iNDO — Restaurant in St. Louis

Have you ever left a restaurant and said “that was the best meal I’ve had in ages, and I’ll never eat there again”? What about you and 6 other people? It takes a special (low) level of customer service to negate the exceptional quality of the food at Indo, but they managed to pull it off for us.

We had a group of 8 celebrating a friends birthday. They wouldn’t take a reservation that size so we booked two tables of 4. Fine. We called after doing so to explain the situation and ask if the tables could be pushed together. They said they couldn’t guarantee that but would ensure they were adjacent. On arrival, we broached it again only to be told by the GM that they couldn’t push tables together because the patio was slanted downwards and it could create a drainage issue (??). So from the jump we have half our party yelling at the other half to converse from 4 feet away.

We brought a cake and some paper plates/utensils for after the meal, and when the GM saw us putting the plates down, she insisted on removing all of their table settings and utensils as there “wouldn’t be room” once the food came. This wasn’t remotely true as they serve mostly small plates, and people ended up just requesting real utensils anyway.

When we asked if the cake could be put in the kitchen, we were told there wasn’t room but that they’d put it in an outdoor freezer for us, however there would be a $15 “cake cutting fee.” When the time came, they brought the cake out and set essentially a butter knife next to it. No cutting occurred, but guess what fee still appeared on the checks?

They have a policy that you cannot dine for more than 2 hours, which is not unheard of but hard for a large group celebrating a party. We were seated at 6, and at 7:55 while still eating dessert our checks were slapped on the table, and at 8:10 we were asked to leave. Our server also made a bizarre comment about how his manager was “concerned” about how the mandatory 20% gratuity would work with our two tables. They had already said they didn’t do individual checks, so it was totally unclear what the concern was. They ended up doing one check per table and putting the 20% gratuity on each. Why that required a hushed conversation mid meal remains a mystery.

Last but not least, a member of our party ordered a mixed drink that came watered down. When she brought this to the waiters attention, he said it was “probably just because the tequila is so smooth,” then walked away. No offer to replace or refund, or even an apology.

All of this is a shame because the food was great, and maybe it would be a good place for a date night, but for a group of any significant size I cannot stress enough how unaccomodating, rude, and awkward they are. Some of this stuff would be unacceptable anywhere; some I would maybe expect from a Michelin restaraunt in Manhattan. But considering that I walked out of the restaurant and saw a man across Vandeventer repairing a junker in overalls, I’d have to say maybe Indo has gotten a little big for its britches (and it’s market.)

The only way I’d eat their food again is through a delivery app to avoid interacting with any member of their staff, and even then on principle probably not. If none of the above bothers you, by all means try it as the...

My visit was pre-covid in Feb 2020.

There are no words to describe how wonderful this restaurant is. Make reservations immediately and don't regret spending a little more than usual. The caliber of the chef (James Beard semifinalist for Rising Star Chef of the Year Nick Bognar), the quality of ingredients (flown in fresh from Japan that day), the level of service, and the beautiful plating are worth it. The restaurant is dark, so the photos may not do this place justice. A wonderful date night place!

Parking is in a small lot to the left of the building. There is some street parking, but very limited. For two people, we ordered 5 things and we were satisfied. We could have ordered more, and we sure debated getting another order of the waygu beef, but we resisted.

We started with the shrimp toast. I expected this dish to be shrimp on toast, but it appears that the toast is made up of shrimp! Amazing one of a kind dish I've never had before. It was topped with micro-greens, cellophane noodles for crunch, and a spicy drizzle. Easy to split since its already cut into 4 pieces.

We then received the lamb ribs coated in a sweet/sour glaze and topped with peanuts. The meat fell off the bone easily so you could eat with a fork and knife, but go ahead and use your hands. You'll want to lick the plate once you've eaten all the meat just to get at all the glaze left on the plate.

We then received the isaan hamachi- its a raw fish small plate. Again, you'll want to lick the bowl when you're done with the fish because its marinade is so good.

The Seafood Laksa was filled with crispy salmon, mussels, and prawns in a curry broth. This dish was the only thing we ate that didn't knock my socks off. I've had other bowls of mussels in a broth at other restaurants. The best part of this dish was the crispy salmon- definitely the star of this dish and unlike anything I've had before. I would have liked it to be served with a crusty bread to soak up the remaining broth.

I didn't remember to get a photo of their raw options (nigiri), but we did order one item off that menu: Wagyu A5. It was 2 pieces over rice for $20. That may have been the best bite of the night, but it's hard to decide when everything was out of this world.

I ordered a non-alcoholic cocktail called the Placebo with pineapple, coconut, sugar, and lime. It was like I was on a tropical beach. The flavors paired wonderfully...

Indo is not merely a restaurant, it's a captivating culinary voyage that transports your palate straight to the vibrant flavors of Southeast Asia. Situated in the charming Tower Grove neighborhood of St. Louis, this gem of a place stands as a testament to the extraordinary culinary genius of the owners, whose legacy at Nixta is evident in every nuanced flavor profile that Indo offers.

Stepping inside Indo is like entering a dimly lit sanctuary of gastronomic delight. The decor is sleek, elegant, and subtly Asian, exuding a sense of understated sophistication. The intimate, albeit somewhat cramped, setting makes it an ideal haunt for those special, romantic occasions. If you're seeking a dining space bathed in bright light, you might find Indo's ambiance a tad too subdued. Yet, it's precisely this dark, cozy environment that adds to the charm and mystique of this extraordinary establishment.

The food, however, is where Indo truly shines. It is a symphony of flavors, a culinary kaleidoscope that leaves you mesmerized. The Spicy Tuna Handroll is a revelation; it dances on your tongue and entices your palate with its invigorating spice. The Yellowtail Sashimi, a treat for seafood enthusiasts, is arguably the best in St. Louis. This delicacy is a testament to the quality of fish at Indo, and it could even rival some of the best New York has to offer.

The Gyoza and Shrimp Toast are each a sensory delight, their textures and flavors perfectly harmonizing to create a gastronomic masterpiece. The Cabbage Salad is an exercise in simplicity, yet it bursts with a freshness that will make you fall in love with greens all over again. The Palm Sugar Ribs are a succulent treat, while the Sake Yaki and Vegetable Crunchy Rice provide a hearty, fulfilling experience.

However, the star of the show is undoubtedly the hand rolls. Delectable enough to warrant ordering at least two per person, they are the epitome of Indo's culinary excellence.

Indo is not just a top-tier Asian restaurant in Missouri, but it undoubtedly stands as a beacon of exceptional South Asian cuisine in the Midwest. It is an experience that transcends dining, offering a journey through an exotic landscape of flavors and textures. This isn't just a meal; it's a culinary adventure that promises to delight and surprise...