If you’ve ever had the Carne Asada Nachos or the Kaffir Lime Duck at Indigo Grill, chances are, you’re already a huge fan of this Little Italy restaurant. Come this fall, the 12-year-old Cohn Restaurant Group establishment will be making some big changes with a full makeover slated for its interiors and menu.
Known for their very large portion sizes, their foods are perfect for sharing, but difficult for solo diners. The updated menu will come in the form of smaller, more manageable dishes with accessible prices. Focused on Latin and South American cuisine, the restaurant will open up its dishes to more globally-inspired meals with the help of Executive chef and partner, Deborah Scott. Chef Scott will also be bringing on chef Jason Maitland (Arterra, Flavor Del Mar) to help revamp the food with healthier and lighter options. Since of course, San Diegans have a love affair with the beach and look to keep their trim figures all year long. Indigo will also be bulking up their craft cocktails and local beers selection.
To set the scene inside, designer Michael Soriano of The Hotel and Queenstown Public House will modernize the restaurant doing away with its rustic and earthy tones in exchange for more bright colors, contemporary décor, metals and dark wood furnishings. Soriano will be utilizing its corner location to also bring a bigger focus to its outdoor dining area. With restaurants like Craft & Commerce and Queenstown nearby attracting a younger, professional crowd, the reinvented Indigo hopes to do the same with their new look and features.
Since opening their first restaurant in 1981, David and Lesley Cohn have been responsible for bringing 16 restaurants onto the San Diego and Maui scene. Many of their restaurants have gained recognition with awards such as multiple San Diego Gold Medallion Awards, Restaurateur of the Year and Gaslamp Quarter Association Lamplighter awards. Additionally, Chef Scott continues to surprise guests with her exceptional foods and creative pairings, winning awards like Best Chef from San Diego Magazine and San Diego Reader, as well as an “America’s HOT Tables” nod from Condé Nast Traveler in 2006.
While the modernization is taking place, the restaurant hopes to remain open, possibly closing for a week or so prior to its re-opening. If all goes as planned, Indigo Grill should be showcasing its new look to the public sometime this November. Here’s to hoping the menu keeps its nachos just the way they are.
