Frequently, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s always-hungry reporter has lunch at a local restaurant and tells you about the experience.
By ANON E. MUSS, Journal Services
I used to live on India Street.
That’s the closest I’ve been to the country of India. I’ve never had a desire to visit, and frankly, don’t know much about Indian culture.
However, for a couple of years, I’ve noticed a sign for Indigo Indian Bistro (3950 Youree Drive. Ste: 200). If I wasn’t writing reviews for you, our valued reader, I would never consider having lunch at an Indian restaurant. However, in an effort to expose you, and me, to a new world, I invited a friend to join me on a recent Thursday.
While its address isn’t hard to find if you type it into your GPS, locating Indigo is like looking for the Holiday-In-Dixie treasure. You might be in the right area, but will have to look hard to find the prize. The restaurant occupies a small space at the very end of a strip mall, next to a residential area.
Walking in at 12:50, I found the space to be very modern, with only tables (no booths). It was a little concerning we were the only customers, although by the time we left, a few people had come and gone. A gentleman named Bhatia greeted us, and basically said we could sit anywhere we liked. He was very attentive throughout our meal, refilling our water glass often – without ice. Later, a google search found serving water without ice is customary at many Indian restaurants, especially in India. The reasons are for cultural preferences, and concerns about water safety, as ice often comes from tap water.
For dinner, you can order off Indigo’s menu. However, at lunch, there is only one option—a buffet. That added to the intrigue, as even if my friend and I knew what we were eating, we would not know the food’s description. Unfortunately, I can’t say that we knew what we were eating. The writing on most of the buffet placards was either smeared, unreadable, or unexplainable. So, I asked Bhatia to tell us the name of each serving. He did, but did not offer many details. So basically, we were flying blind. When it comes to eating, that’s not the best feeling.
I do know there were two kinds of rice, two kinds of lentil (I had to ask for a bowl), several types of chicken, and pork meat balls. There were also some vegetables and potatoes.
There was a salad bar, but the only reason I know that is because I saw someone – obviously someone who was not a first-time visitor – open the top of a metal container. I went over to see what was in the container, and found the usual salad bar ingredients. There was no sign, or no mention, of a salad bar.
I could fill a lot of space writing words. But to be respectful of your time, I will keep my thoughts on the food short and sweet. Nothing I ate – and I mean nothing – had any taste whatsoever. There wasn’t one thing I ate which triggered my taste buds. For example, my friend and I were served a basket of what we were told was garlic bread. However, neither of us tasted any hint of garlic. In addition, the food was cold. All of it. Cold, bland food is not a good recipe.
While my friend thought the two types of rice were good (“They weren’t too dry.”), that’s about the most favorable comment he had. While I was unhappy the food wasn’t warm, my friend, who has eaten Indian food before, was disappointed it wasn’t more spicy.
“I would not have minded if it would have been more stereotypical of Indian food,” he said. “A little hotter. A little spicier. A little more challenging to bear, just for some variety.”
My friend thought the restaurant missed an opportunity to gain a couple of new customers.
“There was a great spread of food. If anyone left hungry, that’s their own fault.”
We didn’t leave hungry – we visited the buffet twice – but did leave disappointed. I can’t say the food was bad, because – and I can’t stress this enough – it didn’t have any taste. So, I can’t say the food tasted bad. I felt like I had paid to go to a movie which had a boring plot, C-list actors, and third-grade dialogue, and left without having any understanding of what I just saw.
The cost of our meal, which included $1.38 for paying with a credit card, was $35.98. I assumed that number included tax, as there was no tax amount specified on the receipt.
Frankly, I felt it was $35.98 wasted.
I give Indigo Indian Bistro Two Forks. Not because Indian food isn’t my kind of food. I still don’t know if it is or isn’t. And that’s why I’m giving it Two Forks. I would return, but only if someone else is paying – and if I could not talk them into going somewhere else.
1 Fork: Would rather eat a box of dirt
2 Forks: Will return, but only if someone else is buying
3 Forks: Will return and look forward to it
4 Forks: Will return and go out of my way to do so
Is there a restaurant you would like the Journal to visit for lunch?
Email SBJRestaurantReview@gmail.com.
