SHAHI FLAMES
Neighbourhood: St Boniface
Address: 208 Marion St
Phone: 204-306-8000
Entrees: $13 – $28
In the heart of St. Boniface, Shahi Flames is an elegant addition to Winnipeg’s growing South Asian food scene, emphasizing the richness and diversity of Indian cuisine. Despite opening in March 2020 amid a challenging time for restaurants, the eatery has steadily earned a loyal following.
From the moment you step inside the 72-seat eatery the ambiance sets a tone of understated elegance, with moody wallpaper and cozy booths decorated with accent pillows. Despite its brazen branding on the outside, the space feels slick and inviting. The enticing display of sweets greets diners as they walk in, offering a tempting preview of the delicious offerings to come.
The menu is equally captivating, offering both familiar and unexpected dishes that invite newbies and aficionados on an exciting dining adventure. While classics like butter chicken and tikka masala are staples on the menu, a variety of lesser-known dishes will surprise and delight diners.
Appetizers, like the lemon mustard prawns, subtly highlight the influence of a common pantry spice, by adding a delicate bitter bite of mustard seeds to tangy lemon dressing. While samosas and pakoras are popular choices, papri chat—a savoury, tangy dish combining crisp wafers with chickpeas, yogurt, and tamarind chutney shouldn’t be missed.
The focus on tandoori is particularly noteworthy, appearing in a variety of dishes that showcase the versatility of this ancient cooking method. Tandoori chicken, served as a hearty entrée, is marinated in aromatic spices and roasted to smoky perfection. Tandoori salmon salad, offering a lighter option, features pieces of oven baked salmon paired with fresh greens, for a satisfying lunch for one.
Lamb curry, simmered in spiced tomato gravy is divine. The dish’s intoxicating aroma whets the appetite for the tender morsels of meat affirming its rightful status as a crowd favourite. The signature dish demonstrates the restaurant’s deftness in satisfying cravings as much as excite those looking to venture beyond the “usual suspects”.
Whether your feast ends with famous gulab jamun or novel gajrela, a sweet memory of a memorable meal is assured. Shahi Flames offers a refined yet accessible exploration of Indian cuisine that has earned its place as a must-visit spot in Winnipeg’s South Asian dining scene.
