By Eileen Majors

 

[media-credit name=”MVL” align=”alignleft” width=”300″][/media-credit]We ventured out to the Red Onion Grill & Bar on the Lake Almanor Peninsula to see what’s new for the season. Two decks offer views of Almanor, as does the dining room. Every attention to detail is covered with their first rate service.  The ambiance of the rich, dark woods, intimate lighting and warm paint colors set the scene for an elegant dinner or casual dining with friends. There are many private tables and large places to celebrate with friends. A children’s coloring table is set up to make families feel welcome and truly enjoy their dining experience. A fire in the bar area kept everyone cozy while one couple shared a game of pool in the lounge.

The restaurant was filling up fast with all the folks who were returning to their lake homes for the summer. In the bar, others met for drinks and hors d’ oeuvres. I noticed the deep fried asparagus. Lightly dipped in a tempura batter and fried, it is my favorite appetizer. The dipping sauce adds the perfect touch. A Sausage Trio appetizer includes three fire-grilled artisan sausages served with mustard, horseradish, sauerkraut, pepperoncini and warm house bread. Enjoy a game on the big screen in the bar, which has its own separate deck, making it a perfect place to unwind.

[media-credit name=”MVL” align=”alignleft” width=”300″][/media-credit]The menu offers a delicious selection of fresh seafood like their Beer-Battered Shrimp and Mediterranean Salmon. This yummy selection of broiled, fresh Pacific Salmon fillet is encrusted in a mixture of garlic, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan, delivering amazing flavor.

Freshly prepared pasta dishes are now also available with gluten-free pasta. Each entree at Red Onion is served with your choice of their homemade soup of the day or house salad, and of course their delicious, freshly baked bread. Slowly roasted, Black Angus Prime Rib is juicy and flavorful.

Their fire-grilled homemade, half-pound Angus burger is set up with chipotle mayo, apple-wood smoked bacon with choice of cheese, including pepper jack or gorgonzola. For $11.95 it comes with fries, sweet potato fries or onion rings.

If you are a lover of fish tacos, try theirs, made with flaky catfish fried in a crispy beer batter. For $12.95, you get a choice of fries, or onion rings. Many entrees offer a grilled shrimp skewer on the side. The thick and tasty shrimp were sprinkled with a light blend of spices and perfectly grilled.

Owners Filip and Eva Laboda are adding more healthy choices to the menu this year, including a vegetarian flatbread served with hummus and salad. They also offer a nice selection of freshly made desserts each evening. We were offered a choice of coconut cream pie, lemon cheesecake or créme brulée. Find your way to the Red Onion this season, or any season! Make a reservation by calling 530-258-1800 or view their menu online at redoniongrill.com