Indebleu’s recent makeover didn’t win over Post critic Tom Sietsema, who gave the venue one and a half stars. The old Indebleu ran as a nightclub-restaurant hybrid, but the host staff made an effort to change that in July by separating the party crowd from diners. Relaunched as "a contemporary American restaurant with Indian accents," the new incarnation sends each dish out to the table when it’s ready, encouraging family-style dining, which prompted Sietsema to write, "I'm all for spreading the wealth with those who share my table, but the reality is, in all my visits to the recast restaurant, the food came out appetizers first, albeit with epic pauses between the first and second courses."
Despite a revamped menu, Sietsema found that the new dishes missed the mark. In particular the quail, “puffed up like a blimp with minced chicken, vegetables, and pistachios, and resting on what appears to be a replica of the La Brea Tar Pits.” The vindaloo pork loin, he said, is “the food equivalent of Ethel Merman singing with Enya,” while the naan pizza was so doughy and cheesy that it “transported me to a Domino’s research kitchen.” Another complaint: Wine selections don’t match the style of the food.
What’s good about Indebleu, according to Sietsema, is that portion sizes are up and prices are down. Dishes like the duck meatballs continue to be on target. The tortellini, stuffed with bell peppers and paneer (an Indian cheese similar in texture to tofu), is the critic’s favorite, not to mention the least expensive at $17.
Despite a revamped menu, Sietsema found that the new dishes missed the mark. In particular the quail, “puffed up like a blimp with minced chicken, vegetables, and pistachios, and resting on what appears to be a replica of the La Brea Tar Pits.” The vindaloo pork loin, he said, is “the food equivalent of Ethel Merman singing with Enya,” while the naan pizza was so doughy and cheesy that it “transported me to a Domino’s research kitchen.” Another complaint: Wine selections don’t match the style of the food.
What’s good about Indebleu, according to Sietsema, is that portion sizes are up and prices are down. Dishes like the duck meatballs continue to be on target. The tortellini, stuffed with bell peppers and paneer (an Indian cheese similar in texture to tofu), is the critic’s favorite, not to mention the least expensive at $17.
