Billing itself as an Indian bistro and bar, Indi-Q recently opened its doors in Armonk in a site that has been vacant for 10 years, but had previously housed India Café.
Jay Patel, Indi-Q’s owner, says he’s been in the restaurant business since he was 16. His family has owned a number of Indian restaurants — currently Tandoori Taste of India in Port Chester. “There is a lack of Indian restaurants in Northern Westchester and a number of our customers in Port Chester come from this area,” Patel says.
The atmosphere in Indi-Q is, as Patel describes it, “simple and contemporary.” There are Indian touches on the walls with sconces and small mirrors. As for the food, he terms it as “classics with a twist.” That starts in the appetizer section of the menu with such selections as Indi-Tacos with a choice of chicken, shrimp, or lamb, or the root fritters which I enjoyed — turnips, yams, onions, and sweet potatoes lightly fried in a chickpea batter and served with a tamarind sauce.
The kitchen has a charcoal clay oven for barbecue specials — the chicken tikka was moist and flavorful. There’s the Classics section with its selection of Curry, Madras or Vindaloo, among others. In the Indi Specials category another member of my party thoroughly enjoyed the lamb rogan josh, slow-braised lamb with an onion-based gravy and a traditional yogurt curry sauce. Of course Indian breads are well represented and there are many vegetarian choices. Our meal ended with delectable gulab jamun, lightly fried milk balls dipped in rosewater and honey syrup.
There’s a nice selection of Indian beers and interesting cocktails such as a green chili Margarita or mango Mojito. At lunch Indi-Q features a price-fixed buffet menu.
Patel notes that Armonk is a great town for restaurants as its residents “support local businesses.” Patel wants Indi-Q to appeal to a wide base of customers — from the area’s businesses to couples and families. “We want people to feel comfortable here, and offer them some fun additions to the Indian dishes they may already know.”
Indi-Q Indian Bistro & BBQ
61 Old Rte 22
Armonk
914.273.5931
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