A 'Red Hot' New Restaurant Comes To Town

Rakesh Tondon knows he’s stepping into big shoes as he prepares to open his new Indo-Asian restaurant Thursday.

 The space – now transformed into a modern downtown eatery of bright red and slate gray tones – had been occupied by the San Carlos institution known as Vic’s, a restaurant beloved by many.

Tondon had known for some time he wanted to open a restaurant and had been scouting the Peninsula for months. He had been close to opening in Mountain View when he noticed the space that used to be Vic’s.

 “There have been a lot of people walking through these doors asking about Vic’s,” he said.

The new spot will be called “Red Hot Chili Pepper,” a sleek looking fusion restaurant slated to become a regional chain, according to Tondon, as they already have plans to open one in San Francisco.

 The menu offers Konjee Cripsy Lamb, Hunan Chicken, Vegetables in Manchurian Sauce, and Daarsan ala Mode, a crispy flattened noodle dessert, tossed with honey and sugar.

 “We wanted to open a great Asian inspired restaurant and didn’t believe the void had been filled yet in San Carlos,” said Tondon. “It seemed the perfect place.”

 Google “Vic’s Restaurant San Carlos” and you’ll see many reviews of lifelong patrons in agony over its closing, along with a list of results, the first of which saying, “Vic’s – CLOSED, San Carlos, CA.”

 Opened in 1976 by Vic and Russ Balushian, the brothers became known as a staple luncheon spot for those who frequented the city’s downtown.

 In 2008, the brothers sold to Iman Azad, who, along with his company Chaz Holdings, Inc., had agreed to pay the brothers, who retained ownership of the building, $12,500 per month in rent.

  “Had I put it out of business, I would feel bad, but that’s not what happened. Hopefully this business will endure the same way Vic’s did and create it’s own legacy.”