Indigo:
Setting The Mood In Huntington
By Pete & Mike/ foodie@longislandernews.com
Indigo, the color first named by Sir Isaac
Newton in 1672 when he passed a beam of sunlight through a
prism, breaking white into seven different colors, has been
glowing brightly in Huntington for the past two years.
Indigo is also the name of the upscale eatery created by
owner Gary Cicerello, a long-time Huntington resident who
recently played a key role handling marketing and promotions
for the Huntington Chamber of Commerce. Cicerello, who has
spent much of his adult life in the restaurant industry, likes
to explain that the name is a reference to the blue color
used to dye Levi’s jeans – an invention as American
as, well, Indigo’s menu.
A chic, stylish eatery reminiscent of Manhattan’s West
Side, Indigo comfortably brightens the parking lot off Gerard
Street in Huntington Village. A fun décor with four
very large geometric abstract squares – we’re
told hiding sound absorbing material – painted in blue
with yellow highlights dominate the wall of the lower level
of the bi-level space. The long, narrow restaurant is themed
in blue and yellow with high-backed semicircular banquettes
that visually enhance the lower level and complement the wainscoting,
yellow tablecloths and painted tin ceilings. Indigo also has
a separate beautiful bar area with subtle purple -- or is
that indigo -- glows. Highly stylized but very comfortable
is our lasting impression from multiple visits to this Huntington
fine food establishment.
On each of our visits we found the wait staff to be pleasant,
young but professional. They provide a relaxed atmosphere
but not too light for serious food. As soon as they attentively
seat you -- prior to drinks ordered from an impressive but
fairly priced all American wine list or perhaps from the list
of creative $10 martini specials -- a basket arrives with
three varieties of rolls and seed-laden flatbread accompanied
by herbed butter.
The real show is the food. Like the wine, the food is American
– but, with a creative twist. For appetizers we had
the wonderfully flavored bacon wrapped dry sea scallops ($12)
with wilted baby spinach, mustard bread crumbs, aged sherry
vinegar and as Rachel Ray would say e.v.o.o. – extra
virgin olive oil; and a special offering of shrimp tempura
with an avocado aioli sauce – delicious while sweet
and piquant at the same time, and served with an extra spicy
dipping sauce on the side.
We’ve sampled the outstanding crispy calamari ($9)
with a chili remoulade; glorious tiger wrapped shrimp napoleon
with grilled eggplant, marinated tomatoes, parmesan mayo and
basil oil; pei mussels ($10) in a sherry broth, sweet peppers,
onions and just the right bite of chorizo sausage –
bravo!
We’ve yet to try any of their four pastas selections
available as appetizers ($10-12) or full orders ($19-23) but
they all sound intriguing – the bell flower pasta with
wild boar sausage, caramelized fennel & leeks, baby arugula
or the lobster & roasted baby artichoke ravioli in mushroom
infused lobster broth both tempted us to stray from our (OK,
somewhat flexible) low-carb regimen.
The main course is indeed the main event at Indigo with choices
across the entire spectrum. This time it was the caramelized
dry sea scallops with black barley & English peas in a
shellfish saffron bouillabaisse ($25) and a special of Black
Bass, crispy-skinned, simply seasoned and served with a soft
polenta and grilled veggies.
Obviously, we were so taken with the food that our notes wound
up incomplete and we foolishly waited too long. We could have
called the restaurant and checked, but often in this newspaper
business, we’re writing while the rest of the world
sleeps – even those folks who man the late night weekend
bar at Indigo when it is always hopping with an interesting
mix of locals.
On previous visits we’ve had a beautifully prepared
seared yellow fin tuna in a spicy chili plum glaze served
with a cilantro and carrot fried rice, sautéed sugar
snap peas ($25). And our favorite comfort food, Indigo’s
meatloaf – it is beyond compare. All natural, hormone-free
ground sirloin with truffle potato salad and sautéed
asparagus ($19), all just like grandma used to make. (If grandma
was Zagat-rated!) OK, any superb meatloaf takes us back to
our childhood and well, just makes us smile.
You must leave room for dessert – even when being careful,
like us. From the selection of $8 goodies we chose to split
the peanut butter chocolate torte with caramel sauce –
incredible! New to the menu, a crème brulee trio is
a tasty sampler, beautifully presented. In the past we’ve
had others which weren’t on the menu this visit (and
if the Foodies have any clout, you’ll see the return
of the molten chocolate cake return to the menu) but the desserts
are always a creative treat to end your visit to Indigo, without
feeling blue.
A $29 three course prix fixe menu is available all night
Sunday through Thursday and is a very cost effective way of
having an expensive, sophisticated dining experience without
a pain in the pocket. You must remember to ask for it. Indigo
is an absolute must for any fun-loving, serious foodie.
Indigo is always a way to color us happy.
Indigo American Grille
70 Gerard St
Huntington NY 11743
631-424-7757
www.indigoamericangrille.com
Cuisine: New American
Price range: Expensive
Bargain: Prix fixe $29 three course dinner all night Sunday
thru Thurs.
Hours: Mon – Sat, 5pm to 10pm; Sun, 5pm to 9pm; lounge
open late
Main
Menu
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