Indochine

Indochine is the latest in Jacksonville's rapidly expanding number of Thai Restaurants. Each new opening seems to up the ante on food and setting. It wasn't too long ago that Lime Leaf opened and blew away the competition with its exquisite food and sleek interior. Now Indochine has come along to raise the bar once again.

I've always admired the stairwell next to the Burrito Gallery. The wrought iron window set into a worn brick facade with aging rafters visible above the concrete stairs adorned with their own wrought iron railings. The food at the Burrito Gallery is enough of an attraction to warrant a visit but the stairwell is one of the handful of iconic images that I must take in to complete my trip downtown. Indochine won me over immediately by moving in above the Burrito Gallery and thereby forcing me to ascend this work of art.

The interior lives up to the magnificent entrance. Bare brick walls, natural lighting, and abundant greenery make for a very relaxing and aesthetically pleasing setting. We were lucky enough to be given a windown seat and enjoyed watching the world go by below.

The Chicken Red Curry, my go to meal and measuring stick of sorts at Thai restaurants, was the best I've had so far and that's considering some incredibly impressive competition. The vegetables were still fairly snappy, the chicken precisely cooked, and (most important of all) the curry sauce perfectly balanced. Despite the over-abundance of food, I was unable to stop myself from scoffing the entire plate and left myself nothing to eat for the following lunch. Luckily I was given leftovers from the Mixed Vegetables plate, an assortment of vegetables wok fried in a light brown sauce. The description may seem rather bland but the meal itself was very flavorful.

After recently finding a new favorite in Lime Leaf, I think Indochine has now taken its place at the top. Proximity means I'll happily frequent my former favorite but for recommendations and special occasions, this is a great destination to put on the list. I look forward to seeing what the next challenger will bring to the table but I'm skeptical that anyone can beat Indochine on location alone.




Indochine
21 E Adams Street Ste 200
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 598-5303

Lime Leaf Thai

Once in a while a restaurant comes along and takes a cuisine you love and exceeds your expectations of it by so much that your prior experiences with that particular cuisine are practically sullied; your memories lose that glow and all of those amazing meals you thought you had are now just mediocre.

I love Thai food but I try not to indulge too often as it can be quite rich. But the variety of flavors and the uniqueness of the dishes is hard to resist. Nevertheless, despite hearing of Lime Leaf's opening many months back, resist I did. After all, it's just another Thai restaurant, right?

Based on decor and ambiance alone, Lime Leaf is a prime location for an intimate meal that will surely impress. The minimalistic elegance perfectly suits it's location in Tapestry Park, Southside's newest little pocket of swank. But it's not the atmosphere that made our meal so wonderful, although it sure did help. What puts them ahead of the rest, in my humble opinion, is that Lime Leaf makes the most delicious Thai food I have ever tasted.

Again, I really love Thai cuisine but it can occasionally be a bit rich. A little too much oil or a sauce that's a touch too thick can exacerbate the post-meal lethargy. My dish at Lime Leaf, the Hot Peppers, was wonderfully balanced in flavor and consistency with its crisp vegetables, light sauce, and perfectly cooked chicken. I've had this very same dish elsewhere before and since, and I'm simultaneously delighted and sad to say that Lime Leaf's version is unparalleled in every way.

The fresh, veggie spring rolls were also some of the best I've ever tried. It's a bit of a shame that there are no vegetarian fried spring rolls but there are plenty of other vegetarian options on the menu; as with most Thai restaurants, the majority of dishes can be made with tofu instead of meat.

It's quite sad to consider passing up great old restaurants that have served me well in the past but with the vivid memories of that marvelous meal swirling around in my head, I know where I plan to go next time the Thai craving hits. That is, of course, unless someone introduces me to something that can top it.



Lime Leaf
‪9822 Tapestry Park Circle,‬
‪Jacksonville, FL‬‎
‪(904) 645-8568‬‎