Indigo Palette
Finally back in the land of corn and beans from my trip to Nashville, I met up with the rest of the folks at another 4th Street staple. Looking to add a little culture to our dining experience, we aimed for Indigo Palette. This little joint not only serves as a restaurant, but an art gallery as well, displaying local pieces and making them available for purchase to the public.
The view right when you walk the front door pretty much describes the place, as it’s mixture of artistic elements all melted together to create a relaxing getaway from the everyday bustle of city life. Looking around, it was interesting to see the stark contrast in the pieces on the wall; ranging from bright, colorful pieces, to simple black and white portraits. The price tags one the pieces also seemed to reflect the depth of the work, as several paintings within plain sight valued over $500. Fortunately, the menu wasn’t as pricey as the wall decor. We were advised to start with the coffee, and at the waitress’s advice, I ordered “The Climax.” The coffee flavor coupled with the caramel creamer blended well, making it a delightful treat.
Our appetizer of choice was the mozzarella bites and sauteed tomatoes, which also worked rather nicely together. The texture of the cheese was nothing to write home about, but the flavor is what matters after-all, and that was delightful. The balsamic vinaigrette added a whole new layer of taste, and along with the lightly baked Italian bread, all tied together nicely.
The Indigo Burger
I chose to stick to what I knew, and ordered the biggest hunk of beef I could find. “The Indigo Burger,” clearly named after this particular restaurant, took about a half hour to make, but due to the size of our group, there was no reason for me to groan about a few extra minutes for a self-titled sandwich. With a little time, this burger proved to be well worth the wait. The old school bun was a pleasant change from the typical McDouble, and the fresh cut tomatoes and onions added a juicy splash into the equation. I was extremely pleased with the burger, as the meat was very clearly homegrown in the Midwest. The extra toppings of bacon, cheese, and onion proved to be exactly what the doctor ordered, giving this little morsel a kick of southern comfort, even though I’ve left the South behind.
Onion Chips
The side order I selected was the onion ships: seemingly thick, flat, onion ring style slices. The flavor was outstanding, although the hunks of onion used were a little too thick and large. I’d still rate them as well above average, however.
Double Chocolate Brownie
The final phase of the meal was dessert, and this place did NOT disappoint. I ordered a double chocolate brownie, and although I boxed up half my burger to take home with me, I suddenly discovered that without even thinking about it, I had inhaled the entire dish. The warm, moist brownie was perfectly accented by the classic taste of vanilla ice-cream and cool whip. My review: while the overall atmosphere wasn’t necessarily my style, I’d definitely return to Indigo Palette. The people were friendly, and the food was outstanding.