclude then that this was a nice straight takeover.

With the in-laws visiting, we thought we'd try them out; take out was just easier, so that's what we did.

The order was almost identical to the final Rubina meal: chicken Makhani; naan bread; lamb Rogan Josh; saag panir; and a mixed vegetable rice dish. Price was about the same as Rubina.

Overall, the food was acceptable, but the portions were much smaller. Three dishes plus rice and naan bread should feed four people comfortably, but there wasn't a crumb left after the meal was over and we all could have eaten more.

The saag panir was very good, and had a late hit of chili heat that was quite nice. The lamb and chicken dishes were satisfactory; nothing any decent Indian place couldn't do equally well. The rice was quite hot though; I like hot food just fine, but it was a lot spicier than the other dishes and overwhelmed the palate somewhat in contrast; we ordered everything "medium" hot. The naan was made a la minute, which is always nice.

How does Red Fort rate then? Overall, I'd say it was decent Indian food. The portions were small compared to their predecessor so you get less bang for the buck. On the whole, I would eat there again, but I'm still looking for my new default Indian place.