Vermilion Infusion

The idea behind Chicago hotspot Vermilion was owner Rohini Dey’s desire to create a contemporary, innovative version of Indian cuisine. A fan of authentic Latin food, especially Brazilian and Peruvian, she was struck by the myriad of similarities between the geographically separate cuisines. Armed with a distinct vision, she began methodically creating dishes that fused together
cooking sensibilities from both cultures.

Two years later, Vermilion has become a requisite Chicago dining experience. As the city’s first ever Indian-Latin fusion restaurant, its popularity has grown with its mounting press coverage and the heaps of accolades thrown at it by critics and patrons alike. With a convenient downtown location, most evenings will find the spacious restaurant packed with a dressed up, energetic crowd that ranges from sophisticated businessmen to the young, bar-hopping set. The summer months mean that the outdoor patio will also be equally bustling. Friday nights, the restaurant transforms into a lounge with a DJ spinning hot Latin track. The restaurant is also known to host events and parties for companies, as well as more traditional Holi and Diwali ceremonies and wedding
receptions. According to manager Lindsay, “People bring their friends here in order to impress them.”

A quick look at the décor reveals why. In line with her goal of modernity, Rohini eschews kitsch in favor of subtle Indian and Latin undertones. You won’t find any sandalwood elephant statues here nor will your conversations compete with flashy, Bollywood film songs. Instead, take a glance at the large wooden husk tastefully filled with Latin American glass fixtures. Adorning the walls are 20 black and white photographs by
contemporary Indian fashion photographer Farrokh Chothia. The images evoke femininity and beauty but above all, elegance. Vermilion’s color palette is a combination of black and white, with refreshing splashes of bright red arranged throughout the restaurant. The dimly lit room draws attention to the candles at each table, creating an upscale, refined ambiance. Sounds of cutting edge fusion music lend an easy, laid back vibe. And while your table is being prepared, rest easy on the plush, black and white couches and chairs near the entryway or grab a drink at the beautifully carved wooden bar. Even waiting can be a charming experience here.

Prepared by executive chef Maneet Chauhan, the food is of course the main draw at Vermilion. The restaurant’s signature dishes include Tandoori Skirt Steak, prepared with sautéed garlic spinach and fried plantain chips, Lobster Portuguese, a traditional dish stewed in clove-garlic-cardamom gravy and served with coconut rice, and another favorite, Mysore Lamb Chops, one of the many inventive and by now famous fusion tapas offered at the restaurant. With names like chocolate aphrodisiac avocado and mango cardamom flan, the desserts prove to be just as original as the main courses. For those wishing to steer a safer course, there is also Vermilion Hedonism, a rich, decadent chocolate molten cake. Tapas range from $8-$12 and entrees from $16-$34. There is also a prix-fixe lunch menu.

But what Rohini prides herself greatly on is her restaurant’s constant creativity. Despite their success, Vermilion continues to evolve, experimenting with and updating its many dishes. In May, it introduced a deeper bolder new menu. “While we kept around five of our core dishes, 90 percent of it is new and reflects the maturity of our restaurant,” Rohini said, explaining the menu. Most noticeably, there is now a new section, Heat, which contains strictly authentic Indian dishes. A great destination for those who’ve never eaten there, Vermilion can now also offer a new experience for others longing to make a return trip.
-Ann John