Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

Indo knows how to do sushi right

Sushi now has rock star status on the Grand Strand.

You can find it at restaurants of various sorts and at supermarkets. The abundance of it, however, doesn't diminish the fact that some sushi isn't sensational. At some places, you can tell the fish isn't as fresh as it could be and the rice is dry, instead of sticky.

Indo does sushi, and other dishes, right. As soon as you walk through the door, you will come face-to-face with the sushi bar to the right. Fresh ahi tuna, octopus, white tuna, salmon and an array of other sushi ingredients are displayed. The possibilities are vast, and the sushi chefs will even make roll combinations that are not on the menu. I tried a spicy tuna roll with cream cheese after I overhead another customer ordering it that way. I wasn't disappointed either. The spicy tuna has heat to it that isn't overwhelming and meshes well with the cool of the cream cheese.

The spicy tuna roll sans cream cheese is just as excellent. Actually, I have never had a roll at Indo I didn't like. Every roll I have tried is grand, but other menu items are just as wonderful, too. The beef tataki is really good and should be pleasing to those who prefer beef. Since I prefer fish, I usually just order sushi rolls or the spicy tuna salad. This is a chunky tuna salad with ahi tuna, diced cucumber, avocado and a slightly hot vinegar sauce. It's absolutely delicious and filling. On the menu, it is listed as an appetizer but it can be eaten as a meal. Other appetizers include Thai spring rolls, curry puffs (with ground chicken, sweet potatoes and yellow curry) and sesame chicken wings.

The selection of entrees at Indo is nearly as diverse at its sushi and sashimi choices. The specialties highlight Thai meals featuring fish, chicken, beef and other meat. The sizzling duck is actually roasted before it is fried up crispy and served up with seasonal vegetables and your choice of sauce, including honey ginger or red curry. The portion size is more than ample, and if you order this dish, you will certainly be able to take half of it home. The duck is flavorful and cooked just right, with crispy skin with crunch similar to fried chicken.

Curry lovers will find they can order beef, chicken and tofu in dishes with red curry, yellow curry and other versions of the beloved spice. Hibachi fare is also at Indo. Rib eye steak, filet mignon, chicken, jumbo shrimp, tuna and lobster are among the choices. The hibachi meals, although not typical in taste, offer the basic sides of fried rice and vegetables. Basically, Indo pleases my palate. The only dish I didn't like was the Pad Thai. I thought the dish was too sweet and lacked the flavorful heat I prefer. Nevertheless, Indo is an eatery that certainly stands out because of its food and ambience. Indo has a sophisticated environment that isn't pretentious but is instead relaxing and inviting. The sushi bar and bar are the hub of the eatery's energy, with seemingly the liveliest of customers choosing those areas so they can laugh and talk incessantly. I most enjoy sitting at the sushi bar. Those desiring more intimate, quieter settings should choose the tables and booth at the rear of the restaurant.