Sunday, January 6, 2008

Chicago 2008 - Marigold

Marigold, an intimate nouveau Indian restaurant in the Uptown neighborhood (just north of Lawrence on Broadway, betwixt a few new trendy bars), mixes traditional cuisine and modern preparations. The food was solid, and all the appetizers were a hit with our group. Crispy lamb and potato samosas, lightly fried calamari and particularly the duck confit seasoned with traditional Indian spices started out an excellent meal. The entrees were served with an artistic pyramid of light basmati rice, and the naan and saag paneer were both well executed side dishes. The food was less spicy than one might expect, and the chicken dishes were more bland than a typical Indian preparation, but the ingredients were of the highest quality.

The atmosphere, while described by some reviewers as "romantic", also suited our large group (of 10). The interior is stylish and makes you feel like you are in a posh yet understated lounge with your party. The service was attentive but not pushy - we felt like we could have stayed all night, noshing on a fine selection of desserts (such as the "Kama Sutra" chocolate cake). Overall, an excellent addition to the Chicago restaurant scene and one which serves up authentic cuisine in a new American format.

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