Indigo by Vineet – Dubai Marina

I first visited Chef Vineet Bhatia’s Indigo at the Grosvenor House a year ago with my Welsh food buddy Bruce. Whilst we enjoyed our meal (4 Cobras and 6 double shots of Cîroc will ensure you enjoy just about anything) I remember not being awestruck nor overwhelmed by what is, let’s face it, a restaurant with Michelin star pedigree. A year later I find myself getting ready to visit Chef Vineet’s second restaurant in Dubai, Indya. So, I thought, let me go back to Indigo before visiting Indya so I can compare them back to back.

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Indigo is still one of the best designed Indian restaurants in Dubai. That said, it’s no longer alone at the top. Fine dining treasures such as Masti, the Mint Leaf and Trèsind (to name a few) all offer a similar (if not better) experience. The food at Indigo was better than what I remembered, but it’s still not what I’d consider Michelin worthy. Highlights of my meal include the Chaat Trilogy and Chicken Tikka Duki to start; the Goan Fish Curry and Butter Chicken were good but the masterpiece of the evening for me was the Rogan Lamb Shank. I also liked the Nawaabi Dum Murg (although I prefer my biriyani with mutton).

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Service is an area in-which Indigo claws its way back to the head of the pack; its staff are extremely well trained and professional. But are they friendly too? I suppose, yeah, in a slight stuck up sort of way. I enjoyed this second meal at Indigo but not in the same way I do at Masti or the Mint Leaf. For some reason I could not get comfortable at Indigo. I also felt it was grossly overpriced. Would I go back? Probably not but hey, that’s just me. If you’re in the area and looking for an arty-farty place to celebrate an occasion (from date night to impressing a business client) Indigo is definitely an option. Right, I’m off to try Indya.

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Xerxes physically dines at, or orders from, each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews or favouritism. What you have read was NOT influenced in any way by the venue. Join me on Instagram @ravenousxerxes or email me on xerxes@dellara.com.