Time loves Indigo
Time magazine names Houston restaurant to World's Greatest Places list
National media acclaim for Restaurant Indigo shows no signs of slowing down. Time magazine has named chef Jonny Rhodes 13-seat, tasting menu concept to its list of the World's Greatest Places for 2019.
Indigo is one of only two places in Texas on the list, joining San Antonio art museum Ruby City. Only seven American restaurants are included in the "To Eat and Drink" section of Time's list, which includes everything from the Macallan whisky distillery in Craigellachie, Scotland, to the Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore.
"At Indigo, history is on the menu," the magazine writes. "The restaurant serves 'neo-soul food,' dishes intended to provoke conversation about the history of black and indigenous people in America. For example, a smoked-pastrami main comes with a primer on the different experiences of Italians and African Americans during the Great Migration."
Being included in such lofty company is only the latest time Indigo has been in the spotlight. The restaurant has been included in best new restaurant lists by Texas Monthly, GQ, Food & Wine, and Eater. Rhodes also earned a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination for Rising Star Chef.
“This last year has been such a ride. It’s an incredible honor to be featured on this list going into year two of business," Rhodes said in a statement. "We actually got the official news this morning while we are in NYC prepping for our first James Beard dinner. It’s just motivation for our team to continue to strive for greatness and making our community proud. We are so grateful to everyone that has had a hand in our development."
Currently, Indigo is closed for August, but Rhodes has stayed busy. He's cooking at the James Beard House in New York City on Friday, August 23, and has teamed up with three other Houston chefs to launch the Food Apartheid Dinner Series. Indigo is currently accepting reservations for its fall menu, which begins September 5.
Time polled its editors, contributors, and industry experts to compile the list of museums, hotels, parks, and restaurants. Factors included "quality, originality, sustainability, innovation, and influence." Other American destinations include Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in Disneyland, The Shed in New York City, and the Blackberry Mountain resort in Walland, Tennessee.
