VA2007 - Indigo

The Art of the Modern Bistro

Photos: Bruce Law
Seen Right: From left to right: Andrew Court, Executive Chef; Omar Halibi, Restaurant Chef.

At Indigo, adjacent to the spectacular lobby at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel, accommodating service is a fine art — and The Art of a Fine Hotel surrounds you in both menu and décor. A bustling Burrard Street corner through muted picture windows juxtaposes the scene within as Indigo soothes the senses, with its splendid surroundings and delicious West Coast tastes, brought brilliantly together by Executive Chef Andrew Court and Restaurant Chef Omar Halabi.

At lunch, as you savour grilled paillard tenderloin, or other clever dishes, you will be fascinated by the colours and textures around you. Notice the art, the vibrant touches that make it all so sensually rewarding. Notice the blue lights in the slate gray wall.

Return for dinner — your choice might be the sesame tempura crusted ahi tuna, an Indigo favourite — and in the evening light the same wall glimmers with the restaurant's namesake hue.

Another stimulating element is the fun, funky, open-kitchen bistro moderne, where the art of the chef is highlighted in full view. More? The patterned, sculpted exterior windows of frosted glass, resembling champagne ice, waves upward into clear panes. Deceptively clear, no outsider can see in. For diners, the night view mutes to a discreet navy.

The seating at Indigo is a warm rainbow of crimson, violet, lemon and avocado. Dramatic scarlet and yellow screens flame up here and there between the tables; and dramatic glassworks glow brilliantly.

The buoyant eclecticism of design is reflected in the menu. "We're versatile," says Jeff Graham, Director of Sales and Marketing. "A casual, spontaneous feel, but at the same time very professional."

"Our strong West Coast ingredient influence comes from our Vancouver base. International visitors, who return again and again, find it consistently appealing." Invariably these visitors inquire about Indigo's prominent selection of B.C. wines and welcome tastings. For the dinner experience, neighbouring Yaletown brings a variety of urban diners. The endless variety of Pacific seafood, the harvests of the Fraser Valley's farms, all presented in a room that constantly delights. All part of the intriguing moods of Indigo.

Menu Highlights

Appetizers

Tangle of Organic Greens
With Tomatoes and Cucumbers tossed in Balsamic Dressing topped with Sun-dried Cranberries

Prawn Saltimbocca
Tiger Prawns wrapped in Prosciutto Di Parma served with Balsamic Reduction and Drizzled with Limoncello Syrup, finished with Sage Oil

Pacific Seafood and Sweet Corn Chowder
With Smokey Bacon and Fresh Cream

Sautée of Clams and Mussels
Manila Clams and P.E.I.Mussels sautéed in Garlic and Ginger, finished in Black Bean Sauce

Entrées

Lamb Tajine
Tender Sweet Lamb Shank Tajine gently cooked with Dates, Apricots, Root Vegetables, Honey and Cinnamon

Grilled Grass-fed Nicola Valley Beef Tenderloin
Thyme Roasted Red Nugget Potatoes, Spring Baby Vegetables topped with a Port Infused Pearl Onion Confit and Cabernet Veal Jus

Sichuan Pepper-Crusted Grilled Ahi Tuna
Spinach Gomae over Wasabi Mashed Potatoes drizzled with a Lemongrass Beurre Blanc

Classic Steak Frites
10oz. Canadian AAA Rib Eye with Pommes Frites, Caesar Salad, Café au Lait Peppercorn Sauce

Desserts

Warm Liquid Centre Chocolate Cake
Served with a Scoop of Crème de Menthe Ice Cream

Strawberry Napoleon
Layers of Crisp Filo, Whipped Cream Cheese and Fresh Strawberries tossed with Vanilla Honey Syrup

Golden Raisin and Croissant Bread Pudding
Golden Raisin's soaked in Jamaican Rum baked with fresh Croissants in a Tahitian Vanilla Custard

Best of the Cellar

White Wines

NK Mip Chardonnay
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc
Kettle Valley Pinot Gris

Red Wines

Morning Bay Pinot Noir
Ravenswood Zinfandel
Oculus Mission Hill

Above: Foreground – Miso Chardonnay sablefish, spring pea, sea bean and fiddlehead morel salad. Background – Prawn saltimbocca with aged balsamic reduction and lymoncello syrup.

Indigo
1088 Burrard Street (at the South Tower Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel), Vancouver, B.C., 604-893-7150
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