Flash player is required to view weather conditions. Download

Looks can be deceiving as one enters Red Onion Cafe in Monroe. At first glance, the restaurant, which used to be a hotel whiskey cellar, appears to be a bar, and one expects the food to include the typical bar fare. While burgers and appetizers and a full array of cocktails are available, the restaurant menu is made up mostly of creative sandwiches, homemade soups and gourmet dinner entrees.

"We are a unique restaurant that's homey, kid-friendly and more geared to the fine dining crowd, instead of the bar crowd," said Executive Chef Gary Henz. Henz has a prestigious culinary background — including a stint at the former Maisonette in Cincinnati.

"We're not a pretentious place, but all of our food is made from scratch, and we consider ourselves the best there is," said owner Mark Bursley.

Appetizers include Beer-Battered Onion Rings with a homemade dipping sauce, the Red Onion signature crab cake and Asian 5-Spiced grilled shrimp with Soy Aioli sauce.

Those who lunch can enjoy burgers made of 100 percent Angus Beef, as well as clubs, beer-battered Atlantic Cod and a variety of salads with homemade dressings. Daily lunch specials feature delectable treats like the crunchy shrimp roll up in a sun-dried tomato tortilla. The soup of the day includes anything from homemade chili with three beans and sausage to broccoli and cheddar.

Dinner entrees include the Red Onion Maryland Crab Cakes on sauteed Baby Spinach, with vegetables, a homemade Dijon Mustard Sauce and a house salad. All steaks at the restaurant are 100 percent Angus Beef, and there is seafood, lamb chops and a daily dinner entree.

The Red Onion Cafe holds a variety of special events throughout the year, with the annual chili cook-off taking place in March. (The event raises money for a group that aids abused and neglected animals while giving customers the chance to make and serve their best chili recipe.) The owners also hold a two-week food world tour each year, where they come up with different cuisines from different countries to be featured as the evening entree. Details on all special events can be obtained by signing up for the restaurant's monthly e-mail.

Red Onion Cafe caters food off-site and will put together menus to meet customer needs. Carry out and kids menus are available. Desserts are limited, but feature a variety of gourmet sweets.

How to go

WHAT: Red Onion Cafe

WHERE: 214 S. Main St., Monroe

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday

MORE INFO: (513) 360-0180

CRITIC'S CHOICES: Atlantic Cod Sandwich, Grilled Shrimp Wrap, Broccoli/Cheddar Soup